A dude ranch is a ranch which either accepts paying guests, or caters to them, depending on how the ranch is set up. Dude ranching dates back to the late 1800s, with the term “dude ranch” itself dating to the 1920s, when the Dude Ranchers' Association was founded. People generally visit a dude ranch for the purpose of vacationing, to enjoy the natural beauty of relatively undeveloped regions, and to participate in a range of ranching related activities.

Dude ranching started in the United States, as a natural outgrowth of the romanticization of the West. Wealthy Easterners, known as dudes, traveled to the West to experience ranches, and ranches seized an opportunity and started charging for it. The phenomenon spread throughout the West, and today hundreds of ranches offer dude ranching experiences; the dude ranch concept has also spread to Australia, another nation which is famous for its ranching.

There are a number of different types of dude ranch. In a working dude ranch, visitors can stay at an actual working ranch, participating in activities related to the working of the ranch. Some people enjoy visiting working ranches to get a taste of what ranching is like, and to experience the culture of the West. Typically, people who visit a working ranch are expected to work, participating in things like cattle handling and gardening.

A riding dude ranch is a dude ranch which focuses specifically on horseback riding. Riding ranches offer instruction to people at all levels of ability. Riders can go on trail rides, work in the ring, and enjoy the natural surroundings of the ranch. Another type of dude ranch, the resort ranch, offers a more resort-like atmosphere which promotes relaxation and offers a range of activities from horseback riding to singalongs. Other dude ranches offering hunting opportunities, with both native and imported animals.

Because dude ranches are so varied, people who want to go on a dude ranch vacation should think about what kind of experience they want to have, and seek out a ranch which will meet their expectations. If relaxation is a primary goal, a resort ranch is definitely the way to go, while people who like a little work with their vacations might want to seek out a working dude ranch.

Some dude ranches accept guests year-round, while others are only open during certain seasons. As a general rule, summer tends to be a busier season, and rates will be higher during the summer. In ranches that accept guests in the winter, guests can sometimes get lower rates and a more intimate experience.