Saddle Up: Fall Guest Ranch Stays in BC's Interior

By Amber Turnau August 14, 2024

This story was originally published in August, 2020.

Fall is a time for cozy adventures, as the quiet calm of autumn replaces the frenetic pace of summer. Get back to basics with a rejuvenating guest ranch stay in BC’s Interior, where rugged adventure meets homey rural living and comfort.

Embrace being off the grid and choose your activities: meander through auburn grasslands, spotting wildlife along the way; canter on horseback amidst radiant fall foliage; release your inner cowboy/cowgirl as you work with a guide to help herd cattle and tend to animals. When the day is done, don your wool socks and enjoy home-style cooking and a bonfire beneath the starry night.

Fall in love with country life when you stay in one of these guest ranches.

Saying hello to the horses at Terra Nostra Guest Ranch | Kari Medig

Terra Nostra Guest Ranch

Terra Nostra Guest Ranch, overlooking the tranquil Clearwater Lake, is located at the edge of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park between the the communities of Bella Coola and Williams Lake off Highway 20. Stay in a rustic lodge, converted barn, or log cabin (there are also RV pads and campsites available). During your visit, indulge in hearty pioneer-inspired meals cooked over an open outdoor grill (especially the wood-fired pizza). Check out a host of other activities: flightseeing from their lakeside dock, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, of course. In the evenings, guests enjoy cozying up in the large living room beside the stone fireplace.

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Overlooking the Fraser River on a hike near Clinton, Blake Jorgenson | Exploring fall foliage in the Cariboo Chilcotin, @annam511 | Wild horses roaming free, @bleachedblack

Spring Lake Ranch

The Spring Lake Ranch (about 15 kilometres from 100 Mile House) is surrounded by 10,000 acres of trails and forest. Continuing on with the tradition of hospitality from the Gold Rush days, the ranch offers a relaxing stay in beautiful log cabins and chalets. Book a one- to five-hour horseback ride, as you rustle through the grass, trotting past lakes, farm houses, and creeks. You can also enjoy fishing, paddling, refreshing lake swims, and wildlife viewing.

A trail ride near Big Creek Lodge | Big Creek Lodge

Big Creek Lodge

Escape to the Cariboo Chilcotin wilderness for a stay in an intimate setting at Big Creek Lodge, located about one hour south of Hanceville (an authentic frontier town on Highway 20). Relax in the log cabin-style lodge, soak in the hot tub, and cozy up with a book from their library. Add some adventure to the trip by booking one of their guided adventures: horseback riding, fishing, camping, or an expedition to nearby Big Creek Provincial Park, which is home to moose, grizzlies, California bighorn sheep, and more.

Myra Canyon Lodge

Experience the beauty of fall in the Okanagan with a stay at the Myra Canyon Lodge, where you’ll have ample room to roam. Just 20 minutes from Kelowna, this contemporary, European-inspired ranch overlooks Okanagan Lake and the valley below. The ranch, which is surrounded by Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park, is a gateway to adventure in the area. Venture over 18 old railway trestles in Myra Canyon and the Kettle Valley Trail, located 10 minutes up the road. Hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and wine tasting (The Vibrant Vine Winery and Kitsch Wines) are also part of the fun. The ranch offers fat bike and e-bike rentals for riding the large network of trails nearby.

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Myra Canyon Ranch overlooking Okanagan Lake, Kari Medig | Getting ready for a trail ride, Kari Medig | Autumn in Osoyoos, @macormedia

Mountain Valley Ranch B&B

Plan a getaway to Mountain Valley Ranch B&B, just four kilometres from the historic town of Bridesville in the heart of Boundary Country. Stay in one of three guest suites at the ranch and experience a warm, family environment in a peaceful mountain setting. Satisfy your appetite with delicious home cooking, discover remote lakes, and adventure along the backcountry roads with a 4X4. Sample local wines Oliver or Osoyoos vineyards, or simply stay put and soak up the beautiful simplicity of ranch life.

Camping under the stars at Arosa Ranch | Jaydev Desai

Arosa Ranch

Nestled in Bridesville between the Okanagan Valley and Boundary Country, Arosa Ranch offers a picturesque and rustic setting with comfortable amenities (think: above ground pool, Nordic sauna, and WiFi). Accommodations include: bed and breakfast suites, a quaint self-catering cabin, and RV or tenting sites. Arosa, surrounded by mountains, farmland, and rolling ranges, is just a 45-kilometre country drive away from Oliver’s vineyards, and guests will discover backcountry adventures, walking trails, biking, fishing, and swimming holes galore. No matter where you roam on the property, you’ll be under the watchful gaze of Anarchist Mountain—a popular hike that offers panoramic views of the valley from its lookout (accessed from Osoyoos).

Old Cowboy Ranch

When fall descends upon the southwestern corner of Boundary Country, the larch and poplar trees come alive with fiery autumnal hues. Book a private riverside campsite or guesthouse stay on the Old Cowboy Ranch, a working ranch located on the shores of the Kettle River near the towns of Rock Creek and Westbridge. Enjoy the fall landscapes by horseback as you take a trail ride over streams and through meadows—with foothills and ranch land as far as the eye can see. Roast marshmallows and tell ghost stories around the outdoor fire pit and meet the ranch’s menagerie of animals: two miniature horses, an emu, sixty peacocks, and a donkey.

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Christina Lake near Grand Folks in fall, @nomadic.owen | Enjoying the autumn foliage in Grand Forks, @aleena_stoochnoff | Cowboy boots, Michael Bednar

PV Ranch Adventures

Find peace and tranquility in a charming cottage nestled on the bank of the Granby River. PV Ranch Adventures in Grand Forks is situated in the Monashee Mountains, with vast nature at its doorstep. Its riverfront location is a springboard to plenty of secret swimming holes and fishing spots. Grand Forks itself offers an abundance of outdoor adventure and cultural discovery. Explore the city’s eclectic heritage and architecture, head for a paddle in nearby Christina Lake, or walk or bike the southern BC leg of The Great Trail, which spans Canada. The fertile valleys are abundant with farm-fresh produce. Celebrate the fall harvest and pick up provisions and artisan goodies at the farmers market on Tuesdays and Fridays through October.

Feature Image: Horseback Riding at Terra Nostra Guest Ranch. Photo: Kari Medig

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BC is home to a number of guest ranches open in the fall. Here is a handy map to get your bearings and to help you plan your stay.