Hunewill Guest Ranch California

Check prices and availability

The Hunewill Ranch is a family owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding is the featured attraction. You'll love riding your horse through this 26,000 acre expanse of cool lush meadow, bordered by timbered peaks. Hunewill offers you a full ranch experience, including evening activities such as talent night, family dance night, barbecues on the creek, or watching as young foals and yearlings are being gentled. There is world class trout fishing in the nearby East Walker River, and in the many lakes and streams in the adjacent Toiyabe National Forest. For a vacation experience suited to families, singles or couples, you won't find a friendlier place. If you want home-style meals, wide open space, great riding and lasting friendships, then Hunewill Guest Ranch is the vacation for you.

Hunewill Ranch was one of Freya's, at The Riding Company, favourite ranches. "I would absolutely recommend getting up early to watch the morning round up for the horses. It was a truly special experience so don't forget your camera! The riding at Hunewill ranch would be suited to everyone. Full instruction is given before you even get on the horse and your ride will be picked out and already tacked up in the morning when you get to the barn. You'll be given a chance to ride around the paddock to make sure this is the horse for you."

The Riding:

Horseback riding is the main attraction at Hunewill Ranch. We ride primarily in big open green pastures that are bordered by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Horses and riding groups (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced) are available to suit anyone’s level of skill and ambition. Memories are created as riders walk, trot, and lope in the wide open spaces of Bridgeport Valley. Some of our day rides venture into the nearby mountains to enjoy high mountain terrain, glacial lakes, and spectacular scenery. Other horseback activities include splash rides, a breakfast ride, moving cattle, an obstacle course, and games on horseback.

Rides leave from the barn at 9am and 2pm each day.

Private lessons from the wranglers are available at $25 per lesson for those wanting to improve their riding skills.

Riding for Kids:

Children ages six and older ride twice daily at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Our Buckaroo Ride is a special program that includes games on horseback, lots of instruction, swim rides, searching for obsidian chips, and many hours of confidence-building time in the saddle.

Accommodation:

Our cabin rooms each have a queen and a twin bed with private bath and comfortable porch. Most of our cabins have two connecting rooms with a privacy door between. All rooms are non-smoking rooms. Meals take place in the dining room and food is served buffet style so you can choose what you want.

Other Activities:

Cattle work:

Hunewill Ranch is a working cattle ranch and guests get to move cattle throughout our season. However, during a few special weeks we offer cattle work as the featured activity.

Spring Cattle Work
In the spring we have cattle on our Nevada and California ranches so guests work cattle at both locations. The main activities are parting and moving cattle and may also include branding and doctoring. This time of year an added bonus is seeing the cows with their baby calves.


The Big Fall Cattle Gather

This is a week-long extravaganza of high mountain cattle gathering and moving. The cattle are coming off their summer range and we are bringing them down to the home ranch. Enjoy chuck wagon meals, western entertainment ‘round the campfire, a night of camping out under the stars at our beautiful Buckeye Pack Station, and lots of hours moving cattle while horseback.

Fall Cattle Work

Participate in a hands-on cowboy experience which includes sorting, moving, parting and doctoring cattle. We even have a challenging trailer loading competition where guests and their cow savvy horses load cattle into a stock trailer. This event gets our guests working as a team, planning strategies, and experiencing good old fashioned fun. An added bonus is the beautiful fall lighting and the glow of autumn colors.

Annual Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive

We end our season with one of our most popular events of the year. Our guests move 600 hundred head of cattle 60 miles from Bridgeport, California to our winter ranch in Smith Valley, Nevada. The beautiful scenery and the tradition of the cattle drive combine to give our guests the experience of a lifetime.

All of our cattle work packages are designed for the intermediate to advanced rider.

Hunewill Pond Fishing:

Book a fishing trip to Hunewill Pond for a day of fishing. The Pond is run by Ken at Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport.

Massage Therapy:

There is a licenced massage therapist at the Hunewill Guest Ranch who offers massages and facials.

Kids Activities:

Kids of all ages enjoy the freedom and wide open spaces that Hunewill Ranch offers. Ping pong, horseshoes, and volleyball are available.

Typical week schedule:

Saturday - p.m. Dinner, Horse Sense (orientation) in the barn.
Sunday - All rides walk and instruction is given. Creek-side cookout.
Monday - First lope (except beginners). Bingo and roping lessons.
Tuesday - Breakfast ride to Robinson Creek. Afternoon meadow ride. Square and round dancing.
Wednesday - Day ride to Sierras or long meadow ride. Campfire sing-along and hayride.
Thursday - More advanced riding skills. Horse games. Talent night!
Friday - Long morning ride. Farewell afternoon ride. Outdoor barbeque.Rides may include: Cattle work, cavalry maneuvers, swim rides, splash rides.
Daily schedule may vary.

Check prices and availability

7 Nights All Inclusive Stays

July - August

  • Adult, double occupancy, per person, per week - $1,784.75
  • Children ages 10-12, double occupancy, per child, per week - $1,535.25
  • Children ages 9-6, double occupancy, per child, per week - $1,026.00
  • Children ages 5 and under, double occupancy, per child, per week - $378.00
  • Single occupancy, per person, per week - $2,050.75

These rates do not include fishing on the private pond, meal tax, room tax or gratuity.

Special 5 Night packages

July 16 -21, July 30- August 4, Week of the Buckaroo Moon 5 Day Package August 13 - 18, Old West Week 5 Day Package August 20 - 25.

  • Adult, double occupancy, per person, per week - $1,399.00
  • Children ages 10-12, double occupancy, per child, per week - $1,189.75
  • Children ages 9-6, double occupancy, per child, per week - $795.75
  • Children ages 5 and under, double occupancy, per child, per week - $270.00
  • Single occupancy, per person, per week - $1,589.00

Hunewill's Super Summer Deal

August 27-31

Rate includes Saturday dinner through Wednesday lunch, horseback riding Sunday through Wednesday morning, and lodging Saturday night through Tuesday night.

  • Double occupancy, per person - $792.50
  • Children ages 10-12 - $663.75
  • Children ages 9-6 - $440.75
  • Children ages 5 and under - $165.00
  • Single occupancy - $884.50

Labor Day Weekend 3 or 4 Day Package

September 2-5 or September 2-6

You’ll arrive Friday for a barbeque dinner and depart Monday after lunch. Rate includes meals Friday dinner through Monday lunch, horseback riding Saturday through Monday morning, and lodging Friday night through Sunday night.

  • Double occupancy, per person - $735.75 or $894.25
  • Children ages 10-12- $614.75 or $755.25
  • Children ages 9-6- $410.25 or $504.25
  • Children ages 5 and under- $155.00 or $206.00
  • Single occupancy - $822.75 or $1,010.25

The Big Fall Cattle Gather Week

September 7-14

Spend a week gathering our cows out of the high country and driving them back to the ranch. Enjoy camping out under the stars for two nights (optional), chuck wagon meals, cowboy music, and long satisfying days in the saddle during this traditional end of summer cowboy event.

You must have intermediate to advanced riding skills to participate in this experience. Rate includes meals Wednesday dinner through Wednesday breakfast, horseback riding Thursday through Tuesday, and lodging Wednesday night through Tuesday night.

  • Double occupancy (Per person) - $1,582.00
  • Single occupancy - $1,785.00

Fall Cattle Work

September 16-21 (5 Day Package) or September 16-20 (4 Night Stay)

We’re offering this opportunity for people who would like to focus on cattle work or to introduce their own horses to cattle. The work will include sorting, moving, parting, and possibly doctoring cattle. This will be geared towards riders with intermediate to advanced riding skills. You will arrive Friday for dinner and depart Wednesday after lunch if staying for our 5 Day Package, or depart Tuesday after breakfast if you’ve chosen our 4 Night Stay. Rate includes all meals, horseback riding, lodging, and all ranch activities.

5 Day Package Rates: Double occupancy $1,243.25 per person, single occupancy $ 1,388.25

4 Night Stay Rates: Double occupancy $ 894.25 per person, single occupancy $1,010.25

Autumn Getaway Weekend

Autumn Getaway 4 Night Stay, September 23-27,2011 and 3Day Package, September 23-26, 2011

This is a wonderful time to be in Bridgeport! Enjoy a relaxing weekend surrounded by the Sierra's legendary fall colors. Ride, fish, hike or just enjoy one of our favorite times in Bridgeport. You will arrive Friday for dinner and depart the following Tuesday after breakfast if staying for our 4 Night Stay, or depart Monday after lunch if you've cholsen our 3 Day Package. Rate includes all meals, horseback riding, lodging and all ranch activities.

This is a wonderful time to be in Bridgeport! Enjoy a relaxing weekend surrounded by the Sierra's legendary fall colors. Ride, fish, hike or just enjoy one of our favorite times in Bridgeport. You will arrive Friday for dinner and depart the following Tuesday after breakfast if staying for our 4 Night Stay, or depart Monday after lunch if you've cholsen our 3 Day Package. Rate includes all meals, horseback riding, lodging and all ranch activities.

Enjoy a relaxing weekend surrounded by the Sierra's legendary fall colors. Ride, fish, hike or just enjoy one of our favorite times in Bridgeport. You will arrive Friday for dinner and depart the following Tuesday after breakfast if staying for our 4 Night Stay, or depart Monday after lunch if you've cholsen our 3 Day Package. Rate includes all meals, horseback riding, lodging and all ranch activities.

4 Night Stay: Double occupancy $894.25 per person, Single occupancy $1,010.25

3 Day Package: Double occupancy $735.75 per person, Single occupancy $822.75

Fall Color Ride

September 29 - October 3

Ride through aspen groves aglow with orange and gold colors as we take spectacular day rides of varying lengths from the meadows to the high country of the Eastern Sierra. You will arrive Thursday for dinner and depart Monday after breakfast. Rate includes meals Thursday dinner through Monday breakfast, horseback riding Friday through Sunday, and lodging Thursday night through Sunday night.

Double occupancy $894.25 per person, Single occupancy $1,010.25

Columbus Day Weekend Stay

October 7-10 (3 Day Package) or October 7-11 (4 Night Stay)

You will arrive Friday for dinner and depart the following Tuesday after breakfast if staying our 4 Night Stay, or depart Monday after lunch if you've chosen our 3 Day Package. Rate includes all meals, horseback riding, lodgeing and all ranch activities.

  • Double occupancy, per person - $735.75 (3 Day) or $894.25 (4 Night)
  • Children ages 10-12- $614.75 or $755.25
  • Children ages 9-6- $410.25 or $504.25
  • Children ages 5 and under- $155.00 or $206.00
  • Single occupancy - $822.75 or $1,010.25

Hunewill Ranch Cattle Drive

November 6-12

You’ll help move 600 to 750 head of cattle 60 miles from the Bridgeport ranch to our winter ranch in Smith Valley, Nevada. The beautiful scenery and the tradition of the cattle drive combine to give you a memorable experience.

You must have intermediate to advanced riding skills to participate in this drive. The cattle drive takes place rain, snow, or shine, so be prepared for all types of weather!

Double occupancy per person $1,596.00

Single occupancy $1,824

Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).

Make a reservation / enquiry.

These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.

Flights

Commercial airlines fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Reno, Nevada. The drive from Reno to Bridgeport takes approximately 2 ½ hours. Daily flights from L.A. to Mammoth-Yosemite Airport are available. The drive from Mammoth to Bridgeport takes approximately one hour. The ranch does not provide transportation between Reno and Bridgeport or Mammoth and Bridgeport. However, rental cars are available at the airports.

Flights to Los Angeles from the UK run from London Heathrow with Air New Zealand, American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Drinks

The ranch doesn't have an alcohol licence so it would be wise to bring your own if you wish to drink during your stay. There are also no tea/coffee making facilities in the cabins.

Guest Laundry Facilities

The ranch has a coin-operated laundry facility and detergent is available for purchase.

Children

The minimum riding age for children is 6 years. Younger children who are capable of being led on horseback are led by the babysitter. A babysitter is provided to watch your child while you are riding and during riding hours only. This child care is included in your child’s rate. Games with other children, snacks and picnics on the lawn, visits to the ranch bakery, and strolls to see ranch animals are all part of the program for the under six crowd.

Boots

For your comfort and safety it is required that you and your family ride in cowboy boots. No hiking boots, lace up boots, or tennis shoes are allowed for riding. Although we suggest that you bring your own boots, we have a “boot closet” with limited sizes of used cowboy boots for our guests to use during their stay.

Guest Telephone Calls and Internet Access

A pay phone is available for guest use. Prepaid phone cards are suggested. We offer limited wi-fi internet access if you bring your own laptop or internet accessible device.

Environmental issues

You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to USA at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.

In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.

We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.

How to book

To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.

Subscribe to our newsletter or read our blog.

Browse our Guest book or look at what the press have had to say.

Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.

Please read our Terms and Conditions.