Cataloochee Ranch: A Chic Southern Take on a Dude Ranch Escape

When someone mentions a family dude ranch vacation, your mind probably heads straight out West: the vast skies of Montana; the towering Rockies of Colorado; the grasslands and valleys of Wyoming. But high in the Blue Ridge Mountains sits a gem that offers that same adventurous flavor with a distinct Southern twist: Cataloochee Ranch, one of the Southeast’s best-kept secrets. It’s a different kind of Wild West here … western North Carolina, to be precise, with rhododendrons and piney woods standing in for desert sage and open plains.

The staff likes to refer to Cataloochee’s vibe as “pinky-up rustic,” and I can’t think of a better phrase to capture it. You’ll find all the horseback riding, cattle herding and outdoor pursuits you’d expect from a working ranch, paired with top-drawer accommodations and cuisine that are as far away from roughing it as you can get.

Review and Highlights of Cataloochee Ranch

The Setting

Founded in the 1930s, Cataloochee has always been about embracing and honoring the surrounding landscape rather than the other way around. Its 800-plus acres of rolling pastureland and forest, virtually all pristine, sit on the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s also next door to the Cataloochee Ski Area, a big draw to this corner of the mountains in wintertime (and, as it happens, the first place I ever skied, back when I was a tween growing up just a few hours south in Georgia).

Cataloochee is the sister property of The Swag, a refined yet relaxed mountain retreat that sits just a few ridges away — you can actually ride between them on horseback if you like. Whether you’re coming with kids, on a couples’ retreat or — as I did — for a girlfriends’ getaway, it’s a welcome invitation to unplug and settle into the rhythm of ranch life.

Accommodations

Twelve freestanding cabins are scattered around the heart of the property; just up the hill, a lodge known as Silverbell houses half a dozen suites. Our one-bedroom cabin, called Palmer, was airy and open, with a small wet bar and mini fridge plus a wraparound porch on which we could relax and enjoy views of the wooded scenery and the onsite pond. The decor pays tribute to classic lodge style; ranch motifs keep company with whitewashed timbers, beaded board, industrial accents and cheeky touches like a grid of brightly painted deer skulls mounted on the wall.

In addition to a king bedroom and ensuite bath, Palmer has a spacious living area with a queen sleeper sofa, which the staff will make up while you’re out for the evening. All cabins include working fireplaces, and ours was a welcome spot to nestle down with a cozy blanket at the end of the day (even in summer, the mountain evenings can get crisp).

TIP: For travelers with limited mobility, Palmer is the one cabin that’s fully accessible. There’s also an accessible lodge room, dubbed Moody, that can be connected with the Gooseberry room next door to sleep up to six people, ideal for multigenerational families.

Onsite Activities

Horseback riding is among the main draws at Cataloochee Ranch, with ample opportunities for all experience levels (minimum age 8) ranging from hourlong sessions to half-day ridgetop trail excursions in group or private form. Some 15 steeds — quarter horses, Tennessee walking horses and others — call the barn home, and equestrian manager Tracy Reed is happy to introduce guests to her charges. One of the standout experiences is the guided ride to The Swag for the weekly gourmet lunch picnic held at Gooseberry Knob, a perfect pairing of chef-driven menus and mountainous vistas.

Younger kids can join in with lead-line rides, where an expert guide holds the reins, or get their horse fix via “Painting with the Ponies.” They’ll squirt and dab paint on a canvas, then cover it with plastic wrap, top it with treats and let the horse lick at them to swirl the paint beneath … every bit as cute as it sounds.

For those who prefer hiking boots to cowboy boots, the ranch is laced with trails at varying levels of intensity. A treetop challenge course (minimum age 8) offers a network of tightropes plus three ziplines. Other diversions include archery, axe throwing, birdwatching and air rifles; you can also try your hand at fly-fishing nearby or head for the stocked pond onsite with fishing gear borrowed from the Mercantile, Cataloochee’s shop and canteen. A new swimming pool is in the works and should open in time for warm weather next year.

I strongly recommend booking a UTV tour of the property, too — it’s a great way to get the lay of the land and visit some of the farthest reaches of Cataloochee’s acreage. We had a blast zipping through the woods and along the fields with our guide in a sturdy, semi-enclosed vehicle, stopping now and then to stretch our legs amid the trails, fields and waterfall pools. The tour’s high point, literally and figuratively, is Hemphill Bald, from which you’ll have an unbelievable panorama over the Blue Ridge and the ranch buildings far below. It’s preternaturally peaceful as you watch the clouds drift in and out, and there’s even an opening in the fence that lets you step right into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hemphill Bald is also reachable on foot via a steep, 3.5-mile out-and-back trail.

Another highlight you won’t want to miss: the complimentary evening cattle feeding. Trace Guyer, the ranch’s young and enthusiastic director of cattle operations, drives guests out to the pasture to meet the herd, and you’ll hear about how the ranch’s cattle program works as you hold out fistfuls of a grain mixture for the cows to munch. They’re surprisingly gentle and very eager for their snack — giggles galore for kids as the soft muzzles tickle their palms. Tip: You’ll be walking through tall grass, so wear clothes that can get dusty, then go back and change for dinner.

If you need a rest from outdoor adventures or an activity for a rainy day, the ranch offers a menu of creative workshops like watercolor painting, botanical monoprinting and basic pottery (they host a kids-only version called Clay Camp several times a week). We signed up for a leather stamping lesson and spent a fun couple of hours with mallets and embossing tools in hand, crafting a set of personalized coasters to take home. Or practice your putts at the “golf saloon,” a simulator that allows you to play virtual holes on courses around the world and includes a junior mode for younger golfers. In the mood for a little pampering? Head to The Still, the on-property spa at The Swag, for a delightful massage or facial.

Dining

With so much happening on-property, you can’t help but work up an appetite. All meals are served in Switchback, a gorgeous, high-ceilinged lodge that was once the main ranch building. Breakfast, included with your stay, starts the day on a delicious note with crowd pleasers like chicken and waffles or fluffy biscuits smothered in sausage gravy. Lunchtime brings burgers, salads, bowls and wood-fired pizzas, while weekends swap lunch for a deluxe brunch that draws locals as well as ranch guests.

The dinner menu marries Southern flavors with global ingredients, showcasing the kitchen’s creative range yet preserving a sense of place. While certain standbys remain on the menu, others change weekly according to the time of year — you might find smoked trout dip with housemade crackers, duck with Japanese hakurei turnips and salsify, or roasted beets with yogurt, mint and cherry peppers. For dessert, our favorite was the make-your-own gelato sandwich — you can choose from either chocolate chip cookies or a seasonal version, and decide on the gelato flavor you want tucked between them as well.

We were lucky enough to be at the ranch for the Wednesday night cookout, the liveliest meal of the week (offered from spring through late fall). The massive dining room doors that lead to the patio are thrown wide, and the scent of smoke from the wood-fired forge oven will kindle your appetite as you mingle with other guests and enjoy the live music in the background. The culinary team sets up a buffet laden with brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and trout, accompanied by a rainbow of hearty sides like mac and cheese, various salads, cornbread, barbecue beans and fresh vegetables. And if you have a sweet tooth, you’re in the right place … I counted at least five different treats, including a pineapple upside down cake rich with caramelly goodness.

Along with The Swag, Cataloochee Ranch was recently named a DarkSky Approved Lodging by DarkSky International — the first such achievement on the East Coast — and programming is in the works to make the most of the incredible stargazing in the area. In the meantime, it’s a joy simply to sit outdoors and look upward as twilight fades away. After a day of mountain air and adventure, there’s no better finale than watching the stars emerge, one by twinkling one, over the silhouetted peaks in the distance.

Things to Know

• Room rates include breakfast and several complimentary activities (a daily morning stroll, cattle feeding, hiking and fishing in the onsite pond). Lunch, dinner and most activities are fee-based.
• The ranch is open year-round, with ski season, fall leaf season and weekends seeing the highest demand.
• Asheville Regional Airport is about an hour away by car, and the major hubs of Charlotte (CLT) and Atlanta (ATL) are within a 3- to 3 1/2-hour drive.

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and destinations in North Carolina on Ciao Bambino

The Swag: A Smoky Mountain hideaway that feels like home

Natural wonders at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Best spring break ideas for families in the Southeast

Southeast college tour & vacation itinerary

72 hours in Charleston with kids

Photos by Lisa Frederick except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.