National Parks - Goosewing Ranch

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

June 2, 2019/0 Comments/in Wyoming /by [email protected]

Are you searching for new travel destinations? Checking new states off the bucket list? Then Wyoming should be way up there on the priority list. From Jackson Hole’s attractions to the nearby national parks and Goosewing Ranch dude ranch, this is the trifecta of reasons to try a Wyoming vacation.

Wyoming tends to fly low on the radar when it comes to vacations. However, there are several gems that make this state stand out. In the northwestern corner lie Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park, which attract tourists in the summer and avid skiers and snowboarders in the winter. As a result of these famous spots, Jackson Hole has flourished.

Wyoming: Just the Facts

Capital: Cheyenne

Nickname: Cowboy State, Equality State

Motto: Equal Rights

Admitted to Union: July 10, 1890 – 44th State

Size: 97,914 square miles, 9th largest state

State Sport: Rodeo

Highest Point: Gannett Peak, 13,804 feet

Lowest Point: Belle Fourche River, 3,100 feet

Average Annual Precipitation: 14.5 inches

Population (2010 Census): 563,626

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

1. National Parks

The national parks draw a big crowd to Jackson and the Greater Yellowstone area. Yellowstone alone entices about 4 million people per year; the heaviest concentration falls between May and September.

Wyoming is home to two national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone, as well as national monuments, historic sites and trails.

Did you know? 96 percent of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming!

With 563,000 residents among 62+ million acres, there’s one resident per every 111 acres.

Learn more about Yellowstone National Park:

Visiting Yellowstone National Park: Tips for What You Should Know

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton links:

Grand Teton National Park Things to Do

What to Expect on a Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari

2. Jackson Hole

You may have heard about this region named Jackson Hole. Did you know it is just a popular nickname for the entire Wyoming valley and not an official location on a map? Back in the late 1800s, Davey Jackson was a famous tracker, and people referred to a valley surrounded by tall mountains as a HOLE. So that’s how Jackson Hole’s name came to be.

The town of Jackson is a historic Western town. Its Town Square and its famous antler arches are the hub of the town, along with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Learn more about the area at Wyoming Office of Tourism and read more about what sets Jackson Hole apart from other destinations.

3. Goosewing Ranch

Aside from being close to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, our ranch sits on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and is the perfect entry point into the Gros Ventre Wilderness. (True to its name, the wilderness has remained untouched by all motorized vehicles – accessible only by foot, horseback, or UTV.)

So if you ask us why you should pick Wyoming, or why you should pick Jackson Hole as your vacation destination, just take a look at this piece of country that is still truly wild. Not many people get to experience our isolated paradise.

Learn more about Goosewing Ranch:

8 Reasons to Take a Dude Ranch Vacation

Jackson Hole Glamping

What to Pack for a Dude Ranch Vacation

Summer is on the horizon, and that means VACATION! Dude ranch vacations offer some of the most active, adventurous experiences for families, couples, and even multigenerational or solo travelers. As unique as a ranch vacation is, it also requires some specific items to make the trip a success. Check out this dude ranch packing list to get prepared for the ultimate outdoor vacation.

The countdown has begun and your summer vacation is quickly approaching. Now begins the task of preparing and packing. Packing for any vacation can be a challenge, and a guest ranch is no different. Whether you plan to pick up some essential items in Jackson, or bring them from home, we would like to give you some suggestions on what to pack and expect.

Dude Ranch Packing Tips

Remember, Goosewing Ranch is located at 7,400 feet in the Gros Ventre Mountains, the sun is very intense, and the weather can change drastically very quickly. Typically the summer months in Jackson Hole are very enjoyable, with mild temperatures and a dry climate. Expect, warm, and dry days, with chilly temperatures in the evenings and nights.

The weather can be very different as you travel from Yellowstone to Jackson to the Ranch. We recommend always carrying an extra layer with you while traveling through western Wyoming. The ranch, town, and surrounding National Parks are all very causal and laid-back. You will be welcomed into most establishments in causal summer attire, or your cowboy getup.

Aside from you cowboy or cowgirl gear we suggest that you bring along sunblock of SPF 15 or higher, lip balm with SPF, and make sure to apply throughout the day. Hats are a great tool in keeping you cool, and aid in sunburn prevention. A cowboy hat works well, because it keeps the sun off your face and neck. Just make sure it is a snug fit or purchase a stampede strap to keep it on your head.

We also recommend bringing a thin long sleeve shirt; this will also help keep you cool and from getting too much sun exposure. We have found that fishing or western button up shirts work the best. For horseback riding, you will want to have a comfortable pair of jeans, and slick soled boots with about a ½” heel. We recommend this style of boot for safety reasons; bulky hiking boots could get stuck and shoes without heels can slide to far forward being very dangerous for the rider. Boots are fun for a night of line dancing, also.

There can be a drastic temperature fluctuation between day and night, so we suggest that you bring a fleece or light jacket. For those of you coming in June or late September, bring a heavier jacket or more layers.

Don’t forget shorts, t-shirts, and comfortable hiking or walking shoes for touring the local area and parks. And a bathing suit for the pool, hot tub, and sauna!

If you are planning on rafting the Snake River or floating the Gros Ventre, pack a pair of water shoes or sandals that will stay on your feet.

For your convenience, we have a guest laundry facility located near our cabins. We will provide all riders with rain slickers in case of an afternoon shower. We also have a number of items available for purchase in of gift shop, such as gloves, hoodies, vests, lip balm, bug spray, sunblock, ball caps, and more.

In your cabin for your pleasure are hair dryers, robes, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and eco-sential bath products. If you are planning on going on an overnight pack trip, we suggest bringing wool socks, warm hat, and an extra warm layer.

Average Temps at Goosewing Ranch:
June High and Low: 68 / 35
July High and Low: 76 / 42
August High and Low: 75 / 43
September High and Low: 65 / 33

Feel free to print and use this packing list to get ready!

Please feel free to contact at 1-888-733-5251 or 1-307-733-5251 us or visit our website for more information.

And check out the Dude Ranchers’ Association website for more dude ranch packing tips.

Another Holiday Special to Ring in the New Year!

December 27, 2017/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch News /by [email protected]

Although all the packages have been unwrapped, we’ve been filled with the holiday spirit and feel compelled to offer another Goosewing Ranch holiday special. And this one is a real winner: a three day package that adds on a fourth day activity for free! If you’ve been dreaming of a dude ranch vacation to Wyoming with side trips to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, or Jackson Hole.

Ahh, still glowing from the holiday magic, we at Goosewing Ranch are now looking forward to 2018. Because the start of a new year means it will soon be time to open our doors to our returning family and new guests! So we’re harnessing that holiday happiness and turning that into one huge holiday special.

Goosewing Ranch Holiday Special

Those of you looking for a three night dude ranch experience so you’ll have time to also do Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, or Grand Teton (or all of the above), this is it!

holiday special from Goosewing Ranch to ring in the new year-horseback riding activity

Grand Teton views and great horseback riding-this could be your free extra activity if you book this special!

Get the most out of your limited time with this special offer: a three night package that includes a FREE extra activity day. Book a three night package from either Thursday, June 21 – Sunday, June 24 or Thursday, July 5 – Sunday, July 8 and all party members will receive a free activity day with an early check-in on Thursday. This is over a $200 value per person.

Not valid with any other specials or offers. For new reservations only. We reserve the right to adjust package as needed. Valid from December 18, 2017 – January 2, 2018. Must mention 2017 Holiday Special.

If these dates work for you, book now! Hopefully you’ll be toasting an upcoming trip to Goosewing Ranch as you ring in the New Year. We would love to have you!

Celebrate Your National Parks with Goosewing Ranch!

May 4, 2016/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by [email protected]

This year, the National Park Service celebrates its 100^th birthday, and to celebrate, fourth graders are being given free park passes for them and their families.

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest park in the United States. It was established in 1872 as an Act signed by President Grant. It wasn’t until August 25, 1916 that the National Park Service was created to protect and preserve our beautiful parks, and since 1916 over four hundred parks have been created. The NPS has grown tremendously over the years. They rely on 22,000 employees and 221,000 volunteers to maintain the parks—and no wonder they need so many people, as Yellowstone alone draws over 4 million visitors a year, usually between the months of May to September.

Goosewing Ranch makes an ideal location to stay while visiting the parks. Not only can you take advantage of the free park pass given to your fourth grader—visiting the parks with ease from our location—you can enjoy the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the beautiful, untouched wilderness that surrounds the ranch, as well. The UTVs available for guests are a fun way to get off the ranch and explore everything nature has to offer.

This is a historic year for the parks. By celebrating 100 years of service, the NPS campaign has shifted public focus to the future, and preserving National Parks for another 100 years to come. This will be a celebratory year to visit Jackson Hole.

For your child to receive his or her park pass, go to everykidinapark.gov. Passes are valid until August 31, 2016. This year’s third graders are eligible to receive their park pass starting in September 2016.

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This post was written by Sara Massery.

Survival of the Fittest

June 3, 2015/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by [email protected]

Gros Ventre Slide seen from Shadow Mtn.

On June 23, 1925, a landslide on Sheep Mountain dammed up the Gros Ventre River with a high tower of rocks and dirt. Lower Slide Lake was born in the following flooding, only six miles from the town of Kelly, Wyoming. Over the next two years, the lake filled in, and the nature-made dam held. But in May of 1927, just before a huge election between Kelly and Jackson, a portion of the dam broke. The town of Kelly—which was favored to win—suddenly found itself under six feet of water, at least temporarily, and Jackson “won by a landslide.”

When you drive by Slide Lake, the scar of earth is still apparent on the mountain; an ugly welt of naked dirt among a landscape of crisp green pines. At the edge of the road above the lake you can see the gravel and rocks that were pushed as far as they would go and then abandoned, broken and forgotten about. Long-dead trees stand in solidarity near the center of the lake, barren and eerie but still very much present. There were things interrupted here, and the land can’t forget it yet.

Coming to Goosewing Ranch, I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to fall in love with the area, but I wasn’t sure if it was possible. I dreamed of being so happy here that I would stay, and that has a lot to do with where my life is headed: straight into a tunnel of Unknown, where thinking of my future is exactly like being caught in a landslide. When I got here, it almost felt like this was life pushing the pause button. Work here… and then what?

There is a group of trees at the base of Sheep Mountain that were not always there. Their place of origin was at the top of the mountain. When the landslide happened, the trees went with it. But instead of dying, uprooted, they replanted themselves. And we’re not talking a few trees, but a square mile of them. They found a safe place and stuck with it. The trees you can see today are the same ones from 1925, and that says something about these trees’ commitment to existence.

That’s the thing about sliding down a mountainside, or flying across the country to live in a new place: it’s foreign, it’s terrifying, but it’s most definitely survivable. And maybe it’s better than where we started, even if we don’t know how long this haven is going to last.

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This is Sara Massery’s first season at Goosewing Ranch, where she is the Office Assistant. She hails from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and has just completed her B.A. in English Writing and Literature at Emmanuel College. She’s very excited for the summer ahead!

7 Reasons your next Family Reunion should be at a Jackson Hole Guest Ranch…

March 6, 2015/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch Activities, Goosewing Ranch Amenities, Goosewing Ranch News, Guest Travel Blog, Our Pool Area, Outdoor Hot Tub, Outdoor Pool, Shaded Cocktail Area, Spa Treatments, Summer at Goosewing Ranch /by [email protected]

Planning a family reunion for any size gathering can be stressful. With such a wide range of ages and diverse interest, it is hard to choose a venue that will please everyone. Well, we believe we have found the solution to pleasing all. Goosewing Ranch, in Jackson Hole Wyoming, has something for everyone; no matter their age or interest.

1. Activities: Having something that can keep everyone entertained is key. Goosewing Ranch has activities for all ages and abilities. There is horseback riding for beginners and advanced riders. Target shooting, archery, UTV exploring, hiking, wine tasting, pool and spa facilities, arts and crafts, and even cattle work. Let us handle the details and you can just relax and enjoy your family. All these great activities are found right on the ranch.

2. Menu planning: From the young to the refined to the just plan picky…we have a menu option to that should satisfy all. We know that you all want to eat together and enjoy each others company over a savory meal, but that not everyone enjoys the same type of foods. At this Jackson Hole guest ranch you can eat together and enjoy the food of your preference. With a menu for children, adults and the ability to accommodate dietary requests and restrictions, we have something hearty and delicious for all taste-buds. The dining experience is also second to none, with breakfasts made to order, adventure based lunches, plated dinners and even cookouts, you will get a variety culinary options and dining experiences.

3. A Place to Disconnect to Reconnect: A family guest ranch is a great place to bond with your extended family through activities you might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. Goosewing Ranch allows for families to talk without the constant distraction of phone calls and text messages, a place to escape the daily grind. This is a place where you feel safe letting the cousins run free, while the adults reminisce their childhood around a glowing fire with a glass of wine. This is a place where kids can be kids and adults can disconnect and reconnect as a family. Embrace each other and enjoy growing as a family through the various ranch activities and experiences.

4. Making Memories through Adventure: What better way to bond and embrace each other than through the many adventures you will experience on and around a ranch. Watch each other shine while trying something new. You might just find an adventure based activity you can’t live without.

5. An exclusive all-inclusive Family Vacation: With so much included in your package you won’t have to worry about what is for dinner, where you will explore tomorrow, or who is paying for the activity. Goosewing Ranch is an exclusive guest ranch with all-inclusive package deals. You will have meals, lodging, activities, and spa treatments for the entire family included in one package rate.

6. Give the gift of Memories: The world we live in seems to be all about staying connected and instant gratification. A family reunion at a guest ranch is a gift you give yourself and your family, it is a gift that will last for generations. The gift of memories! We have been fortunate enough to watch families grow as they return year after year, generation after generation. This is a special place made for creating special family memories.

7. Educational Fun: From the historic western frontier town of Jackson Hole to our nations first National Park, Yellowstone. You are sure to leave with many fun facts. The best learning environment is a fun and activity one, so what better place to get a little vacation education then in Jackson Hole Wyoming at a Guest Ranch. You will learn about the wildlife, the cowboys and Indians, and the mountain men that were as wild and free as the wind blowing across the top of the Tetons.

Come join us at Goosewing Ranch in Jackson Hole Wyoming for your next family escape!

All-inclusive and National Park vacations..Jackson Hole has it all!

April 5, 2012/0 Comments/in Goosewing Ranch News /by [email protected]

Planning a family vacation or personal getaway can be a very overwhelming… Just deciding a region to visit is difficult. What will everyone enjoy, what is our budget, where should we go, what do we want to do, what does the area have to offer; these are just a few of the questions that help narrow the search. Then the more people and different age groups you throw into the mix only seems complicates things. When choosing a vacation for a family reunion, or just a private getaway, western Wyoming has a lot to offer…This year escape to Wyoming, where there is something for everyone!
The United States has 58 National Parks, and Wyoming is home of the Nation’s first, Yellowstone National Park. Bordering Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park, with breath-taking mountain views, and abundant wildlife. Touring the country’s National Parks is a great way to get in touch with nature, have an educational experience, and see some of the most spectacular parts of our country. Another great option while visiting Yellowstone or Grand Teton is to visit guest or dude ranch. Ranches are typically all-inclusive vacations, including everything from taxes and gratuities to lodging, meals, and activities. Some of the basic activities one might experience on a guest ranch are horseback riding, tubing or rafting the rivers, roping, line dancing, target shooting, hiking, mountain bike riding and much more. Guest Ranches that are members of the Dude Ranchers Association are held to many high standards of service and operation. By choosing a ranch from the DRA you are practically guaranteed to have a wonderful vacation. At Goosewing Ranch we provide our guests with abundant, savory meals prepared by our in house chefs, authentic western hospitality with modern amenities, activities to keep everyone entertained, and a spa for those who wish to relax or relive sore muscles after a day of exhilarating experiences. Also, enjoy viewing wildlife in the Gros Ventre valley, or exploring the Bridger-Teton National forest on one of the Polaris Rangers. Guest ranches aren’t just horses, and barbed wire, it’s more of leather and lace, a rustic setting with resort amenities.
It is important to remember that there are many different types of vacations available out there. Why limit yourself to the same beach vacation, when you can have an all-inclusive guest ranch vacation and visit a historic National Park? Don’t think “City Slickers”, think of a true family vacation with experiences that will keep you smiling for years to come.

Posts

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

Wyoming: Just the Facts

Three Reasons to Choose a Wyoming Vacation

1. National Parks

2. Jackson Hole

3. Goosewing Ranch

What to Pack for a Dude Ranch Vacation

Dude Ranch Packing Tips

Another Holiday Special to Ring in the New Year!

Goosewing Ranch Holiday Special

Celebrate Your National Parks with Goosewing Ranch!

Survival of the Fittest

7 Reasons your next Family Reunion should be at a Jackson Hole Guest Ranch…

All-inclusive and National Park vacations..Jackson Hole has it all!

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