Factors Point to a Near-Full Summer Season for Dude Ranches Predicts 'The Ranch Guy' Gene Kilgore

After 45 years traveling thousands of miles visiting and promoting dude ranch life, the industry and member ranches know Kilgore as “The Ranch Guy”

NAPA, CA, UNITED STATES, April 14, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The public is urged to secure dude ranch reservations now to assure saddlin’ up with America’s oldest inclusive vacation this summer.

This advice comes from Gene Kilgore, “The Ranch Guy” when it comes to ranch vacations. As “the world’s leading authority on ranch travel” (American Express), his name is synonymous with one of America's great traditions. Forbes.com reports, "Few people have the level of ranch vacation expertise Kilgore enjoys."

Kilgore attributes this year’s high demand barreling down on guest ranches to the intersection of four trajectories. These are milestone anniversaries, popular culture, the media and world economy:
• A convergence of milestone anniversaries that are driving publicity: 2026 celebrates the Dude Ranchers’ Association’s https://duderanch.org/ 100-year Centennial. 2025 is the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ranchweb.com. This is the source for in-depth, profiles of ranches that welcome vacationers in North America, Canada and South America. Ranchweb.com was relaunched this January. Today it is considered as the source for everything to do with international ranch travel and million-dollar ranch real estate.
• Popular culture: Among others (the following as reported in Vogue Magazine), an album called Cowboy Carter, the TV series Yellowstone, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docuseries and the pervasive style trend called “Cowboy Core”.
• Media: Most notably Vogue Magazine (March 21, 2025); The Cowboy Trend Is Coming for Travel! https://www.vogue.com/article/cowboy-travel-trend
• Current economic turmoil: The travel industry’s PhocusWire reports, “It will have a triple whammy on our sector. Effect number one is pure economics: There is less money to spend on travel abroad. Effect number two is that travel to and from USA will be impacted by fear. Effect number three is retaliation and restrictions in reality by border controls."

Kilgore also surmises that this year’s anticipated boom in dude ranch visits is in response to the fact that travelers want to stay closer to home and be outside in nature on vacation, exploring the wide-open spaces. Ranch travel is thriving, with many offerings for multi-generational families, couples, solo travelers and groups. As the new year begins, Kilgore stresses that now is the time to make plans for ranch travel in 2025, with many ranches filling up months (even years) in advance.

After 45 years traveling tens of thousands of miles visiting, experiencing and promoting dude ranch life, the industry and member ranches know Kilgore as “The Ranch Guy”. Bayard Fox of the Bitterroot Ranch says, “Kilgore is the world leader in dude ranching and has done far more than anyone to further this wonderful American tradition.” Peter de Cabooter of the Hideout Guest Ranch agrees, “Gene is the star in this industry, and the one who leads the way.”

Focused solely on ranch travel and luxury ranch real estate, Kilgore’s platform, Ranchweb, shares a spectrum of ranch offerings and ranch themes. Places on Ranchweb appeal to a wide range of travelers, with interests in horseback riding, fly fishing, wellness and many other outdoor pursuits. Properties on Ranchweb come in all shapes and sizes, from small, classic boutique guest ranches to ultra-ranches with all the bells and whistles. Represented ranches include:

• Traditional Guest Ranch Vacations – The original dude ranch vacation experience
• Resort Ranches – With features like swimming pools, golf and racket sports
• Working Ranches – Sample real ranch life
• Luxury Ranches – An authentic five-star experience
• Ultra Ranches – Ultra-luxe ranches with the highest level of service and amenities
• Private Ranches – Rent the whole ranch for your family or group
• Boutique Ranches – Ranches with availability for up to 20 guests
• Golfing Ranches – A whole new take on the links vacation
• Bring Your Own Horse – Where your four-legged friend is just as welcome as you are
• Glamping Ranches –platform safari-style tent camping
• Fly Fishing Ranches and Lodges – Where fly fishing is the focus
• Wellness Ranches – with yoga, spas, organic dining and horse-related therapies

Ranchweb 2025 also offers a full Concierge Service that enables travelers around the world to call or email a ranch vacations travel expert who will help guide ranch guests to find properties that match their wants and desires.

About Gene Kilgore
Gene Kilgore’s name is synonymous with America’s original packaged vacation, dude ranching. For over 45 years he has traveled across the United States, Canada and South America, bringing ranch country to millions of people worldwide. As he says, “I want my lifelong work and dedication to ranch country to help people discover the magic of these beautiful ranches that I first experienced as a young boy in Wyoming, and to help them get to know the wonderful people who run them.”

About Ranchweb
Celebrating 30 years, Ranchweb is the online platform for ranch travel and million-dollar ranch real estate. It has been connecting people from all over the world to the beauty and adventure of ranch country since its founding in 1995. With a wide range of ranch vacation options and access to ranch properties in North and South America, Ranchweb represents a $600 million dollar industry, providing true experiences for those seeking ranch life. Backed by a team of experts, Ranchweb has made it easier than ever for individuals and families to travel to, or buy, their dream ranch. Call 1-707-217-5205 or visit Ranchweb.com.

Media inquiries: contact Widness & Wiggins PR:
Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / widnesspr@gmail.com
Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / dave@travelnewssource.com

Kilgore’s Family of Ranch Brands:
• Ranchweb - https://ranchweb.com/
• Top50 Ranches - https://www.top50ranches.com/
• Luxury Ranch Real Estate - https://luxuryranchrealestate.com/
• Fly Fishing Vacations - https://www.flyfishingvacations.com/
• Wellness Ranches – www.wellnessranches.com
• Dude Ranch Jobs – www.duderanchjobs.com

Social media:
• Ranchweb Instagram: @Ranchweb
• Ranchweb Facebook: Ranchweb

• Top50 Ranches Instagram: @Top50ranches
• Top50 Ranches Facebook: Top50 Ranches

• The World’s Best Fly Fishing Vacations Instagram: @flyfishingvacations
• The World’s Best Fly Fishing Vacations Facebook: Fly Fishing Vacations
• Luxury Ranch Real Estate Instagram: @luxuryranchrealestate
• Luxury Ranch Real Estate

David L Wiggins
Widness & Wiggins PR
+1 720-301-3822
dave@travelnewssource.com
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

A Colorado Ranch Vacation