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Echo Valley Ranch Resort |
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Three Bars Guest and Cattle Ranch |
Echo Valley Ranch Resort
Not far off the original Caribou Trail of Canada's great Gold Rush days you'll find the Echo Valley Ranch Resort. Just an hour and a half west of Kamloops, this adult-oriented dude ranch doubles as a full-fledged spa. After a day of riding on horseback through the alpine hinterlands, head on over to the sauna, outdoor hot tub, or indoor pool, and let any aches and pains melt away. Try your hand at moving cattle on this working ranch, or pan for gold on the historic Fraser River. The whitewater rafting, fly fishing, and hiking are all spectacular and make for a great change of pace. Come dinnertime, the gourmet fare will confirm that you're at a first-class destination resort.
Three Bars Guest and Cattle Ranch
Turn your pony southeast toward the Bavarian town of Cranbrook, and then mosey into the heart of the Purcell Mountains. That's where you'll find Three Bars Guest and Cattle Ranch, a luxury outfit with access to 35,000 acres of gorgeous alpine scenery. Whether you want to be a true cowhand, take in some blue-ribbon fly fishing on the St. Mary's River, or merely relax in luxury, this is the place to indulge your passions. But that isn't all there is to do here: You could try your hand at archery, hiking, or river rafting, or make use of the excellent facilities that include an indoor riding arena, a tennis court, Jacuzzi, indoor swimming pool, and a hot tub. After a hearty home-cooked ranch feast, gather around the campfire, or join in a game of cards with the wranglers. Come dusk, head off to a cozy log cabin to settle into some prime shut-eye.
Top of the World Ranch
In the same neck of the woods you'll find another classic Canadian spread aptly named Top of the World Ranch. Perched high on a rock shelf overlooking the Purcell Mountains and the Kootenay River Valley, this dude ranch is truly one of a kind. The folks here are mighty proud of their stable of 50-plus horses, all of which are kept fit and in fine shape. Ride through unspoiled alpine wilderness, join in a cattle drive, canoe nearby Loon Lake, and fish some of the best trout streams of the Canadian Rockies. For adult history buffs and young buckaroos there's Fort Steele, a restored turn-of-the-century pioneer village just down the road. But you'll want to save your appetite for the ranch dinner bell, where the fresh and tasty home cooking includes everything from grilled salmon to roast turkey. Just a few yards away is your cozy log cabin, complete with front porch, private bath, and handmade log furniture.
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