With its balmy temperatures, natural beauty, gracious spirit and affordable accommodations, the South has long attracted vacationing families. But as popular a destination as the region is, there are still vacation getaways known to none but a lucky few. For the adventurous family travelers, we've discovered a secret just too good to keep--the Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, set amidst a wilderness of breathtaking scenery.
ARKANSAS
HORSESHOE CANYON RANCHSunday is the horses' day off at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. They're grazing quietly against a background of grassland and forested cliffs, while a bunting trills atop a bush and a longhorn steer swishes by. At first, it looks a bit like southern Colorado--but this brand-new dude ranch is firmly rooted in southern Ozark Mountain territory.
Amy and Barry Johnson and his folks, Jerry and Martha, invited their first guests to this 350-acre spread in Jasper, Arkansas, in 1998. They'd invested $1.2 million in the pine-log lodge, cabins, barn and maze of trails that wind past stands of hardwoods, tumbled boulders and natural springs ("cowboy Jacuzzis," as the Johnsons call them). For outdoorsy families who dream of a cowboy vacation, this place is a gold mine.
Horseshoe Canyon lies just across the ridge from the pristine Buffalo River, and seven miles from the nearest town (population 400). It's a rider's wilderness paradise--but hardly a boring place for the saddle-shy. Families bunk down in one of ten roomy cabins; the largest offers three queen beds. All have hide-a-bed couches, wood stoves, air conditioning, full baths, microwave and mini refrigerator. At the lodge, you'll find the main dining room (featuring dinners of pork tenderloin, prime rib, catfish and barbecue ribs), a stone fireplace, telephones and a TV room.
On our second day at the ranch, our family hikes down to the barn to meet Frenchy, the head wrangler. He sizes up our riding experience and height, then pairs us with horses to ride throughout our stay. (Children must be eight years old to ride on the trail. Little kids head to Little Buckaroo Ranch, where they can hang out with goats, geese, piglets and Peanut, the Shetland pony). Our group ranges widely in ability; Frenchy shows us all how to mount, hold the reins and position ourselves in the saddle and stirrups.
During our week at Horseshoe Canyon, we can ride daily if we choose. When we aren't riding, the Buffalo River beckons for fishing and canoeing. There is also easy hiking in Boxley Valley, first homesteaded in 1837, and golf and flea markets nearby. The lodge offers a swimming pool, hot tub, Ping-Pong, basketball hoops and volleyball. Evenings bring ice-cream socials, cowboy karaoke and line dancing. All meals, lodging and activities are included in the daily rates; for weeklong guests, a trip to Silver Dollar City at Branson, Missouri, is included as well.
THE DETAILS: Daily rate in summer is $185 for adults, $145 for kids ages 8 to 12, and $95 for kids ages 3 to 7. Off-season, weeklong and non-riding guests get discounts. For more information, click here or call 800-480-9635.
Marcia Schnedler is a syndicated travel columnist from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.
