Lovell, Wyoming Ranch Vacations

Lovell, Wyoming sits at the heart of cattle ranch vacation country on highway 310 near the east end of the Bighorn Basin. Fed by waters that find their head in Yellowstone National Park, the Bighorn Basin is one of a handful of flat grassy intermontane basins that sit between the Rocky Mountain foothills. These basins make excellent grazing land: their even terrain and somewhat drier climate support vigorous grass growth and provide for easy horseback riding. To the east of the basin sits Bighorn Lake, a reservoir nestled within the vast canyon that marks the western side of the border between Montana and Wyoming.

Lovell was named after a local rancher, Henry Lovell. Like many men who came to Wyoming during the cattle boom of the late nineteenth century, Henry was probably attracted to this oasis in the hills by the need to graze his cattle. One can only imagine crossing the Bighorn Mountains, a terrible drudgery after the relative ease that was the Great Plains, only to land in the bucolic, flat, fertile basin. It must have seemed like providence. It was certainly enough to keep Henry there.

Today, Lovell is home to almost two and a half thousand people. It sits like a pearl on a necklace of small towns stretching from Yellowstone all the way to Bighorn Lake, each one a distinct and special community all its own. Every little town has its stories, its landmarks, and its history. Lovell is no different. Take the wonderfully authentic Hyart Theatre for example. It’s hard to miss with its four-story high green metal lattice facade and even higher neon sign. The Hyart theatre isn’t only notable for its authentic 1950s style. It also boasts the largest digital screen in Wyoming.

Just east of downtown Lovell you can find the Pryor Mountain Mustang Center. Descended from the original horses brought to the New World in the fifteenth century, Pryor Mountain mustangs are a genetically distinct protected breed. The only herd of these rare mustangs ranges across 39,650 acres of BL-managed land in Montana and Wyoming. When in Lovell, don’t pass up a chance to visit the mustang center and learn all about Pryor Mountain horses, their history, and the efforts being made to preserve them.

If you take a short trip east of Lovell, you can see the spectacular Medicine Wheel National Monument. Built and used by generations of Crow medicine men long before the arrival of Europeans, the Medicine Wheel located on top of Medicine mountain in the Bighorn National Forest continues to host vision quests and offerings of thankfulness to Creation. It is a bit of a hike to the summit but well worth it. The Medicine Wheel is one of the largest of its kind still in use.

However you spend your time in Lovell, you can rest assured you are following in the footsteps of fellow adventurers out to give the cattle life a try. Please join us in the Bighorn Basin. Just like Henry, we’re sure you’ll love the view.

While on our cattle drives and horse drives our guests have the unique opportunity to experience our cattle ranch vacations in Lovell, Wyoming. Not only do we own Dryhead Ranch in Montana but also our family owns farm land in Lovell.  Our family has owned this farm for over four generations and we are teaching our children how to care for it in hopes that it will stay in our family for many generations to come. Our cattle drive vacations and horse drive vacations occur partly at our Lovell, Wyoming farm. We greatly value time spent with our guests moving our cattle and American Quarter Horses from the farm in Lovell to Dryhead Ranch.  It gives our guests the chance to submerge themselves in authentic ranch life.

Winters in Lovell, Wyoming

Our cattle and American Quarter Horses spend their spring and summers at Dryhead Ranch in Montana but their winters at our farm in Lovell, Wyoming. The winters in Montana can be quite brutal with snow covering the ground for the entire season. Mother cows won’t dig for grass under the snow and have to be taken to Lovell where the winters are less harsh. Our mother cows and their calves winter in at the farm in order to avoid the harsher weather. Calves are more susceptible to the cold and do better out of such severe conditions.

Having our cattle and horses spend time at the farm in the winter allows us to offer the best ranch vacations Lovell, Wyoming has to offer. Our guests have the opportunity on our cattle drive vacations and horse drive vacations to drive each herd back to Dryhead Ranch in the spring or at the end of summer to the farm in Lovell, Wyoming.

The Trail to Dryhead Ranch

The trail to from Dryhead Ranch to the farm in Lovell, Wyoming follows an old Sioux Indian trail that is over 500 years old. This trail was used by the Sioux to travel the land before it was ever given a name. After hundreds of years of use this trail is the perfect path to move our large herds safely to and from our two locations. The scenery you will encounter while on this old Sioux trail is stunning and full of rustic beauty. You may even have the chance to see a wild Mustang in their natural habitat. As you spend time on our website take an opportunity to view our photo gallery. The photos we provide offer you a glimpse into the native scenery you’ll have the opportunity to view while on the most legendary ranch vacations Lovell, Wyoming has to offer.

Plan Your Loveall, Wyoming Ranch Vacation Today

Whether you spend time with us at solely at Dryhead Ranch or help move our herds of cattle and American Quarter Horses to or from our farm in Lovell, Wyoming we look forward to spending time with you. Our guests bring great joy to our lives. While you may meet us as strangers you will walk away a member of our family. For the most exciting ranch vacations Lovell, Wyoming has to offer, call Dryhead Ranch today.