Family Vacation Budget - South Dakota and Dude Ranches

South Dakota has so much to offer in the way of family vacations. On a visit to the Badlands of South Dakota, the kids can count all of the different license plates in the parking lot of Mount Rushmore, which just celebrated its 60th anniversary.

You can explore caves, pick up rocks blasted from the mountain where the colossal statue of Chief Crazy Horse is a work in progress, join a "dig" at the Mammoth Site where more than 50 giant mammoths were trapped more than 26,000 years ago, and take a Jeep tour through a buffalo herd.

You can stay at Custer State Park, where besides seeing the buffalo, you can rent an old-fashioned cabin on a lake starting at under $100 a night, go gold-panning, or make animal tracks with the kids at hands-on junior naturalist programs.

Dude Ranches
This type of family vacation is perfect for city dwellers to get out and experience real country life. Fully operational dude ranches are everywhere throughout the United States and can offer up a very memorable family vacation.

Imagine yourself taking the best vacation of your life at a dude ranch. The cool, fresh mountain air, the open spaces, the feel of a steady horse beneath you as you top the next rise... the flash of color from the dark pool as the monster trout rises to your offering...luxuriating in the warmth of the setting sun as you wait for the dinner bell's call ... shared time with family and friends.

Most of these ranches are located in the Western United States, but a little homework can find them almost everywhere.

Riding horses is the main focus of a dude ranch vacation, but accommodations can range from simple to luxurious. You can perform the job of a cowboy at a working dude ranch or choose a resort style ranch to take advantage of other activities like tennis and swimming.

Eat authentic cowboy style meals and sing cowboy songs around the campfire. In some places, you can even spend a night sleeping under the stars!

Most of these dude ranch vacations are all-inclusive meaning meals and activities are in the price of reservation. A family of four can usually have this type of vacation for under $1,000 although prices will vary according to the location.

Do your research online and choose a spot that your family will love!

Next article: Camping - The Most Affordable Family Vacation

Go to: Budgeting For A Family Vacation - Table of Content