Review: Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch

Why book Press pause on city life and immerse yourself in the untouched, wide-open spaces of south-central Wyoming at this all-inclusive guest ranch. For a vacation that’s a true departure from the typical day-to-day routine and in a remote but ruggedly beautiful part of the country, this is the place.

Set the scene Located on 30,000 acres of sagebrush prairie and rolling hills in Wyoming’s North Platte River Valley, this working cattle ranch is a nature-focused retreat for cowboy hat-clad business executives, multi-generational families, young professionals, and celebrities alike. Brush Creek Ranch encompasses three all-inclusive resorts—the Lodge & Spa, Magee Homestead, and French Creek Sportsmen’s Club—each with its own focus. The Lodge & Spa is the main and longest-running resort on the property, while Magee Homestead skews ultra-luxury and French Creek was designed for serious hunters and fishermen. The property is flanked on either side by the Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow mountain ranges, so the views in every direction are stunning. Twice-daily activities, led by energetic, outdoorsy guides, help guests make the most of the ranch’s massive scenic footprint via hiking, mountain biking, ATVing, horseback riding, rock climbing, fly-fishing, and more. From spirit tastings at the on-site distillery to ranch-raised American Wagyu beef, there are also plenty of opportunities for Western-inspired indulgence, too.

The backstory Originally built as a homestead by the Sterrett brothers in 1884, the ranch changed hands over the years until Bruce and Beth White bought it in 2008. They maintained its rugged feel and historic roots, but also built fresh, modern structures to ensure guests would be comfortable—and they succeeded in achieving that vision. Bruce White is a hospitality veteran; he also serves as CEO and chairman of White Lodging, which owns and operates hotels, restaurants, and bars around the country—and it shows. Staffers and guides quickly learn guests’ names and go out of their way to make every moment, from sunrise yoga to late-night s’mores, special.

The rooms Designers tastefully wove elements of Wyoming’s Wild West culture—without overdoing it—throughout the Lodge & Spa, which has several types of accommodations. There are 19 hotel-style rooms in the main Trailhead Lodge, a central gathering space where all guests eat breakfast and lunch daily. For a bit more privacy and room to spread out, there are one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom private cabins and residences that are a little farther afield from the ranch’s main gathering spaces (guests are assigned their own personal golf cart for getting around). It’s also not uncommon for companies, wedding parties, and other groups to buy out the entire Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch for a more intimate feel. Touches like stone fireplaces, knotty wood furniture, dark leather couches, cowhide chairs, fur throws, antler chandeliers, vaulted timber ceilings, deer and moose mounts, black-and-white photographs of ranch life, and other Western accents make all of the different accommodations feel equally cozy and inviting. Though there are a handful of TVs in some of the resort’s common areas, this is primarily a screen-free environment, which really puts the focus on the surrounding landscape and spending time with your travel companions; lawn games, porches lined with rocking chairs, and massive picture windows also help. Most of the ranch property has been left in its natural state, so if you visit during the summer, you’re likely to spot columbines, Indian paintbrushes, scarlet gilias, and other colorful wildflowers. Brush Creek and a handful of smaller waterways flow right through the property, and you can walk right down to the banks for a quiet moment among the trees. There are a few central areas with well-thought-out landscaping that features pollinator-friendly flowers and mountain-inspired plants, including aspen trees, purple salvia, and native grasses.

Food and drink No campfire fare here: This is a serious epicurean destination with world-class chefs and hospitality. Three years ago, the owners opened The Farm at Brush Creek Ranch, a stunningly designed food and beverage-focused complex that’s home to the high-end Cheyenne Club restaurant, a distillery, 24,000 square feet of greenhouse space (which grows many of the fruits, veggies, and herbs the ranch’s chefs use), a goat dairy and creamery, an impressive 30,000-bottle wine cellar, a rare spirits lounge (where you can order a $5,000-per-ounce pour of whiskey), and a variety of spaces for both intimate gatherings and large-scale events. Guests can book hands-on classes and info-packed tastings with many of The Farm’s talented staffers, such as a scone-baking lesson with executive pastry chef Keisha Sanderson, whose team makes every flaky pastry and sumptuous baked good served at the ranch from scratch. The ranch’s American Wagyu program also sets it apart. This prized Japanese breed of cattle, raised on the property, produces decadent, melt-in-your-mouth cuts of steak for the Cheyenne Club, some of which the ranch’s chefs dry-age for extra flavor and tenderness.

The neighborhood/area The sprawling ranch is in a scarcely populated part of Wyoming, surrounded by more than 2 million acres of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. The nearest town, Saratoga, is a 20-minute drive away and home to a private airport, but many visitors fly into Denver and either shuttle or make the three-hour drive north into Wyoming. The location makes the ranch slightly more challenging to get to, but the remoteness is the whole point. It offers unparalleled access to wilderness and wildlife: Horses graze and nap in the ranch’s lush pastures, totally unbothered by the antelope and deer who bounce through the grass nearby. On a recent weekend, I spotted dozens of species of birds—from delicate broad-tailed hummingbirds to chatty warbling vireos—as well as many scurrying prairie dogs and one adventurous marmot.

The service There are between 300 and 350 employees at the ranch in the summer. Compare that to the maximum of 150 guests, and it's clear the service is personalized and excellent. Ask anyone for help and they’ll point you in the right direction, or find someone who can. Staffers and guides are chatty and polite, without a hint of stuffiness. In some of the higher-end spaces on the ranch, like the Cheyenne Club restaurant, the service skews more formal.

For families Since there’s so much to do and (almost) everything is included in the nightly rate, Brush Creek Ranch is ideal for families. Guides can customize activities based on guests’ comfort and skill levels, so kids, parents, grandparents, and extended family members can share experiences together without anyone feeling left out. This setup also gives families lots of flexibility: Some folks might hit the mountain-bike trails while others do a relaxing wine tasting. There’s also a “lil wranglers” program so Mom and Dad can enjoy some alone time while the kids hang out with guides and play games, make arts and crafts, go rock climbing, and otherwise explore the ranch under supervision.

Anything left to mention? Make time to meet the adorable goats and sample the luscious cheeses at Medicine Bow Creamery, which is the first licensed Grade A goat dairy in Wyoming. Lindsey Washkoviak and Ben Elzay, the couple that runs the dairy and creamery located at The Farm at Brush Creek Ranch, are just as sweet as the baby goats. And though Brush Creek Ranch is most popular during Wyoming’s near-perfect summer weather, it’s also a serene winter destination with roaring fireplaces, soul-warming drinks, a private ski resort, and picturesque snowy scenes around every corner.