La Reata Ranch

La Reata Ranch is in a peaceful spot in the southwest of the Province. They have welcomed guests for a real-life ranch experience for well over 23 years.  The surrounding views are of the rolling hills, the golden prairie grass swaying in the wind and the sunshine sparkling on the lake.

The Ranch is located at least a two-hour drive from Saskatoon airport, 45 minutes north of Swift Current on TransCanada Hwy 1.

Some guests have driven from Calgary, which is 364 miles and takes 5 and a half hours to drive. In the UK, this is much the same as from Southampton to the Scottish Borders! There are domestic air services from Calgary and Toronto as an alternative.

For those interested in a real Canadian cowboy experience, this ranch offers an unforgettable trip into the life of a working cowboy, where visitors stay in western-style cabins each equipped with a private bathroom; all meals and non-alcoholic beverages are provided.

The scenery at La Reata is reminiscent of an old fashion western movie. The landscape is a mixture of rolling prairies, open range, canyons and the nearby river.

There are six comfortable log cabins, with two double beds. Each cabin has a private washroom. There are also two larger cabins which sleep up to 6 guests in doubles and bunk beds. Breakfast and supper are served in the Cookhouse. Lunch is generally a picnic out on the ranch. Canadian beef and home-baked goods add to the plentiful cowboy cuisine. Please note, vegan meals are not available on a cattle ranch.

The Old West Saloon has a pool table, fooseball, darts and lots of country music.

Every morning your La Reata horse experience begins as everybody saddle's up their mount! You will be provided with a suitable horse to enjoy during your stay at the ranch. Then the group will take off for an exciting day's ride to check the herd and to explore the large ranch property.

Beginners are welcome to receive some basic western riding lessons to comfort any fear or hesitation with the first ride. Everyone interested will have the chance to learn how to handle the rope and work with cattle or try the first barrel race in the large outdoor arena.

All guests are welcome to participate in the seasonal cattle and ranch work. They have to check cows almost on a daily basis and if necessary, they have to move the herd or catch some calves to treat them. Cattle will always need moving to new pasture during the summer, there is also a branding week in June and a round up in the first week of October – both of  these require early booking as, generally, just 12 spaces are offered.

The riding gear that is recommended are jeans, any kind of boot with a heel, a hat for sun protection, the ranch has some hats available at their small trading post, or they can stop at a western store on the way back to the ranch.

Other activities on the ranch include hiking, birdwatching, swimming and boating.

Guided tours can be booked at the ranch. Within a 45-minute drive, you will find a golf course, mini golf, houseboat tours,
historic museums, a sporting marina and shopping Malls.

La Reata is not a ranch where guest physically have to work full time, in the hot summers they may not move or work with the cattle but generally, they have to check the stock on a daily basias and sometimes have to move them to fresh pastures.

While there is a lot to do almost every day, they will relax and have a good lunch break with coffee, sandwiches or beans and sausages cooked over an open fire.

From time to time throughout the summer month, they will pack the horses for an exciting overnight campout under the stars – a real cowboy dream !