An Authentic and Unmatched Dude Ranch Experience

The Darwin Ranch, a historic dude ranch near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is like nothing else in America. Drawing inspiration from safari lodges of East Africa, we offer unparalleled experiences and unforgettable hospitality at our secluded high-altitude oasis.

At the most remote guest ranch in the lower 48 United States, surrounded by national forest in every direction, you will find a herd of horses dotting a spectacular green river valley amid a collection of 100-year-old cabins. The Darwin Ranch sits beside the mountainous Gros Ventre Wilderness, a hidden gem of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem across the valley from Grand Teton National Park.

We are remote and rugged, yet luxurious and comfortable. Choose an all-inclusive dude ranch vacation where you ride on horseback in wild terrain by day, and sit down to a farm-to-table meal in the evening. We have built a community at The Darwin that keeps guests returning for decades. Find out why staying at our Wyoming ranch feels like family.

Guests have been staying at Darwin Ranch for 120 years

The Darwin is an adventure like nothing else in the country. On the National Register of Historic Places, our authentic dude ranch experience honors the history of this land and brings people together.

Settle into our hand-built log cabins

Enjoy the timeless comforts of our cozy beds with crisp sheets & down pillows, wood-burning stoves for chilly nights, private baths, and hydropower-generated electricity.

Immerse yourself in the wilderness on guided horseback rides

We will help you plan your days so you are as challenged as you wish to be. We remain one of a few horse ranches that allow some guests to ride without a guide.

Enjoy all-inclusive, farm-to-table food

Our menus are healthy, made from scratch, vegetable-forward, varied, and casual. Our cooks are experienced, imaginative, and inspired by chefs and traditions from around the world.

Relax by the river after a long day of adventure

The Darwin offers a riverside wood-fire sauna and hot-tub for relaxation at the end of the day.

Fly fish on remote areas of the Upper Gros Ventre River

The native Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout continue to thrive in a healthy fishery, alongside the native Rocky Mountain whitefish.

Discover world-class hiking in solitude

Whether you desire a simple sojourn across the meadow or a day-long endeavor that takes you to ridge lines with unparalleled views, trails from our guest ranch lead to remote Wyoming peaks, glacial lakes, and alpine meadows.

Share in our values as a sustainable ranch resort

With rotational grazing, sustainable power production, locally sourced organic food, strong environmental ethics, and the unique opportunity to disconnect, The Darwin is a dude ranch like no other.

Top of the List: America’s Best Dude Ranches by Travel & Leisure (2023)
“Located about a three-hour drive from Jackson, Wyoming, Darwin Ranch calls itself the most remote guest ranch in the contiguous 48 states. And while peace and quiet are definitely on the menu, so is a delicious roundup of fare sourced primarily from Darwin's sister property, the Ishawooa Mesa Ranch. After you've eaten your fill, head out for a day of adventure, which can include anything from fly fishing, hiking, and horseback riding to relaxing in the wood-fired sauna and hot tub.” (Travel & Leisure, America’s Best Dude Ranches, 2023)

With a ranch vacation at The Darwin, you can spend the day horse riding and hiking across mountain ridges without a soul for miles in any direction. You might wet a line or settle into an afternoon with a book. Savor extraordinary meals prepared by our farm-to-table kitchen that sources directly from our family farm. Gather for cocktails on the porch of the main lodge overlooking the twists and turns of the Gros Ventre River, or watch the sunset while soaking in our wood-fired hot tub. Drift off to sleep in our stunning hand-built cabins, whose modern style blends gracefully into the bones of 100-year-old structures.

Our Wyoming guest ranch near Jackson Hole offers unparalleled access to the epic remoteness of the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Gros Ventre Wilderness; the freedom to make the adventure your own; the best food out West: fresh, local, organic, homemade, and delicious; and dedicated service that quietly assures that your experience is unforgettable.

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Family Run and Family Friendly

Perfect for a family dude ranch vacation, The Darwin is run by the mother-son team of Kathy Bole and Oliver Klingenstein, in a fairly tidy indoor-outdoor split.

Kathy oversees bookings, cabins, lodge operations and the kitchen. She is a passionate cook, and spent most of her working life in retail food and restaurant kitchens.

Oliver's early love for horses and Western lands led him to the study of environmental history, and he is a wilderness EMT and a farrier. He is responsible for the physical infrastructure, hydropower system, and the rotational grazing program. Oliver also oversees guest recreation and manages our herd of horses, including the purchasing and training of the mustangs.

Mother and Son Kathy Bole and Oliver Klingenstein, Proprietors of Darwin Ranch Near Jackson, Wyoming

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Guest Reviews on TripAdvisor
“Our family has been fortunate to travel many parts of the U.S., Central American, Europe and other parts of the world together. After spending six nights at The Darwin, we can honestly say it is a world class destination. The setting is gorgeous (breathtaking on horse rides and hikes); the animals are friendly and treated so well; the fly fishing is top notch and secluded; the food is gourmet, creative, and only "farm to table" ingredients used; the wood-fired hot tub and sauna was an incredible way to be in nature by the river after a day of adventures and before Happy Hour; and the staff made us feel like family from the moment we were greeted by Laura upon arrival.”
-Krista P, TripAdvisor, August 2023