Find Your Inner Lone Ranger On A Riding Holiday

[Sam Ward]

Disney’s Lone Ranger unmasked its fair share of critics, but tour operator Ranch Rider claims the iconic scenery; explosive train journeys and Native American narrative is turning armchair travellers into Wild West wanderers.

Ideal for anyone hoping to find their inner Lone Ranger, the riding holiday specialist has rounded up five of its best ranch stays where greenhorns can get into character. Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider, comments “New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, California and Utah feature on the list on filming locations, but adventurers in search of an authentic western experience have plenty more opportunities to indulge in the romanticism of this bygone era. Montana and Idaho are also great places to saddle up and travel back in time to frontier America.”

While Idaho doesn’t feature in the movie, its historic links to the silver mining industry, and today's many abandoned ghost towns make the Gem state a must for Lone Ranger wannabes. The 4D Long Horn Working Ranch is located in the beautiful high meadows of the scenic West Mountains, guest’s driving and doctoring the ranch’s herd of longhorns, roping the cattle or trying out with a bow and arrow. Chuckwagon cookouts and cowboy campfires make this a truly authentic experience. Save 50% (£539pp) when two people book! 7-nights with Ranch Rider from only £539pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, meals, ranch activities (including riding), use of ranch facilities and taxes. Discount valid on all 2013 departures (from now through October). Excludes transfers from £70pp, gratuities as left to guests’ discretion and return flight from £839pp.

An honorary member of the Comanche, Depp has also stated that he may share his ancestry with the Cherokee. Cabin number six at Texas’ Wildcatter Resort & Spa, offers spectacular views over Herron Bend, once the home of this Native American tribe. While silver bullets are a no go, there’s the option to shoot ‘em up at the six-point clay shooting range, and adventurers can rope, ride and even drive the Angus cattle. 6-nights with Ranch Rider from £939pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, most meals, ranch activities (exc. spa treatments), taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £249 and return flight from £739pp. Year round departures.

Arizona’s White Stallion Guest Ranch offers all day rides through the Saguaro National Forest, with the opportunity to view ancient Native American petroglyphs along the way. The Spanish style property is also a mere 30-minute drive from the Old Tucson Film Studios, regular stunt demonstrations and Lone Ranger style staged gun fights appealing to Wild West fans. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £799pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes, transfers and gratuities. Excludes return flight from £789pp. Year round departures.

The Colorado Trails has its own film set. Depp fans should take a stroll down “Main Street,” the guest ranch’s western town featuring a trading post, soda fountain, jail, saloon, and authentic to the last, an opera house for live evening entertainment. 7-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,405pp (two sharing) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Car hire from £250 and return flight from £849pp. Seasonal departures June to September. According to IMDB, the Lone Ranger train scenes were filmed in Durango. Add on a "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!" Colorado adventure, the vintage Durango To Silverton Narrow Gauge Steam Railway maintained in its 1923-1925 condition. Prices and departures on request.

New Mexico’s Double E Working/Guest Ranch runs eco-horseback adventures in the Gila Wilderness. Composed of creeks, meadows, steep canyons and rocky mesas, each journey on the Nature & Native Ruins Weeks will uncover archeological treasures dating back to almost 1,000 years ago, when the Mimbres Indians inhabited the area. 6-nights with Ranch Rider from £1,390pp (no single supplement) including, accommodation, meals, most ranch activities, taxes and gratuities. Excludes car hire from £250 and return flight from £839pp. Year round departures.

Ranch Rider; 01509 618 811; [e-mail]; www.ranchrider.com. ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150. All prices subject to availability.