Lowdown

  • Established

    1800s. Guest ranch since 2003

  • Owner

    Nick Bohl & Doerte Marks

  • Manager

    Nick Bohl & Doerte Marks

  • Tel

    001-307-467-5663

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)

    $230

  • Minimum Stay

    1 week

  • Maximum Guests

    10

  • Works with travel agents?

    Yes

  • Great For

    Romance, Action & adventure, Peace & quiet, Solitude, Diverse scenery

The New Haven Ranch is a family-owned and operated working cattle ranch on the edge of the Black Hills in Northeastern Wyoming near Devils Tower National Monument.

During the summer months Nick and Doerte invite up to 10 guests at a time to share the Western lifestyle with them and their team and participate in ranch activities. You will be riding and working livestock in canyon and timber country, on open plateaus and on sagebrush prairie. You will be riding in all three gaits and only rarely head-to-tail. And you will be riding up to 8 hours a day. This is the real deal!

Other activities include team penning and ranch sorting, roping and shooting and, depending on the specific week, brandings and sheep dockings, and rodeos and horse sales. We also take our guests to visit Devils Tower, Hulett and the neighboring Amish community.

Good time to go

End of May to middle of October

Children at the Ranch

Great for children aged 16 and over

The minimum age for riders is 16.

Minimum age children can ride

16 and over

Ranch History

The New Haven Ranch is situated on the grounds of an old ghost town in Northeastern Wyoming. About 150 years ago the first settlers, called 'homesteaders', came to the area. The small farmers were up against the rough climate, down-and-dirty cattle barons, hostile Indian tribes and the depression of the early 20th century. Many gave up and left. The old buildings and machinery, though bear witness of times that nowadays we only know from novels and movies.

Lowdown

  • Enjoy

    Ranch-style

  • Meals served

    family style, buffet style, meals roll with days activities, everyone eats together

  • Alcohol

    BYOB

  • Enjoy dining in

    nature settings, patio, dining room (casual attire)

  • You'll definitely love

    ranch-raised beef, farm fresh eggs, ranch garden, fresh daily bread, fresh daily desserts

  • Dietary restrictions catered for

    lactose intolerant, vegetarians, Gluten free

We have an open kitchen which is attached to the dining and living area. Here we serve a full homemade breakfast and supper and, if we don't eat out on the trail, a lighter lunch. If the weather allows, there is a weekly BBQ at our lake. The owners and staff share most of the meals with the guests.

Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are available for everyone at all times. Please, bring your own pops and alcoholic drinks.

We eat ranch-raised beef and lamb, but also serve poultry and pork and at times, game and fish.

Our chickens have just started to lay eggs and a vegetable garden supplies us with some of the fresh produce.

We can accommodate vegetarians and guests who are lactose and/or gluten-intolerant, but we cannot cater to vegans.

Guest Favourites

  • Bacon-wrapped meat loaf with potato gratin, roasted asparagus, mixed salad, garlic rolls and cheesecake.
  • Sauteed pieces of chicken and mushrooms in a creamy alfredo sauce over rice with tomato salad, Naan bread and peach cobbler.
  • Smothered pork ribs with creamy penne, oven-fresh bread, fried zucchini, coleslaw and walnut brownies.

Lowdown

  • Address

    100 Mule Creek Road
    Hulett
    Wyoming
    82720
    USA

  • Remote Location

    Yes

  • Elevation

    4500 ft

  • Private Land

    10,000-20,000 acres

Nearest Town - Hulett

Hulett has a population of 400 (approx), and is situated 18 miles / 30 mins from the Ranch.

Nearest Airports

Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City, SD

Distance

125 miles / 2 hours 30 mins

Airlines

Delta, United, Allegiant, United Express, American Airlines

Ranch shuttle

Yes, $150 per person round trip

Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Gillette, WY

Distance

80 miles / 1 hour 15 mins

Airlines

Delta, United, United Express

Ranch shuttle

not from/to Gillette

Rental car

Required

Lowdown

  • Type of Riding

    Western Riding

  • Riding opportunities for

    Intermediate, Experienced

  • Most riders are

    Intermediate

  • Rides are grouped by

    Rides dictated by ranch work

  • Max riders per ride

    10

  • Wranglers per ride

    2

  • Pace of ride

    Walk, Trot, Lope

  • Guest Horses

    40

  • Horse Types

    Quarterhorse, Thoroughbred, Appaloosas, Draft Cross, Paints, Tennessee Walkers, Geldings, Mares

The Setting

Private Land (10,000-20,000 acres)

We ride on our own ranch (about 3,000 acres) which offers canyon and timber country with open pastures, some creek bottoms and a big lake as well as on neighbors' properties which range from deeper woods and higher mountains, rim rock and open plateaus to wide sagebrush prairie. Depending on the week you might be riding on an additional 15,000 acres.

Our Riding

Good to know

You should have ridden in all three gaits before and be able to sit in the saddle for up to a minimum of three hours at a time. You should also be able to post a trot, and mount and dismount without help (even though we use mounting blocks whenever possible).

Weight limit for riding

Up to 225 lbs

Riding considerations

MUST be able to post a trot, MUST have riding experience, We recommend a good level of physical fitness, Riders should be confident without a wrangler by their side, We consider height and athletic ability as well as a guest's weight

Hours in the saddle

Depending on the work that needs to be done, we ride between 3 and 8 hours a day (average is 6 hours a day), some days we will come in for lunch, other days we will eat out on the trail. 

Why our riding stands out

  • We only take 10 guests max. which allows for everyone to participate in livestock work. We don't ride head-to-tail, and better riders can also ride separately from group and wranglers, i.e. during cattle and sheep drives. We ride in all three gaits and in sometimes challenging terrain. It's the real deal!
  • You don't have to be an experienced (Western) rider to visit us. Even advanced beginners can participate if they are fit, not too timid and willing to learn. We apply Natural Horsemanship which allows for a better communication with the horse and makes riding safer for you.
  • Riding is in the center of almost all the activities on the ranch. When we don't move cattle or sheep to a different pasture, we check fences and reservoirs, look for strays, practice team penning or ranch sorting, learn how to rope (and shoot) or go on a trail ride enjoying the scenic views and abundant wildlife.

Riding Lessons

On Sunday morning we do an introduction for all new guests and we offer riding instruction throughout the rides, but if time allows, we also offer individual riding lessons which are usually for free.

Details

basic riding lessons

Given by

wrangler, horse trainer, ranch owner or manager

Location

on the trail, in the arena

Natural Horsemanship Clinic

Details

Additionally charged

Focuses on

We train our horses the Parelli way (natural horsemanship) which allows for a better communication with the horses and makes riding safer for you. If you are interested in learning more, we can teach you some of the basics.

Cattle work - pasture gathers

We work cattle several times a week all through guest season. We have our own cow/calf herd (incl. bulls) as well as yearlings, but also help neighbors with their cattle work. Guests participate on horseback, sometimes there is work to be done on the ground as well. We also attend brandings in spring and later summer and guests are welcome to participate.

When

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Interaction

Guests participate

Sheep work - pasture gathers

We are helping a neighbor with moving various herds of sheep (between 200 and 600 head) in the prairie. Guests participate on horseback. In July we also attend sheep dockings where guests are welcome to help.

When

Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Interaction

Guests participate

Branding work

There are usually 2 to 3 brandings we attend in spring (one is our own) and 2 to 3 brandings in later summer. Guests are welcome to participate and help with wrestling and doctoring calves.

In July we attend several sheep dockings (equivalent to cattle brandings). Guests are also welcome to participate with holding lambs, applying paint brands etc.

When

May, Jun, Aug, Sep

No. of Branding

5 to 6

Interaction

Guests participate

Calving work

We are pasture calving in May and early June, and guests can watch. There is little to do as we only intervene if there is a problem.

When

May, Jun

Interaction

Guests watch

Arena Work

If time allows, we do team penning and ranch sorting with our small herd of Longhorn cattle in our open arena (and sometimes out on pasture). We also teach guests how to rope from the ground as well as from horseback.

Type

outdoor arena

Activities

penning, sorting, roping from the ground, roping from horseback

Lowdown

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)

    $230

  • Nightly Rates (non-rider)

    $100

  • Minimum Stay

    1 week

  • Preferred Arrival Day

    Sat

  • Preferred Departure Day

    Sat

  • Style of accommodation

    Ranch rustic

  • Packages available

    1 week, 2 week

New Haven Ranch can cater for up to 10 guests. Accommodation includes Cabins and Lodges. See below for details and indicative rates.

Cabin | Cabin

Rates (Per Person)

$230

Rates (Additional Info)

Ask us for discounts: early-bird booking, groups, longer stays, late season etc.

Rates include riding, ranch activities, accommodations and meals.

Not included: taxes, gratuity, airport transport, alcoholic beverages/sodas and activities off the ranch.

Minimum Stay

1 week

Description

About 300 yards from main lodge. Queen bed in open loft, bathroom, fully-equipped kitchenette, seating area (sofa works as additional full-sized bed), wood stove, space heaters and AC. Bedding, towels, hair dryer, soap and shower gel included. Free WiFi.

Guests can use washer/dryer in lodge, also hot tub and pool table.

Rooms

1

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

fridge, microwave, hair dryer, seating area, air conditioning, wood fireplace, washer / dryer

Entertainment

tv, dvd, vhs, hot tub

Lodge | Lodge

Rates (Per Person)

$230

Rates (Additional Info)

Ask us for discounts: early-bird booking, groups, longer stays, late season etc.

Rates include riding, ranch activities, accommodations and meals.

Not included: taxes, gratuity, airport transport, alcoholic beverages/sodas and activities off the ranch.

Minimum Stay

1 week

Description

All rooms have private bathrooms (some en-suite, some across the hallway). We provide bed linens and towels, hair dryer, shower gel, hand soap.

Central heating/AC. Free Wi-Fi. Deck, pool table and hot tub.

Guests can use common refrigerators.

Rooms

5

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

fridge, microwave, hair dryer, seating area, air conditioning, washer / dryer

Entertainment

tv, dvd, vhs, hot tub

Booking Policy

Ask us for discounts: early-bird booking, groups, longer stays, late-season etc.

No single room charge.

Minimum age (for riding): 16

Maximum age (for riding): 70

Riding and ranch activities at one's own risk (we'll ask you to sign a liability waiver). We highly recommend (travel) health insurance.

The deposit is 25% (50% for groups of 3 and more) and due at the time of booking (personal check or money order or transfer in US$ onto our American bank account).

The deposit is non-refundable, we recommend trip insurance.

The remainder of the payment is due upon arrival on the ranch (cash, personal checks, money order or traveler checks).

Sorry, we do not accept credit cards!

Included in your stay

meals, activities, lodging, Riding, visit of Devils Tower National Monument

Extras

Tax

US$3.90 per day or US$27.30 per week lodging and sales tax

Gratuity

10% gratuity charge

Other

BYO alcoholic drinks and sodas (if you use our airport transfer, we will stop at a Walmart on our way to the ranch) Activities/meals off the ranch (i.e. rodeo entry) Airport transfer if required (US$150 for the round-trip)

Lowdown

  • You can borrow

    Cowboy hats, Cowboy boots, Riding helmets, Saddle bags, Rain coats

  • Communications

    Wireless Internet/Wifi.

Onsite

Shopping

Guests can buy ranch merchandise items.

Water based Activities

hot tub, lake swimming, boating

Fishing & Wildlife

Our lake is stocked with trout, crappies and catfish.

Fishing on offer

stocked pond, lake, equipment available, unguided

Wildlife

Deer, antelope, bob cats, porcupines, skunks, raccoons, prairie dogs, turkeys, eagles, beavers, coyotes, foxes, snakes, mountain lions ...

Local Attractions

Devils Tower National Monument

Just half an hour away is the US' first National Monument, Devils Tower. The ancient volcanic vent which was exposed by millions of years of erosion is the setting of many movies and a holy place for the Lakota Indians.

Distance

20 miles / 30 mins

Ranch shuttle

We bring guests there for free.

Black Hills

Within an hour or two guests can reach the old gold-digger town of Deadwood, the motorcycle hub Sturgis, the presidential heads of Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park with a big buffalo herd, and Badlands National Park.

Distance

75 to 150 miles / 1 hour 30 mins

Rental car

Required

Bighorn Mountains and Yellowstone National Park

Within a day guests can drive to the Bighorn Mountains and its quaint towns of Buffalo and Sheridan, visit the battlefield on the Little Bighorn River where Lakota chief Sitting Bull defeated General Custer and the US' first national park, Yellowstone, as well as the Grand Tetons and the Western towns of Jackson Hole and Cody!

Rental car

Required

Highs

  • There's a lot of interesting local history – the ranch is actually sitting on an old ghost town, and you can still see the remains of some buildings and tractors today!
  • There are no single traveler supplements to pay and they offer a special non-rider rate, too
  • Their rates are very competitive and affordable
  • If you're looking for a more adult-oriented ranch, this could be a great place for you as they don't allow children under 16 to ride

Lows

  • The accommodation is mainly rooms in a lodge, however they do have one cabin available so if you're looking for a vacation a in cabin, make sure you book early to avoid disappointment