Western Ranch Activities at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch

July 1, 2020 by Hidden Doorways

Live out your dreams of a Wild West adventure at The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch which is set on a 30,000 acre working cattle ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming. Surrounded by prairies, mountains, creeks and rivers, this luxury ranch is perched in the center of the true American West. Meet Matt Anderson, Director of Activities, who helps guests immerse into the western way of life at this all-inclusive authentic ranch experience at The Lodge & Spa, French Creek Sportsmen’s Club, and The Farm. A wide range of outdoor activities are available for every type of enthusiast along with the proper equipment required to enhance your experience.

What is your background and when did you get involved with Brush Creek Ranch Luxury Collection?

My background started guiding for fly fishing and outfitting. The Platte River Valley is what drew me to this location and it’s how I found Brush Creek Ranch. I’d been guiding in this area for over 8 years and floated through The Sanger Ranch. My dream was to be able to wade fish Millie’s Riffle and swing wet flies. The first year I joined the team at Brush Creek Ranch, the owners, The White’s purchased Sanger Ranch so I was able to fulfill my dream and caught a big brown on my first cast.

A lot of travelers are seeking places where they can connect with nature after this quarantine. What are some unique activities that allow guests to connect with the Ranch’s wide open spaces on 30,000 acres while celebrating the true spirit of the American West?

There’s nothing like horseback riding and exploring our 30,000 acres of untouched wilderness. We’ve shot some amazing video content which you can view here.

Can you walk us through an ideal day exploring Brush Creek Ranch?

Start your day off with Sunrise Yoga on Falcons Peak then enjoy breakfast in the Trailhead Lodge. After breakfast, spend the morning wade fishing the North Platte River. Following lunch, take a short horseback ride and end the activity portion of your day with a deep tissue massage. Afterwards, spend some quiet time in your cabin while you get ready for cocktails and lawn games. Enjoy cocktails by our mixologist followed by dinner at The Cheyenne Club. For the finale, take a deep dive into The Farms’ Spirit Vault or join Afterglow at The Saloon while roasting s’mores by the campfire under the stars.

What is your personal favorite activity available at Brush Creek Ranch?

I absolutely love fly fishing on the North Platte or Encampment River– specifically floating.

What makes your riding program better than others?

At Brush Creek Ranch, we offer a variety of experiences and can cater the experience and interest level of the guest. Here we have so much more than trail rides ranging from novice to expert riders. In the true spirit of the American west, guests can saddle up for team penning, barrel rides, cattle drives and more. We’re very fortunate to have some of the most experiences riders in the business as our Wranglers.

What activities can children do with (and without) the whole family, especially for those missing camp this year?

Children, four-nine years old, will love our Lil Wranglers programming which tries to mimic all activities offered to adults just on a smaller scale. Children have an opportunity to ride horses, go fishing, ranger tours, and try archery. Horseback riding, Scenic Float trips, aerial ropes course and paintball tournaments are a hit with families.

What types of special activities do you recommend for groups or multi-gen families?

We recommend our Aerial Ropes course, Scenic Float trips, ATV/Razor adventures, Horseback, Gun Range, Paintball, Hiking.

Which activities may appeal to the extreme sports enthusiasts?

Rock Climbing and ATV adventures are a hit with sports enthusiasts. For those who prefer to climb, guests can experience some of the best top rope and sport routes that the Rocky Mountain region has to offer. Just across from our Ranch, there are over 38 bolted routes on natural rock ranging from 5.6 – 5.12 (very easy to incredibly difficult). The views are absolutely breathtaking as you are climbing.

What are types of guest experiences are available at The Farm this summer and fall?

We are offering guests Greenhouse Tours, Cooking/Baking Classes, Wine Tastings, Spirit Vault Whiskey Tastings. Stay tuned for our goat program which we are adding soon. For those who may not be familiar, The Farm at Brush Creek opened just last year and offers a range of epicurean experiences that showcase our ranch’s seed-to-table ethos. The Farm is a 40,000-square-foot complex with a brewery, distillery, creamery, cellar, bakery, green house, spirit vault, wine cellar and event space at The Saddle Barn. The Cheyenne Club, our chef-driven world-class restaurant, is helmed by Chef Angus McIntosh who specializes in seasonal dishes made from our own greenhouse-grown vegetables and, naturally, Wagyu beef.

What are some summer activities not to miss?

All of them!

What are some lesser known activities?

Archery, Rock Climbing, and Mountain Biking are some of our lesser known activities.

Can you walk us through the fishing experience at Brush Creek Ranch? What is the experience like and what makes it unique?

All of our fly fishing guides are Orvis endorsed. We offer guests inclusive and à la carte fly fishing options. Before heading out, you meet and greet your guide and head to the Outfitters Shop to get outfitted with your gear and then head to the water. Our water access is very unique ranging from small still water ponds, small creeks, all the way up to property on the Encampment and North Platte River. You have over 20 miles of private water and welcome all levels from those who have not seen a fly rod to expert anglers.

Which type of fish do people catch and how many miles of fishing is there along the North Platte River?

Guests have access to fishing over 20 miles of private water; ten of which are on the North Platte River. The river is filled with all trout and you have the opportunity to catch all sub-species including Rainbow, Brown, Brook, Cutthroat.

How has Green Mountain enhanced your winter activities?

Located 25 minutes from the gates of Brush Creek Ranch, Green Mountain is completely surrounded by National Forest lands, combining a secluded outdoor adventure with awe-inspiring views. Brush Creek Ranch Luxury Collection has exclusive access to this private 600-acre mountain getaway offering incredible downhill skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels, miles of wilderness for snowshoeing and cross country skiing terrain throughout the property. Green Mountain has substantially enhanced our winter activities. Adding our Downhill ski resort has surpassed all of our expectations and our first year was very successful. It’s hard to beat having direct access to a private mountain with fresh tracks on every run.

Do you provide all the equipment & gear for the various activities?

Yes, we do and outfit guests with all of the proper equipment before heading out.

How far in advance do you recommend confirming activities?

Our team will reach out approximately 14 days prior to arrival for all-inclusive experiences and at that time you can fill your itinerary or just book your first couple of days. Our à la carte experiences can be booked anytime prior to arrival and should be booked in advance.

How are you handling social distancing measures with guest activities?

When we’re in close quarters with staff and guests, we follow all precautionary measures with PPE. While we are out on the actual activity and outdoors in wide open spaces, it allows for natural social distancing. Our team takes extra precaution so all equipment is wiped down between guests if it’s not naturally being disinfected by UV rays.

Contact:

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch
66 Brush Creek Ranch Road
Saratoga, WY 82331
Telephone: +1-307-327-5284