A Bar A Ranch

A Bar A Ranch: Guest and Cattle Ranch in Wyoming Since 1922

A Bar A Ranch is a family guest ranch located on the banks of the North Platte River, in the heart of the Medicine Bow Mountains in southern Wyoming. The property, which has welcomed guests since 1922, presents itself as one of the oldest and largest ranches in the American West. It is managed by Lissa and Justin Howe, ranch managers, continuing a family endeavor begun by Bob and Margie Howe in 1984.

Activities and Guest Programs

Outdoor activities form the core of the stay. The ranch offers hundreds of miles of trails for horseback riding and hiking, and has more than 32 miles of blue-ribbon private water for fly fishing. Shooting sports, tennis, pickleball, golf, swimming, river tubing, and outdoor games are also available.

The children's program operates unplugged and combines counselors, enriching activities, and outdoor adventures designed to create lasting memories for kids. The intensity of each day is up to the guest, who can alternate active days with more relaxed stays.

Accommodation, Facilities, and Ranch Life

The ranch's cabins and lodges combine comfort and Western character. Among the gathering spaces, the Round Room and the Dining Lodge stand out as the heart of the experience. Daily meals are presented as a highlight of the stay, with options for every taste, and evenings include cowboy songs, folk music, and time to gather with family and friends.

The ranch has a runway, Wi-Fi and phones, as well as sports and dining facilities. The tradition of the Friday night dinner ride continues as one of the standout activities of every stay.

Expeditions

The expedition program is divided into two formats: classic and self-supported. This structure allows guests to choose between guided options and others with a greater degree of autonomy, always within the natural surroundings of the ranch and its environs.

Conservation, Ranching, and Scale of Operations

A Bar A Ranch and its sister ranches, acquired by the Gates family of Denver, Colorado, in the mid-1960s, span more than 100,000 contiguous acres. The operation supports nearly 200 horses and sustainably grazes more than 5,000 cattle. Conservation and careful stewardship of the land are integral to the ranch's activities and its goal of preserving these landscapes for future generations.

Staff continuity is another distinctive feature: several members of the full-time staff and leadership team have been with the ranch for 15 years. A Bar A's growth has come largely through word of mouth and generations of returning guests. The ranch does not advertise, pay for promotional listings or awards, or work with travel agencies—a longstanding decision that reflects the personal relationships and traditions that sustain the project.

History and Institutional Ties

A Bar A's cattle ranching tradition dates back to the 1880s, while its guest ranch operation began in 1922. The ranch's stated mission is to create an environment where people can connect deeply with themselves, with others, and with the land in an authentic Western setting.

The ranch holds memberships and partnerships with the Dude Ranchers' Association, the Western Landowners' Alliance, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the University of Wyoming, Colorado State University, and the Platte Basin Timelapse project.

Location and Contact

820 A Bar A Ranch Road, Encampment, WY - 82325 · Phone: 307-327-5454 · Email: office@abararanch.com