Celebrating the Centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association
A new book commemorates the culture and history of ranching in the American West.
Photo: Scott T. Baxter, 100 Years of Dude Ranching
In honor of the 100th year of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, 100 Years of Dude Ranching explores historical and modern dude ranching by focusing on 26 Centennial Ranches in Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. “Published by the Dude Ranchers’ Foundation, and the Ranch Preservation Foundation, the criteria for inclusion of featured ranches specifies that they began hosting guests in 1926 or earlier, and continue to do so today,” says foundation member, Russell True.
Photo: Courtesy of Rainbow Trout Ranch
In the late 1800s, ranchers found that travelers exploring the American West, known as “dudes,” were happy to pay for the experience of ranch lodging to extend their stay. Dude ranching got its official start in 1926 when the governing organization for the industry was established by a group of ranchers.
The book tells the story of the Dude Ranch and its legacy as one of America’s first forms of destination vacationing. Offering information about dude ranching past and present, the book explores all that has changed over the past century. Historic photos of the ranches are paired with modern images captured by award-winning photographer Scott T. Baxter, whose fine art photography is exhibited in numerous museums and private collections.
Photo: Scott T. Baxter, 100 Years of Dude Ranching
A comprehensive history of the Dude Ranching Association is woven throughout the photographs. The text is written by historian Lynn Downey, the award-winning author of American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West. The book’s foreword is by Bob Boze Bell, executive editor of True West Magazine.
The Ranch Preservation Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the protection, restoration, and preservation of historic western ranches and related projects. “By honoring the histories of each property, the foundation helps maintain the connection of dude ranching, keeping the spirit and practice of ranching in the West alive,” True says.
Photo: Courtesy of 4UR Ranch
A visit to today’s Dude Ranch offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, explore the history of the area, learn trail riding and horseback riding skills, view area wildlife, forage for edible plants, and experience entertainment and music of the American West. “It’s an immersive educational experience that’s really fun,” says True.
The book can be purchased at many independent booksellers or online at the foundation’s website.
As seen in Mountain Living’s July/August 2026 issue.
Photo: Scott T. Baxter, 100 Years of Dude Ranching
Photo: Scott T. Baxter, 100 Years of Dude Ranching
Photo: Courtesy of Triangle X Ranch
