The Spread:

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At Rock Springs Guest Ranch, nine miles northwest of Bend, Oregon, guests can ride horses through 13,000 acres in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains adjacent to the Deschutes National Forest. In this classic cowboy-country setting, juniper trees lace the foothills, wild rye dots the high desert, deer graze in the brush, and the ridgetops glisten with snow. Since Rock Springs accommodates just 45 to 50 guests in 11 cabins, the resort creates an easygoing camaraderie both in and out of the saddle. Here, the ambiance is low-key and dressing for dinner means putting on clean jeans and kicking the mud off your boots.

Why Families Love It:
The riding staff wins top marks, inquiring into your goals and abilities at the beginning of your weekly stay (Saturday to Saturday, from June 17 to August 26). Do you want to learn how to canter the countryside like Annie Oakley or do you seek slow, scenic rides? Since Rock Springs owns—instead of rents—its string of horses, the wranglers know each horse's personality and peccadilloes. That makes matching you with your steed logical instead of blind-date lucky.

The children’s program, for ages three to 12, features riding, nature walks, storytelling, and crafts and operates from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Those under age six go on rope-led pony rides as well as make crafts, feed fish in the pond, play in the sand, and play games. Children six and older, as well as adults, head out twice daily on one-and-a-half- to two-hour rides. The ratio of wranglers to riders is one to six, great for safety and teaching.

Non-riders and the saddle-sore can try their luck fishing in the pond, playing tennis, soaking in the hot tub, hiking, and whitewater rafting on the nearby Deschutes River (extra fee).

Special Events & Activities:
Highlights are the under-the stars, kids-only campout and the all-day luncheon ride for families. Special intensive tennis instruction is held July 8 to 15 and July 15 to 22.