Our family owned and operated working cattle ranch is situated on the edge of the Black Hills of Wyoming – near Devils Tower National Monument. Here – where one habitat melts into another – we work livestock in timbered canyon and rim rock country as well as in open sagebrush prairie. In 2003 we decided to share our unique Western lifestyle with a few guests during the summer months. Having just a
n average of 8 guests at a time allows us to offer everyone a very individual experience. Guests can become part of the operation and participate in the various ranch activities as much or as little as they like. And to be honest: We enjoy getting to know our guests beyond their names – many of them coming back year after year. Due to our goal to operate our ranch sustainably, we mimic the grazing behavior of large migrating buffalo herds which historically roamed the prairies. This entails frequent cattle moves and thus a lot of hours in the saddle. We work cattle on our ranch as well as on neighbors’ properties. There is no head-to-tail riding. When we don’t move livestock or check reservoirs and fences, we may be learning how to rope, practice team penning or just go on a trail ride enjoying the scenic views and the abundant wildlife. Guests coming for the first time are always awed by the wide open spaces of the Western wilderness. It’s like getting to live in a different world – and maybe even a different time. We run about 40 horses and will match each guest with two horses as working partners for the week. We practice Natural Horsemanship and love to involve our guests in the training, last but not least for their and the horses’ safety. Since the work and the terrain can be quite demanding at times, the minimum age for riders is 16 (maximum age 75, maximum weight 250 lbs). Beginners should be physically fit, not too timid and willing to learn. Riding lessons prior to visiting the ranch are highly recommended. Experienced riders will enjoy the varied challenges of riding on New Haven, be it climbing up a steep canyon wall on their sure footed horse, crossing creek bottoms or going after a stray at a full canter. Not to mention trying their luck at cutting in the arena, roping livestock and going on a night ride. The New Haven Ranch is part of an old ghost town. 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. Today the old buildings and machinery found all over the ranch bear witness of times that we only know from novels and movies. Accommodations:
Our lodge has five comfortable rustic bed rooms, each with its own bath room (with hair dryer, soap and shower gel) as well as one cabin with a kitchenette and a bath room. A furnace and a wood stove provide warmth on cooler days. On hot days, the central air conditioning can be turned on. Bedding and towels are provided. There is the possibility to use a washer and dryer as well. After a long day in the saddle guests can relax in our outdoor hot tub, play a round of pool, sit on the balcony with view of the Missouri Buttes or just take a walk under starry Western skies. Adventurous souls can ride their horses down to the lake and stay in the tipi for a night or two. Food:
Our open kitchen is attached to the dining and living area. Our home cooked meals are served buffet style and include a full breakfast, a lighter lunch (either eaten at the ranch or on the trail) and a hearty supper including dessert. Snacks and drinks are available for everyone at all times. Please, bring your own sodas and alcoholic beverages. Once a week (if the weather allows) there will be a BBQ at the lake. The owners and staff share most meals with the guests. We can accommodate vegetarians (also gluten-free and lactose-free) but not vegans. Sorry! Activities:
Cattle work and moving cattle from pasture to pasture, doctoring cattle, brandings, searching for strays, round-ups, loading and shipping, checking on fences and reservoirs, Natural Horsemanship, roping, team penning, pistol and rifle shooting, trap shooting, swimming/boating/fishing in and on our own lake, hiking and wildlife watching, and if available, visiting rodeos, Western dances and horse sales. Sightseeing and shopping depending on guests’ interests. We take all guests to see Devils Tower! Area Attractions:
Devils Tower, the US' first National Monument, is just half an hour away. 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. The old gold digger town of Deadwood, the Harley Davidson “mekka” Sturgis and the famous presidential heads of Mount Rushmore as well as Custer State Park can be reached within two hours or less. Within a day guests can reach Yellowstone National Park via Sheridan, the Big Horn Mountains and Cody. The South Dakota Badlands and Montana’s Battlefield on the Little Big Horn, the location of Custer’s last stand, are also less than a day away. IN SHORT
Season: mid May to mid October
Minimum stay: 7 days
Minimum age for riders: 16 (maximum age: 75)
Maximum weight: 250 lbs
Number of guests: average of 8 (maximum: 10)
Arrival day: Saturday
Departure day: Saturday and Wednesday
Airport: Rapid City, South Dakota (120 miles) or Gillette, Wyoming (70 miles)
Airport transfer: available from Rapid City, SD on Saturday (pick-up till 6 pm, drop-off from 10 am on)
Languages spoken on the ranch: English and German
Accommodations: 5 rooms with bath rooms, cabin with bath room, free WiFi, no cell phone reception, phone can be used with phone card, hot tub, pool table, central heating and air conditioning, bedding/towels and hair dryer are provided, guests can use washer and dryer, smoking only outside
Food: American Plan, home-cooked ranch style meals and weekly BBQ at the lake if the weather allows, snacks and drinks available at all times
Riding style: Western (between 3 and 8 hours a day, average 5 hours a day)
Riding ability: advanced beginner to expert rider (guests need to be able to ride in all three gaits and stay in the saddle for at least 3 hours)
Number of horses: 40 (about 35 are available for guests)
Breeds: Quarters, Paints, Appaloosas, draft horse mixes, Thoroughbreds, gaited horses
(Other than cattle and horses we also have dogs, cats, sheep, goats, poultry and a donkey.) Rates:
• $1610 per week ($230 per day)
• Non-riders $700 per week ($100 per day)
• NO SINGLE ROOM CHARGE!
• Gratuity: 10 %
• Sales and lodging tax per person: $23.10 per week/$3.30 per day
• Airport transfer per person: $150 round trip (includes pick-up and drop-off)
• We cannot accept credit cards. Not included: alcoholic drinks/sodas (i.e. Coke) and activities off the ranch. Guests can bring their own alcoholic beverages (we stop at Walmart when we pick up guests at the airport). DISCOUNTS:
10% off for early bookings (till December 1)
10% off for groups of 3 or more
10% off for the second week / 15% off for the third week
15% off for October
(discounts cannot be combined)
