Westgate River Ranch Resort - Horseback Riding and Fishing Vacations in Central Florida - Cowboy Ranch and Guided Family Outdoor Adventure Vacations

Archive for the ‘Dude Ranch’ Category

River Ranch Hosts Belle Glade H.S. Reunion

Friday, August 27th, 2010

The Class of 1960 at Belle Glade High School recently held its 50-Year Reunion at Westgate River Ranch. By all reports, the event was a smashing success! In fact, reunion coordinator Karen Corbin wrote the following after the event:

“What a wonderful weekend for the Glades High School Class Reunion hosted by the class of 1960!!! . . . I just can’t say thanks enough for everything you did to help me make the reunion a success. The food was delicious for our banquet and what a surprise that the banquet room was almost fully decorated in our Blue and Gold colors . . . You had the perfect ‘Hospitality House’ for us which worked out perfectly for our group . . . The meals at the ‘Smokehouse’ were very good – especially the buffet breakfasts and also the buffet on Friday night. Everyone enjoyed them – especially at the reasonable prices we were offered . . . I went on the airboat ride with some of my classmates plus several other persons and it was very good . . . I just can’t say thank you enough . . .”

Visit www.wgriverranch.com fo rmore information about holding your next class reunion at Westgate River Ranch!

Posted in Belle Glade High School, Dude Ranch, High School Reunions, Smokehouse Grill, Westgate, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, airboat rides, class reunions | No Comments »

River Ranch Featured in Vero Beach Magazine

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

An authentic dude ranch that lies just 50 miles from downtown Vero Beach, Westgate River Ranch was featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Vero Beach Magazine:

“Instead of mechanical park rides and automated animals, this old world – so near yet so far from the madding crowd – was populated by livestock and cowboys. Quarter horses and cattle, including some longhorn steers, roamed the pastures, and a menagerie of sheep, goats, donkeys, llamas and other exotic creatures resided in a petting farm . . . There were hayrides through a vast, wooded preserve and across a grassy open range, followed by a family-style, buffet barbecue, and marshmallows toasted by the fire . . . horseback riding along a trail that was almost totally enveloped in forest and grasslands . . . a rodeo, with cowboys and cowgirls whose expert roping and riding filled the arena with drama and pageantry . . . The 1,700-acre dude ranch sits along the banks of the Kissimmee River surrounded by thousands of acres of land, most of it leased from the state and federal government to local ranchers.”

For more information about Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com.

Posted in Championship Rodeo, Cowboys, Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Uncategorized, Vero Beach, Vero Beach Magazine, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, Westgate Rodeo, horseback riding, longhorn steers, petting farm, quarter horses | No Comments »

USA Today Features Westgate River Ranch

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

“The website Family Vacation Critic.com calls Westgate River Ranch in Central Florida one of 10 ‘Best Dude Ranches.’ The kids will forget they’re an hour from Disney World when they’re riding horses down the Kissimmee River trail, watching Saturday night championship rodeos, taking hayrides through the countryside, fishing in the local pond, riding in swamp boats, skeet shooting and visiting with animals at the petting zoo . . .”
- Jenn Fusion, Family Vacation With Horseback Riding, USA Today

For more information about Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com.

Posted in Best Dude Ranches, Championship Rodeo, Disney World, Dude Ranch, Family Vacations, Florida Dude Ranch, Florida Ranch, Kissimmee River, USA Today, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, airboat rides, horseback riding, swamp buggy rides | No Comments »

Something for Everyone at Westgate River Ranch!

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Westgate River Ranch is located just over an hour South of Orlando and approximately 25 minutes East of Lake Wales – “The Friendliest Small Town in Florida.”
The Lake Wales Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Westgate River Ranch lies adjacent to the 7,000-acre KICCO Wildlife Management Area, which runs along the Kissimmee River.
Outdoor recreational activities at the “World’s Largest Dude Ranch” include horseback riding, fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, trap and skeet shooting, airboat rides, swamp buggy rides and golf, as well as hayrides, a petting zoo and miniature golf course.
Westgate River Ranch hosts the Americom Championship Rodeo every Saturday night at 7:30 PM.
The casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill overlooks the scenic Kissimmee River.
Day trips from Westgate River Ranch include Historic Bok Sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark; Lake Wales Museum & Cultural Center; and Spook Hill, a “gravity-defying hill” in Lake Wales.

For more information about Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com.

Posted in Americom Championship Rodeo, Championship Rodeo, Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Florida Rodeo, Florida Vacation, Golf Course, Historic Bok Sanctuary, KICCO Wildlife Management Area, Kissimmee River, Lake Wales, Spook Hill, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, airboat rides, horseback riding, swamp buggy rides | 1 Comment »

Spend 4th of July at Westgate River Ranch!

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Take advantage of the 4th of July Special at Westgate River Ranch and enjoy two nights’ accommodations at an authentic dude ranch just one hour South of Orlando, as well as breakfast with a cowboy, summer fun at Tumble Weed Park, picnic lunch, rodeo round up and ice cream sundaes, hayride and cookout, and tickets to the Americom Championship Rodeo on Saturday night. Package starts at $145 per night! Note: Available only July 2-4, 2010. Based on availabililty. Can not be combined with any other offer or special. For more information, visit www.wgriverranch.com.

Posted in Championship Rodeo, Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Fourth of July, Fourth of July Special, Westgate, Westgate Destinations, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch | No Comments »

Interesting Facts About Westgate River Ranch!

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Westgate River Ranch is located just over an hour South of Orlando and approximately 25 minutes East of Lake Wales – “The Friendliest Small Town in Florida.”
The Lake Wales Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Westgate River Ranch lies adjacent to the 7,000-acre KICCO Wildlife Management Area, which runs along the Kissimmee River.
Outdoor recreational activities at the “World’s Largest Dude Ranch” include horseback riding, fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, trap and skeet shooting, airboat rides, swamp buggy rides and golf, as well as hayrides, a petting zoo and miniature golf course.
Westgate River Ranch hosts the Americom Championship Rodeo every Saturday night at 7:30 PM.
The casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill overlooks the scenic Kissimmee River.
Day trips from Westgate River Ranch include Historic Bok Sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark; Lake Wales Museum & Cultural Center; and Spook Hill, a “gravity-defying hill” in Lake Wales.

For more information about Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com.

Posted in Americom Championship Rodeo, Championship Rodeo, Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Golf Course, Historic Bok Sanctuary, KICCO Wildlife Management Area, Kissimmee River, Lake Wales, Lake Wales Museum, Spook Hill, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, Westgate Smokehouse Grill, airboat rides, horseback riding, swamp buggy rides | No Comments »

Summer Escape to Westgate River Ranch!

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Summer is the perfect time to visit Westgate River Ranch, an authentic dude ranch located in Central Florida just one hour South of Orlando! Westgate River Ranch features several types of comfortable accommodations, as well as numerous onsite amenities:

Full-Service Marina: Boat rentals are available at Westgate River Ranch’s full-service marina such as 20-foot pontoon boats, 15-foot Jon Boats and canoes.
Trap & Skeet Range: Test your skill at target practice at the Trap & Skeet Range, which also features an adjacent archery range.
Hayrides: The old-fashioned, tractor-pulled hayride at Westgate River Ranch takes you on an adventure through the beautiful, 7,000-acre KICCO Wildlife Management Area, which lies along the Kissimmee River.
Nine-Hole Golf Course: The nine-hole golf course at Westgate River Ranch includes a driving range, putting green and golf pro shop.
Swamp Buggy Rides: View wildlife in its natural setting during a one-hour swamp buggy ride through Westgate River Ranch’s wooded trail.
Airboat Rides: During a fun-filled, one-hour airboat ride on the Kissimmee River, you can view wildlife such as alligators, bald eagles and deer.
Smokehouse Grill Restaurant: A charming waterfront eatery that overlooks the scenic Kissimmee River, the Smokehouse Grill at Westgate River Ranch offers a family-style menu and is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
River Ranch Saloon: Every Friday and Saturday night, the River Ranch Saloon at Westgate River Ranch features “live country-western foot-stompin’ entertainment and line dancing.”
Saturday Night Championship Rodeo: Enjoy trick riding, bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, rodeo clown antics and a patriotic tribute to our armed forces at the Americom Championship Rodeo every Saturday night at 7:30 PM at Westgate River Ranch.
Horseback Riding: Take a horseback riding adventure through the scenic trails that wind through Westgate River Ranch. Horseback riding lessons are available for all ages, as well as advance rider trail rides for more experienced riders.

For more information about Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com.

Posted in Americom Championship Rodeo, Central Florida, Championship Rodeo, Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Golf Course, KICCO Wildlife Management Area, Kissimmee River, Orlando Vacation, River Ranch Saloon, Smokehouse Grill, Summer Vacation, Uncategorized, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, Westgate Rodeo, airboat rides, horseback riding, swamp buggy rides | 2 Comments »

Westgate River Ranch Featured in MSNBC Article

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

“Because this rustic dude ranch brings the Old West to the Sunshine State. The resort features a real-life rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and a calf scramble for the kids. During the [Memorial Day Weekend] holiday, there are a slew of old-fashioned family activities planned such as potato-sack races, water balloon fights, egg tosses, watermelon-seed spitting, and crafts. On Sunday, kids have an opportunity to play cowboy at the Kid’s Rodeo . . .”
- Amber Nolan, Memorial Day Deals for Families, MSNBC, May 10, 2010

Posted in Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Championship Rodeo, Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Florida Vacations, MSNBC, Memorial Day, Memorial Day Deals, Memorial Day Weekend, Old West, River Ranch, Sunshine State, Uncategorized, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch, calf scramble, horseback riding | 1 Comment »

St. Pete Times Article Features River Ranch

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

“You don’t have to go out West to spend time at a dude ranch. Florida has the Westgate River Ranch in Lake Wales offering all manners of Western fun . . .”

Try these unusual hotels for your next Florida vacation

Posted in Dude Ranch, Florida Dude Ranch, Lake Wales, S, St. Pete Times, Uncategorized, Westgate Resorts, Westgate River Ranch | 2 Comments »

River Ranch: Return to Days of “Old Florida”

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

At Westgate River Ranch, an authentic dude ranch that lies on 1,700 beautiful acres, you and your family can return to the days of “Old Florida” when the state was home to cowboys and cattle ranchers. Westgate River Ranch provides a multitude of amazing recreational activities such as horseback riding, trap and skeet shooting, full-service marina, airboat and swamp buggy rides, nine-hole golf course and a championship rodeo on Saturday nights. For more information about Westgate River Ranch, visit www.wgriverranch.com.