Price includes: Accommodation, 3 meals per day and alcohol free beverages like coffee, tea, milk or water. Several hours of horseback riding, and other ranch activities as offered (on availability only due to weather and water level in the lake). Minimum stay: 3 nights. Arrival for all guests Monday, Thursday and Saturdays only. NB - There’s no horse riding on arrival or departure days. Weekend get-aways are possible on request and availability only.

Welcome to La Reata, a working cattle - guest ranch (not a working ranch where guests have the option to physically work, or move and chase cattle around all day)! For those who like to be involved in cattle work La Reata offers special events like round up and branding in spring or autumn). 

La Reata Ranch is nestled in the beautiful Saskatchewan River Valley, along the shores of Lake Diefenbaker. The large ranch property includes 9 miles of river frontage. Guests experience the cowboy-way of life and a real-life ranching adventure including lots of horseriding on the well trained quarter horses. Feel the rhythms of the land while riding across the rolling prairies.

All guests are welcome to be part of the cattle and ranch experiences. The herd is checked on a daily base (some animals might need treatment and need therefore be driven home or need to be roped in the pasture) or if necessary the entire herd needs to be moved to different pastures throughout the season. While there is every day work to do there is also time to relax and have a nice resting lunch break with coffee cooked over an open fire (depending on weather conditions), ending with a snooze. From time to time, throughout the summer months, the owners pack up the horses for an overnight trip and campout under the stars: a real cowboy dream, far away from urban life. Some things may have changed down here at the ranch, but what always remains constant are these spectacular sunsets, the feel of the wind on your face as you ride the open range and the peace of mind only a cowboy can enjoy.

Guests at La Reata stay in western-style wood cabins decorated to make any cowboy feel at home. There are six cosy log-cabins each with two double beds and private bathroom/shower. Also two 1.5-story cabins with a loft, which sleeps up to 6 persons in 2 double beds and 2 double size bunk beds. The Cabins are cleaned weekly or with each arrival. Bedding , towels and toiletries are supplied. Everything you need for your private home away from home. No A/C.

The Ranch has its own private Saloon (La Reata Saloon) which invites everyone to have a game of pool (billiards), football or darts. If you prefer to sit around the bar with a drink and listen to country music, that’s fine too.

Meals are prepared in the ranches Cookhouse – wholesome, plentiful cowboy cuisine that includes some BBQs throughout the summer month. Everybody gathers at mealtimes, rubbing shoulders with the ranch team and other guests from around the globe. Many friendships have been born while eating and sitting together.

When you are not in the saddle, there are plenty of other activities to do, such as swimming, boating, canoeing, waterskiing an other water sports (some activities are only possible and available at certain weather conditions). The lake offers also a great opportunity for fishing. The large ranch property invites guests to explore and watch wildlife like deer, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, gophers, or birds such as owls, eagles, geese, pelicans or hawks. Try to hike some of the steep river hills, it’s a great workout. If you rather relax find a private spot along the hidden, partly sandy beaches of Lake Diefenbaker, or just hang out on your porch.

The day might end with some cowpoke fun, dummy steer roping, a visit to the La Reata Saloon for games and socialising moments, or relaxing around the campfire. Listen to country music or sit outdoors to watch the stars. On some nights we head out to the nearby village for beer and wings at the famous White Bear Bar.

The area around the ranch is stepped into ranching traditions and prairie history. Experience the rodeo trail and the life of competing cowboys firsthand at a nearby small town rodeo. We are happy to organise Rodeo Trips whenever possible and close by. They can be booked directly at the ranch. Not far away are the high lands of the Cypress Hills, Fort Walsh, the first settlements of the North-West Mounted Police and the Great Sand Hills, a semi-desert of sand dunes rising mysteriously from the plain. Guided tours can be booked at the ranch as well. Within a 20-minute drive you will find a golf course, mini golf, a sporting Marina. A 45 minute drive will take you to a western store, historic museums or shopping malls. The town (population approx. 17,000) is named Swift Current and is located on Trans Canada Highway # 1.