V6 Cowboy Academy
Learn real ranch skills on this 20,000 acre working cattle ranch
Upcoming Cowboy Academies
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October 15-19, 2025
V6 Ranch horse rentals are sold out.
Spots available for guests bringing their own horses.On beautiful fall days take learn ranch skills like gathering and sorting cattle to roping, ranch obstacles courses and more. Go head to head for a chance to win a beautiful belt buckle.
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April 6-10, 2026
V6 Ranch horse rentals are sold out.
Spots available for guests bringing their own horses.This spring, trade the everyday for time in the saddle and hands-on ranch experience. Ride, rope, and sort cattle, with seasoned cowboys guiding you every step of the way.
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October 14-18, 2026
Spend the week sharpening your ranching skills with help from the V6 Ranch Crew. Wrap it all up with a friendly competition to test what you’ve learned, and have a little fun.
Learn the ropes and have a blast doing it
What to expect
Spend your days enjoying scenic trail rides and hands-on ranch work, learning everything from gathering and sorting cattle to roping. Bring your own horse or ride one of our trusted V6 Ranch horses.
You’ll be guided by expert wranglers including rodeo competitors, working cowboys from neighboring ranches, professional horse trainers, and our seasoned V6 crew.
At the week’s end, put your new skills to the test in a friendly competition — with a beautiful belt buckle and bragging rights waiting for the winners.
Your registration covers all meals and activities.
Accommodation
Your home base for this ride is Blue Oak Camp, nestled at the southern entrance of the V6 Ranch. Guests share access to the spacious Roundup Room, bathrooms, hot showers, campfire, and more.
RV or Tent: Bring your camper or tent. 30 water hookups available free on a first-come basis.
Parkfield Lodge: Comfortable, modern private rooms 2.7 miles from camp. Pricing varies.
Wrangler Row Glamping Tents: Canvas tents with queen and twin beds, right at camp. $125/night plus tax.
V6 Bunkhouse: Cozy rooms with twin beds, located in camp. $125/night plus tax.
Food
After a full day in the saddle, nothing hits the spot like a home-cooked meal.
All dishes are made from scratch by the V6 Ranch Crew and Varian Family, using the freshest ingredients. Savor California ranch classics like marinated top sirloin grilled over an oak BBQ, grilled vegetables, and crisp, fresh salads.
Start each morning with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, homefries, freshly baked pastries, and seasonal fruit. Lunch features sandwiches on locally baked bread with hand-sliced cold cuts and vegetables, plus delicious salads and freshly baked cookies to keep you energized.
Menu is subject to change.
Sample itinerary
Day 1:
3:00pm: Official ride start with scenic trail ride
6:30pm: Dinner and get acquainted at the V6 Blue Oak Horse Camp
Day 2,3,4:
8:00am: Breakfast and coffee in the Roundup Room.
9:00am: Practice your roping skills on the roping dummy’s with coaching from the V6 Ranch Crew.
9:30am: Saddle up and choose your adventure! Head out for a scenic trail ride, gather and sort cattle, practice your roping, or test your horse out on our ranch obstacle course.
12am: Break for lunch in the Roundup Room before heading out an choosing your adventure again!
5pm: Unsaddle and enjoy some R&R in camp.
6:30pm: Appetizers in the Roundup Room followed by dinner, dessert and music around the campfire from a local rancher.
Day 5:
8:00am: Breakfast at the Roundup Room
9:00am: Scenic Trail Ride
12:00pm: Say our good-byes until next time!
Keep in mind that schedules may vary significantly.
Pricing
$1,150 per person for guests bringing their own horse
$1,550 per person for guests riding a V6 Ranch Horse
$500 deposit due at signup
Gratuity not included.
Includes: All meals, all activities and instruction, RV or tent camping (water hookups available on first come first served basis), horse corrals (by reservation).
Glamping Tents, Bunkhouse Rooms and Lodge Rooms are not included.
“I discovered my "Inner Cowboy" several years ago and the V6 Ranch was the perfect place for me to experience the cowboy ranch life. As I've gained skills, (riding, roping, herding) the wranglers have been patient, encouraging and good humored. What I love about the V6 ranch is that it is a family, multigenerational run ranch, and the family is just terrific. Kinda inspirational really.”
- Cy L.
Frequently asked Questions
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Choose your dates. You can see all available Dude Ranch Getaway dates here.
Request registration form. Request a registration form here. We will reach out shortly and help you complete your registration.
Complete registration & pay deposit. Fill out and sign the V6 Ranch registration form, V6 Ranch Release and pay a $500 deposit.
Pay your balance. Your balance is due no later than 30 days prior to arrival.
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Due to the intimate group sizes on V6 Ranch Rides and the unique challenges of operating a small, family-owned business, cancellations have a significant impact on our business. Therefore, we must adhere to a strict cancellation policy.
General Policies
All reservations may be canceled or moved up to 60 days prior to arrival, minus a 10% processing fee.
Reservations may only be moved once. Once moved, reservations become non-refundable and may be subject to additional fees due to rising costs.
We understand that unexpected situations can arise, and for this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment. You can get a quote or sign up here: Travel Guard Insurance.
If you have to cancel or move your reservation within 60 days our policy is:
Within 60 Days of Arrival
Rescheduling within 60 days of arrival is allowed, but a $200 processing fee will apply.
The new reservation date becomes non-refundable once it is rescheduled.
Reservations that are canceled within 60 days of your arrival date result in a forfeited deposit.
Within 30 Days of Arrival
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 30 days of arrival.
Reservations cannot be moved within 30 days of arrival.
Other Important Terms
Early departures are not eligible for refunds. Guests are responsible for the full amount of the original reservation.
V6 Ranch Rides are held rain or shine – weather does not affect our ride schedule.
Medical or family emergencies do not qualify as exceptions to our cancellation policy.If you are bringing your own horse, please note:
If your horse becomes injured, sick, or otherwise unable to participate these not qualify as exceptions to our cancellation policy. Depending on availability, we may be able to provide one of our ranch horses for your ride. Additional fees will apply. Reach out to us to check availability.
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V6 Ranch Cowboy Academies are open to guests of all riding skill levels.
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Kids ages 7 and up are welcome.
For the safety of our horses we unfortunately cannot accommodate guests over 250 lbs.
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V6 Cowboy Academies have a group size of approximately 50 guests.
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V6 Ranch Horses are available on a first come first served basis.
If you would prefer to bring your own horse stalls are available by reservation. Horses must be in good shape and have shoes as terrain can be steep and rocky.
Learn more about our V6 Ranch Horses here.
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V6 ranch rides and events are held rain or shine
On a ranch in California, there is no better day than a rainy day! The ranch is BEAUTIFUL in the rain and we will do our best to ride around the rain.
A deep-dive into cow-working and roping skills with instruction from professional cowboys and cowgirls.