The allure of the American West has intrigued travelers of various backgrounds for hundreds of years. We’ve all heard the tales of Lewis and Clark, Annie Oakley, Wyatt Earp, Jesse James and others as they pioneered their way into the west in search of that special something. In more recent years, generations of descendants of these frontiersmen and women have made a way for themselves by working the land, running their family ranch, and keeping the spirit and traditions of the west at the forefront of their actions. When visiting the western states, it’s easy to see the pride in traditions like cattle brandings, roundups and rodeos.
Along with these tried-and-true traditions come those of us who hope to keep the spirit of the west alive by sharing the best way we know how: through our hospitality. 2026 marks the centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, an organization that prides itself on connecting guests with ranches throughout the western states that honor the heritage we were built on. In celebration of this centennial, the DRA produced 100 Years of Dude Ranching, a book that showcases ranches that were hosting guests in 1926 and have continued to do so for 100 years. 4UR is one of said ranches.
Following in the footsteps of settlers who forged their path looking for “their place”, guests and staff of 4UR come to us with the same desire to find something more. We strive to show them the beauty of the west while turning them into stewards of the land and traditions we love. We’re honored to be featured in 100 Years of Dude Ranching alongside so many other ranches that share in the preservation of the west and its values. If you’re looking for a luxury vacation embedded with history and heritage, we welcome you to join us and experience what the west is all about.
If you’d like to purchase a copy of 100 Years of Dude Ranching, please visit the Ranch Preservation Foundation. Photos in this post are featured in the book and were taken by Scott Baxter Photography.