The Dude Ranch Western Museum
The Dude Ranch Western Museum
A big thank you to all the ranchers and friends who visited the Dude Ranch Western Museum this summer! It was a pleasure connecting with so many who share a passion for preserving the rich history of the dude ranch industry and welcoming new faces interested in dude ranch vacations. This season, we had visitors from across the USA and beyond, with early September marking our highest visitation yet!
As we transition into the winter season, the museum is now open Monday through Thursday, 9 am-5 pm. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
WyoGives
WyoGives 2024
On July 10, 2024, the Dude Ranch Foundation proudly took part in the 4th Annual WyoGives, a 24-hour online fundraiser supporting Wyoming nonprofits. This marked our third year in a row, and once again, it was a big success for both the Foundation and many other Wyoming organizations.
This year, with the support of our ranching community and friends, we raised over $20,000—helping us continue the important work of preserving the legacy of dude ranching. Your generosity is what makes it all possible.
Overall, the 2024 WyoGives event, organized by the Wyoming Nonprofit Network, raised a record-breaking $4.67 million for 376 nonprofits across the state. In just 24 hours, 7,915 donors contributed 14,692 donations, and with $1 million in matching funds, it turned out to be an unforgettable day for Wyoming nonprofits.
We’re deeply grateful for the ongoing support from our community. We couldn’t do this without you!
Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual WyoGives on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Let’s make next year’s giving day even bigger!
The Dude Ranch Foundation Scholarship Program
Our DRF Scholarship Recipients
As the new fall semester kicks off, we want to once again congratulate the DRF scholarship recipients. We look forward to celebrating your upcoming achievements and successes. The entire community is proud of your hard work and dedication. Congratulations to all of you, our future leaders of the dude ranching industry!
Learn more about our Scholarship Program!
Celebrating the 2024 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship Recipient: Katelyn Collins
Katelyn Collins, National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship Recipient
The Dude Ranch Foundation, in partnership with Durango® Boots, is proud to announce the recipient of the 2024 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship.
Katelyn Collins, an undergraduate student at Texas Tech University studying equine science, has been awarded the inaugural $30,000 scholarship. Along with her academic accomplishments, Katelyn is an active member of the Texas Tech rodeo team and was recently crowned Miss Rodeo Texas Teen 2024.
National Day of the Cowgirl
The National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship supports young women pursuing careers in the Western industry, encouraging future leaders in agriculture, ranching, equine science, and more.
Applications for the 2025 scholarship opened on September 15, 2024. To learn more or apply, visit www.nationaldayofthecowgirl.com.
Lariat Legacy, The Magazine
Lariat Legacy, The Magazine, Volume 3
Have You Explored Lariat Legacy, The Magazine?
If not, now’s the perfect time! Dive into Volume 3 of Lariat Legacy, The Magazine, and experience the latest insights and stories from the dude ranching community.
Lariat Legacy, The Magazine, is an exclusive annual publication from the Dude Ranch Foundation, highlighting the Foundation’s work and featuring key voices in the industry. You can explore Volumes 1, 2, and 3 online—visit our magazine web page and start reading today! Click Here!
Prefer a printed copy of Volume 3? Contact us at info@duderanchfoundation.org to secure your copy today!
100 Years of Dude Ranching
A Coffee Table Book!
A Coffee Table Book
In celebration of the upcoming centennial of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, the DRA, Ranch Preservation Foundation, and the Dude Ranch Foundation are collaborating on a coffee table book project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the DRA.
The book will feature modern and historic photos of those ranches that were open and accepting guests in 1926 when the DRA was founded and continue to operate as dude ranches as members of the DRA today.
Proceeds from the book’s sales will be donated to the Dude Ranch Foundation for its non-profit work in the dude ranching industry.
The book will include large-scale modern photographs of the over 25 Centennial Ranches captured by professional photographer Scott T. Baxter.
Scott and his team have almost completed a nearly three-month tour around the West to photograph the Centennial Ranches, capturing the unique landscapes, people, and architecture that are found at each today.
Upon returning to his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, Scott will process and develop images to be selected for usage in the book and for a planned traveling art exhibition featuring his fine art portraits and other prints from this project.
Take a look at some behind-the-scenes images from Scott’s time on the road for this historic project, and enjoy some previews from Scott!
A stunning backdrop for a riding shoot at The Hideout.
Setting up the shot at Blackwater Creek Ranch.
Getting the shot.
Fly fishing at Paradise Guest Ranch.
You’ll find a special visitor who passed through during a shoot at 7D Ranch on the right-hand side of this photo.
Turns out a 5-gallon bucket is the perfect impromptu seat out on location. This one is getting decorated with stickers from Scott’s time on the road! Photo courtesy Zach Duncan.
Breakfast out on the trail at Shoshone Lodge. Photo courtesy Zach Duncan.
Scott T. Baxter: photographer and wardrobe stylist. Photo courtesy Kevin Sturman Photography.
The crew at 9 Quarter Circle Ranch. Photo courtesy Kevin Sturman Photography.
And a selection of previews from Scott. He can’t wait to dive deeper after his summer on the road!
Please Give through Bing
There are many ways to support the Dude Ranch Foundation. And Giving with Bing is one way to support that rewards everyone! Find great search results and help create great results for the Dude Ranch Foundation! Give with Bing is a feature of Microsoft Rewards that enables you to support a cause you care about simply by searching on Bing. It starts by signing up for Microsoft Rewards, their loyalty program. After joining, points earned for Bing searches will be automatically donated to your selected cause. Once you register at Give.bing.com, your search activity on Bing, at no expense to you, provides funding for the Dude Ranch Foundation. Give with Bing is currently available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Join now!
Alliance Partners
Thank you to the Alliance Partners that support the Dude Ranch Foundation mission.
Ways to Support the Dude Ranch Foundation
Donors and Supporters Are the Key to the Foundation’s Success
Every year, we count on your generosity to achieve the fundraising goal of the Dude Ranch Foundation. Please make a gift to the Dude Ranch Foundation today. Help us continue the work on behalf of these remarkable lands we call home.
- Donate
- Tribute Gifts
- Make a Planned Gift
- Donate Real Assets
- Volunteer
- Make a Tax-wise Gift of appreciated securities
- Matching Funds
- Make a charitable IRA Rollover or Qualified Charitable Distribution
- Underwrite a DRF program
- Name the Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy
- Designate the Dude Ranch Foundation through Bing
For more information. You can reach us by email at info@duderanchfoundation.org or call 307-586-1831.