Category: General Ranch Information

Have your summer family vacation travel plans been cancelled leaving you scrambling for something else to do this summer?  Are you tired of Zoom meetings and all the screen time you and your kids have had the last few months? Do you just need to get away from technology and take time to really connect as a family?  Are you avoiding air travel right now and looking for family road trip ideas?  Do you enjoy wide open spaces and great adventures? 

If any of these questions rings true with you, then a dude ranch vacation may be just what you’re looking for. Pack up your car and hit the road for a fun Utah family vacation. A dude ranch is usually found in a rural location, away from the hustle and bustle and crowds of the city.  We often call the Rockin’ R Ranch in Antimony, Utah, a sanctuary. A place to put down your phone and enjoy time outdoors. Antimony is about as small as a town can be, with a population of 125 people, give or take, who are outnumbered many times over by horses, cows, and other livestock. The Rockin’ R features a beautiful pine lodge designed for guests and visitors as a unique location for a true western vacation. 

The Rockin’ R Ranch is known for being a great family reunion venue, family road trip destination, or just a place to go to enjoy the great outdoors. The dude ranch is about three hours from the Salt Lake Valley and four hours from Las Vegas. It’s the perfect destination for your last minute road trip this summer.  Even better, it’s easy to social distance here, although we prefer the term “physical distance”.  We welcome the social aspect and provide visitors with western activities, amenities and more for an authentic dude ranch vacation.

Experience Life on a Real Dude Ranch this Summer

Summer is upon us and given the current circumstances many are dealing with cancelled summer vacation plans. Though it may seem disheartening, we’ve got a solution. Dare we say a solution that could be even more memorable than the vacation you previously planned. The Rockin’ R Ranch is a retreat like no other, a place where you can turn off your electronic devices, slow down, and enjoy face-to-face conversations with family members.  You can build relationships while enjoying activities you’ll remember for years to come.  Horseback riding, of course, is the main event at our guest ranch in Southern Utah. Whether you’ve ridden a horse for years or are getting on a horse for the first time, we will adapt the riding to your skill level to provide the best experience. 

Let us paint a picture for you. Imagine riding your horse through the meadows and fields and up into the hills and mountains behind the lodge at Rockin R where you’ll look down over the valley below to a view that is guaranteed not to disappoint. If you’re up for a challenge you can test your speed on your horse as you weave in and out of the poles in the arena or race around the barrels.  For intermediate and advanced riders who want our most authentic cowboy experience, consider a cattle drive vacation.  We offer three cattle drives (two nights and four nights) each year.  You’ll  have the chance to camp at our Cow Camp in the mountains, help herd cattle and learn how to be a real cowhand. 

 The Rockin’ R Activities and Amenities are Endless

Maybe you would rather test your skills as you aim for the target’s bullseye with your bow and arrow at our archery range or lasso one of our “calf heads”  while learning the ropes, literally.  A leisurely wagon ride through our small town may be just what you’re looking for while you learn some of the history of Antimony, Utah.  Young and old alike will enjoy our activities. Check out more information on the many dude ranch activities we offer at the Rockin’ R Ranch. 

At the Rockin’ R Ranch, you are not limited to just the activities we offer either.  If you like to fish, you’ll find some of the best trout fishing ever on nearby streams and Otter Creek Lake.  If you bring ATV’s, dirt bikes, or mountain bikes, you’ll find miles and miles of nearby trails for riding.  Scenic Bryce Canyon National Park is only 45 minutes from the Ranch. The possibilities are endless.

Lodging and meals are also included in your dude ranch experience at the Rockin’ R.  Our guest accommodations are beautiful.  A comfortable guest room with a private bathroom in our large three-story, western-themed lodge awaits you after a day full of activities.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are delicious home-style cooking so you’re sure not to go hungry.  Our gift shop sells refreshing ice cream cones for hot summer afternoons and other snacks for your enjoyment.  

Rockin’ R Ranch Protocol During Covid-19

The safety of our guests has always been a top priority at the Rockin’ R Ranch.  And now with the current circumstances throughout the world, it’s become even more front and center in the way we are conducting our business this season.  Our cleaning protocol is more intense than ever as we keep the lodge clean, especially the common areas of the lodge.  We are encouraging frequent hand washing of guests and staff, and we have plenty of hand sanitizer at the lodge entrances.  All of our activities are outdoors, which makes physical distancing even easier.  Our food preparation and serving areas are mindful of safety, and there is plenty of dining area for you to spread out between families while you eat. For questions regarding lodging for our 2020 season, feel free to contact us. We would love to speak with you. 

Plan an Unforgettable Family Summer Vacation

As you plan for your summer vacation  this year, although things around the world may be a little different right now, wonderful family bonding experiences are still available nearby.  The Rockin’ R Ranch would like to be part of your next family road trip.  When you sit around our campfire at night roasting marshmallows and talking about the day’s activities, don’t forget to look up into the sky where you’ll see more stars that you ever knew existed.  It will take your breath away.  Who knew that social distancing could be so enjoyable?  Reserve your spot now at the Rockin’ R Ranch.  A horse is waiting for you.

Summer is back at the Rockin’ R Ranch. We have had plenty of wonderful guests stay with us so far. Check out what a travel reporter had to say about us from the Chicago Tribune! http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-0608-dude-ranch-20100608,0,5081946,full.story

The Rockin’ R Ranch is happy to announce that on Fri & Sat nights starting April 30th we will open our dinners to the public. Our dinners will include Hand cut steaks to order, Roasted Chicken quarters, Shrimp, and Chef Mitch’s Rockin’ Ribs. We will have Fresh homemade salads, soups, Dinner Rolls, Breads, and “Uncle Easy’s” superb desserts. On the 30th we will have live music with the “Coyote Town Cryers”. We are also offering package deals with an overnight stay, breakfast and a morning horseback ride(Saturday’s only) Including an offer on the korean ginseng to include in your diet. So Please call 435-624-3250 for reservations, questions & directions. See ya all on Friday!!

This past weekend we had a great time over Easter. We had a wonderful Easter Egg hunt, and I swear I saw the Easter Bunny hopping through the lodge. The Black family has had a great tradition of a Easter Egg hunt on the grounds at the Rockin’ R and it seems to be getting bigger and better every year. This year we had kids of all ages hunting for the surprises left by that rascally rabbit. Spring is on it’s way here at the Rockin’ R and our days are filling up with horse rides, ATV’s and all sorts of ranch activities. The heifers are having calves and we have a new crop of baby horses on the way. So come early this year and enjoy the lovely newness of spring with us.One of the main concerns of pregnant women are the stretch-marks, but fortunately nowadays technology make possible that women get rid of stretch marks. Brandon Hanks

Here is another great poem by legendary Arthur Chapman

Out Among the Big Things

Out among the big things —
The mountains and the plains —
An hour ain’t important,
Nor are the hour’s gains;
The feller in the city
Is hurried night and day,
But out among the big things
He learns the calmer way.

Out among the big things —
The skies that never end —
To lose a day ain’t nothin’,
The days are here to spend;
So why not give ‘em freely,
Enjoyin’ as we go?
I somehow can’t help thinkin’
The good Lord means life so.

Out among the big things —
The heights that gleam afar —
A feller gets to wonder
What means each distant star;
He may not get an answer,
But somehow, every night
He feels, among the big things,
That everything’s all right.

From Out where the West Begins, 1917

When I was younger, my father, stepmother and I went on a winter day drive. We were living in Utah Valley at the time and we decided to start our day by heading up Provo Canyon. Our aimless driving eventually brought us to Strawberry Reservoir, a beautiful high mountain reservoir south of Heber, UT. It was a gorgeous day, the sun was shining, the snow was sparkling and the wind had blown all the snow off the lake. As you could probably guess there were quite a few Ice-fisherman out, sitting around in their tents or on their lawn chairs, patiently waiting for a bite.  We decided to go out on the lake just to check things out. Since the wind had blown all the snow off the lake you could see through the ice and down into the water. It was a very eerie feeling, the ice was cracking, and making creaking noises( I found out later that if you can hear the ice creaking it means it is very safe). My stepmother was not an outdoors person and had married into a family of fisherman and hunters. She was always asking question about the new things that she was experiencing and she had no idea that people could fish on the ice. She asked my father, “Is ice fishing different then regular fishing?” My father replied, “Yes, it is very different, you drill a hole in the ice…grab a stick…then sit around and wait for the fish to come up for air”. He waited a moment then continued “When they come up for air…you hit them on the head as hard and as fast as you can”. She was very excited to try this technique, click for more info ! My father and I went to look for an abandoned fishing hole, while my stepmother went and found us some sticks. We found an abandoned hole, dug out the thin skim of ice on top and grabbed the sticks that she brought and settled down. She silently stared at the hole very intensely for the next half an hour. She finally broke the silence by saying, “Boy these fish can hold their breath for an awful long time”. The ice-fishing down at Otter Creek Reservoir is really hot right now. We have had quite a few guests tell us how much fun they are having. Come on down and do some fishing this winter. We have very affordable winter rates here at the Rockin’ R and we are only 5 minutes away from the reservoir. Come on down, I promise the fish won’t hold their breath forever! Brandon Hanks Rockin’ R Manager

The past few weeks I have been reading quite a bit of Cowboy poetry. It is a art that has gained quite a bit of popularity over the last decade. There are many Poetry readings throughout the west. The Poetry to me, gives a connotation to a way of life that is slowly fading. I will occasionally include some poetry on the Rockin’ R Blog to help keep that feeling alive. Please feel free to share your favorite poem as well. Here is a great poem written by Arthur Chapman

Out Where the West Begins

Out where the handclasp’s a little stronger

Out where the smile dwells a little longer

That’s where the West begins;

Out where the sun is a little brighter,

Where the snows that fall are a trifle whiter,

Where the bonds of home are a wee bit tighter,

That’s where the West begins,

Out where the skies are a trifle bluer,

Out where the friendship’s a little truer,

That’s where the West begins;

Where there is laughter in every streamlet flowing,

Where there is more of reaping and less of sowing-

That’s where the West begins

Out where the world is in the making

Where fewer hearts with despair are aching-

That’s where the West begin;

Where there’s more of singing a less of sighing,

Where there ‘s more of giving and less of buying,

And a man makes friends without half trying,

That’s where the West begins.

Cowman‘s Prayer Now, O Lord, please lend me thine ear, The prayer of a cattleman to hear, No doubt the prayers may seem strange, But I want you to bless our cattle range. Bless the round-ups year by year, And don’t forget the growing steer; Water the lands with brooks and rills For my cattle that roam on a thousand hills. Prairie fires, won’t you please stop? Let thunder roll and water drop. It frightens me to see the smoke; Unless it’s stopped, I’ll go dead broke. As you, O Lord, my herd behold, It represents a sack of gold; I think at least five cents a pound Will be the price of beef the year around. One thing more and then I’m through,— Instead of one calf, give my cows two. I may pray different from other men But I’ve had my say, and now, Amen. Author: unknown

The Rockin’ R is not only a world class guest ranch, but also a working cattle ranch and during this time of year the cows are usually all snug and cozy in their corrals. However, when Creston (the owner) counted the cattle a few days ago he discovered that we were short about 40 head. We have all taken turns, over the last couple of days, going out into the Mountains to search for these strays. Yesterday, my wife and I put on our long johns, and went out to look for our lost bovines (don’t worry, we also wore pants, sweatshirts and coats). We saddled the horses and off we went. Our destination was Hidden Springs, a beautiful natural spring , nestled deep in a rocky canyon. Because the country is so vast we decided to ride in different directions. I went north and my wife headed west. In the end we only found 9 cows, but it was an awesome experience. The snow was deep and all the water was frozen. It is very different being up in the hills during the winter time. The world is very hushed and tranquil. The only thing one hears is the sound of your horse breathing and his hoofs crunching in the snow. It seemed that even the cattle didn’t want to break the silence and remained quiet as we pushed them down towards the ranch. I felt like we had moved back in time. I am always a little saddened when we finally return to the ranch. It is hard to return to the business of life after experiencing the hush & tranquility that the winter mountains bring. Brandon Hanks

Yesterday (Jan 8th) we were invaded by a boy scout troop from the Bloomington Ward out of St. George UT. They planned a Ice-Fishing trip down at Otter Creek Reservoir and stayed a night here at the Rockin R. They had a fireside(by the fireplace) and played pool, and ping pong. They brought a wonderful spirit and we were sure glad to have them here. The Rockin R has been providing a wholesome atmosphere for youth for over 30 yrs now. If you look at the photos below you can definitely see how times have changed, but not the spirit. As I look around the Ranch, and ponder about my youth, I realize that the the Rockin R has the ability to create powerful long lasting memories. There just isn’t anyplace like it! I am not talking about beautiful location, or the authentic “old west” 3 story lodge. Those things add to the spirit of what I am talking about, but what I am trying to explain is that the wholesome spirit of all the memories made here, help create a one of a kind place that cannot be found anywhere in the world. I wish that everyone could enjoy it! Brandon Hanks