Dude ranch jobs in the United States are plentiful. A combination of low pay, long hours, and close quarters with co-workers leads to a high employment turnover rate at guest ranches. The seasonal work appeals to many, though, allowing them to see parts of the country they otherwise never would and meet a variety of people. I have spent several years working in the kitchens, cabins, offices, and barns of dude ranches and have put together a guide for anyone considering this line of work, from finding guest ranch jobs to surviving the season with your sanity intact.
The Reality of Dude Ranch Work
When you visit the websites of most guest ranches, they warn you up front to expect long work hours. Ranches will vary, but typically you will work five-and-a-half to six days. You may only work eight hours, but these hours might be spread out, consuming most of your day. For instance, as part of the waitstaff, you may work breakfast from 6-9 am, have a couple of hours off, report back for lunch from noon-2 pm, have the afternoon off, and then work dinner from 6-9 pm.
A lot of ranches will state in their employment contract that you must be ready to work where needed. This means that although you may be hired as a wrangler, you should be prepared to clean rooms if there is a shortage of housekeeping staff.
Wages are usually paid by monthly salary. Many ranches have started reducing this salary and offer instead an end-of-the-season “bonus” to ensure workers stick around for the entire season.
Dude ranches are in the hospitality business. Like any other companies in the hospitality industry, they rely on good customer service. There will be difficult guests and there will be delightful guests. Either way it is important to maintain a courteous, professional demeanor with them.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of working on a dude ranch is dealing with co-workers. The housing most ranches offers to employees is dormitory-style. You will probably have at least one roommate. You will also often be expected to eat meals family-style with fellow employees. This means you will be living, eating, and working with the same group of people the entire season.
Consider all of these factors before seeking a dude ranch job. They may be pros or cons depending on your personality and circumstances.
Finding a Dude Ranch Job
The most prolific source for guest ranch or any seasonal work is the Cool Works website. It catalogs jobs by region and type, and allows you to find current openings in its Help Wanted Now section. See the Additional Resources section at the end of this article for the link to their website and many others listing guest ranch jobs.
For summer ranch jobs, the best time to begin your job search is during the preceding fall. Many ranches begin the hiring process in October or November. Winter ranch jobs vary, but the search often begins in early summer for the following season. Oftentimes an employee will change their mind before the season begins, not show up, or leave shortly after arriving, though, so check with ranches for vacancies.
The Jobs
A typical ranch will employ a kitchen staff, housekeeping staff, maintenance crew, wranglers, and office personnel. Depending on the size of the ranch and what they offer to guests, they may also need childcare, masseuses, personal trainers, ranch hands, golf instructors, fishing guides, or any other number of specialized employees.
Housekeeping, waitstaff, and dishwashing positions are easy to come by. There are fewer openings for chefs, maintenance people, and office personnel, though, you will need a resume and relevant references if applying for those positions.
The most coveted dude ranch positions seem to be the wrangler jobs. The application pool for these is large and competitive. You need to not only be a proficient rider, but have experience in all aspects of horse care and be willing and able to instruct novice riders. Be prepared to provide evidence of your horse experience in the form of personal references from a previous employer in the equine industry or a former FFA or 4-H advisor. Some ranches go so far as to request a video of you riding and saddling a horse.
If you have little horse experience or no way to provide documentation of it, and still covet a wrangler job, I would suggest this: accept another position on a ranch. With the head wrangler’s permission, spend your spare time at the barn, NOT getting underfoot or being obtrusive, but helping as needed. Shovel manure, fill grain buckets, sweep the tack room, etc. Go out on as many rides as possible. This will either allow you to showcase the riding skills you have or improve them as needed. Ask if you can unsaddle your horse, if you know how. If not, ask if someone can show you when they’re not busy. Volunteer to saddle and unsaddle your own horse from then on.
This is all with the head wrangler’s permission, of course. The point is to show that you are willing to work. If you are not a horse expert, it shows you are willing to learn. And many times, the head wrangler is willing to work with someone and hire them the following season. Then they know for sure the abilities of the perspective employee and have one less stranger to hire.
Surviving the Season
Summer guest ranches generally open in May or early June and close sometime in early fall. Winter ranches have a longer season, opening in early fall and remaining open until the middle or end of May. There are a few year-around ranches as well, but those tend to hire more permanent employees. In order to make it through an entire season and get your end-of-the-season bonus, keep the following in mind:
•Summer ranches, especially the large ones, can be rowdy places. While some prohibit any alcohol on the premises, most do not. Because of the seasonal nature of these summer jobs, the majority are filled by college students. You may find the dormitories a little loud. Be prepared for this. If this worries you, try looking for work on a smaller ranch.
•If at all possible bring your own vehicle. Most ranches are not within walking distance of stores or other facilities. Relying on the kindness of those with cars can be inconvenient.
•You will be fed all the breakfast, lunch, and supper you can eat at most any ranch. If allowed, it is still nice to have your own small refrigerator, microwave, and/or toaster oven to store and prepare snacks and beverages in your own room. A few ranches have a common area for employees that may come equipped with a fridge, microwave, telephone, etc., but most do not.
•Spend time exploring the area. If you are near Yellowstone, buy a park pass. If you are in southern Arizona, get a passport and visit Mexico. One of the biggest mistakes I made my first season was spending too much time partying with fellow workers either on the ranch or in local bars and not nearly enough discovering my beautiful surroundings.
•And finally…Just Say No. Many ranches now conduct drug tests, both at the beginning of employment and at random times throughout the season. Illegal drug use is very much frowned-upon by dude ranch employers and is a very real liability risk. They are cracking down on it more and more.
The time you spend working on a guest ranch may be the best adventure of your life. During my years on dude ranches, I made life-long friends, learned a great deal, came to know a variety of different people, and even met my husband. There are so many types of dude ranches, from small, family-oriented ranches to large, resort-like facilities that most people will find a position that appeals to them. Once you find a guest ranch job, keep an open mind, roll up your sleeves, and you will come through the season with a lot of new memories and experiences under your belt.
