Cottonwood is a working horse and cattle ranch located at an elevation of 6,200 ft. in the remote northeastern corner of Nevada, which boasts the purest air and one of the least travelled wilderness areas in the lower 48 states. The Smith family own and live on the ranch, carrying on their daily and seasonal duties as they have for five generations, with the only difference being that now you can be included in everything they do. You’ll eat, saddle up, ride and take care of the ranch with the family, and - most exciting of all - you’ll learn the art of holistic ranching by experiencing it first hand, driving the herds over mountains or high deserts to different pastures almost daily to ensure the health of the precious eco-system.
Accommodation is in a lodge sleeping 16, all but one room with private facilities. The lodge has a spacious lounge area with a large stone fireplace for gatherings. Ranch style cooking and barbecues will fuel you up as you practice roping, arena games on horseback, horseshoes, target shooting, fishing, take hay and buggy rides or go hiking. But you’ll probably spend most of your time riding out on the range.
Try the spring horse drive. Feel the excitement of riding the open range driving a thundering herd of horses through mountains and across rushing streams to their summer pastures. Eat delicious meals served up from the horse drawn chuck wagon. Enjoy evenings around the campfire and count the stars at night as you drift off to sleep in your own comfortable bedroll. You spend four exhilarating days on the horse drive and ride into ranch headquarters for two days of driving cattle to summer grazing. In September, you can join in the round-up of the herd then bring it down from the mountain amidst stunning autumn colours. Or experience cowboy life at its best as you ride out from mountain cow camps to check the cattle and calves, then relax round a glowing campfire with delicious meals served from a sturdy Dutch oven.

Centrally located in one of the Northwest’s most scenic recreational areas, this authentic working cattle and guest ranch has plenty to offer, along with their friendly atmosphere. Most of the ranch buildings date back to the early twentieth century, but have been renovated and modernised for guests’ convenience and comfort, whilst still retaining their western history and charm. In addition to this, the ranch cottage which is ideal for small groups or families has a bedroom with a queen bed, living room with a queen sized sofa sleeper, bathroom and kitchen.
The horse to guest ratio is two to one and guests are well matched to a horse suiting their capabilities and experience. Guests get the opportunity to ride the trails, spend time in the arena or work cattle. The more adventurous may enjoy helping the ranch hands with authentic day-to-day activities such as fixing fences and moving irrigation or even work on groundwork and horsemanship skills. Other activities available at the ranch are fly-fishing (spring and fall), hiking, horseshoes, badminton, roping practice and also included in the price is a half-day white water rafting trip. But if this is all too much for you, then just relax around the ranch.
Delicious and satisfying home cooked meals refuel tired and hungry guests, and sometimes include lunches by the river, breakfast and dinner cookouts and a ‘fine dining’ experience as an end to the perfect stay

This 1600-acre ranch has been in the same family ownership for over 40 years and offers wonderful, friendly ranch hospitality and has been home to many guests as they enjoy the variety of activities on offer. The surrounding countryside offers beauty and serenity whilst the ranch bordered by the spectacular Colville National Forest and the Colville Indian Reservation, give a taste of the old west.
The ranch offers scheduled morning rides through the meadows, forest trails and along the San Poil River where you will get stunning views that will live on in the memory. There is usually an opportunity once or twice a week to help with the various cattle and ranch chores, if you wish. The afternoons are very much left to you to fill up with maybe fishing for trout, swimming in the nearby lakes, panning for gold, hiking or just relaxing. Late afternoon and evening horseback rides are available for those wanting more riding. The ranch does not have any set children’s programme but children can ride out on the main rides from the age of 8 years old, younger children may ride in the corral. The ranch offers family style dining offering good hearty ranch fare around the great big family table. Finish the evening off by having a guest sing-along around the campfire or just swap tales about the day’s events.