V6 Cowboy experience
Live Like a Cowboy and Learn real Ranch Skills on 20,000 Acres
Upcoming Cowboy Experiences
2027 Dates coming soon!
Experience real ranch life, guided by real working cowboys
What to expect
This is the real deal, and a whole lot of fun. On this hands-on getaway, you’ll live the cowboy life while learning real ranch skills on our 20,000-acre working cattle ranch.
Spend your days riding through golden hills, helping gather and sort cattle alongside professional cowboys from the V6 Ranch and neighboring outfits. You’ll explore wide open country, pick up new skills, and get a real taste of the cowboy lifestyle, no experience needed.
Bring your own horse or ride one of our seasoned V6 Ranch Horses. Either way, you’re in for an unforgettable ride.
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:
8:00am: Breakfast and coffee in the Roundup Room.
9:30am: Saddle up and head out to gather and sort cattle in the V6 Corrals.
12:00am: Break for lunch in the Roundup Room before heading out for a scenic trail ride.
5:00pm: Unsaddle and enjoy some R&R in camp.
6:30pm: Appetizers in the Roundup Room followed by dinner and dessert.
Day 4:
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
$850 with your own horse
$1,250 with a V6 Ranch Horse
$500 deposit required at sign-up. 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.
“Oh how I look forward to my 2 visits per year at the magnificent V6 cattle ranch. The vistas are breathtaking, the ranch horses never disappoint. The entire Varian family and all the wranglers make you feel like family. Not only do you get to play cowgirl/cowboy, gather and sort cattle, you get to experience some delicious meals. I leave each trip counting the days until my next visit.”
~ Debbie 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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The V6 Cowboy Experience is 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 Experience has a group size of approximately 40 guests.
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An experienced V6 Ranch Horse is provided for all riders, however you would prefer to bring your own horse there are plenty of stalls available. Horses must be in good shape and have shoes as terrain can be steep and rocky and guests must bring their own hay.
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.
More info
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Fill out the form here to request a registration form. We are a family-run team and are frequently working on the ranch, so it can take a few days to receive a registration form. Requests will be processed in order of receipt.
Fill out and sign the V6 Ranch registration form, V6 Ranch Release and pay a $500 deposit. If a deposit is not received within seven days, your spot will be forfeited.
Your balance is due no later than 30 days prior to your arrival.
-
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.
-
The V6 Cowboy Experience is open to guests of all riding skill levels.
-
Kids ages 7 and up are welcome.
For the safety of our horses we unfortunately cannot accommodate guests over 250 lbs.
-
V6 Cowboy Experience has a group size of approximately 40 guests.
-
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.
-
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.
Get in the arena and learn from the cowboys who live it every day.