Read our Guest Manual and learn the daily ins and outs of life on Ring Lake Ranch.  Included in this manual are the daily schedule, helpful information about local plants, animals, and surroundings.  Learn more about the activities offered and other tidbits of guidance to make your stay an enjoyable one.

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[rara_accordian title=”What should I bring?”]

We are located 10 miles from town on a gravel road. We have a small gift shop with sundry items, but you should plan on bringing your supplies with you.

Weather is variable – warm days and cool nights are the rule, so layers are helpful.

  • Casual clothing (jeans, sweatshirts, T shirts, shorts)
  • Long sleeves for outdoor activities
  • Sweaters and a warm jacket
  • Rain jackets (no ponchos allowed for horse riding)
  • Riding boots – smooth soles with a heel – or slick soled athletic shoes.
  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots or walking shoes. Hiking poles or a walking staff is advisable if you have difficulty in walking. Paths and walkways are hilly and rocky.
  • Sunscreen, skin moisturizer, and chapstick
  • Flashlight or headlamp (we have no exterior lights)
  • Fishing gear (a Wyoming license may be purchased online or in Dubois).
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Water bottles – 2 per person
  • Day pack or fanny pack

We have laundry facilities on site, including a washer, dryer, clothesline, and laundry soap. There is a donation bucket in the laundry room to help us cover expenses.

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[rara_accordian title=”What sort of retreat center is this?”]   We are an ecumenical retreat center and many of our guests hold religious affiliations, but everyone is welcome here. The founder of the Ranch, Maggie Kahin, said, “All are really God’s children. All will be received.” Guests come for a variety of reasons – hiking, horseback riding, fishing, programs given by renowned speakers, the community formed each week with other guests and our staff, the beautiful surroundings and the chance to renew their spirits.[/rara_accordian]
[rara_accordian title=”Why are the rates so low?”]   Our priority is to make the Ranch experience available to anyone who wishes to join us. Our guests help with dishes and clean and re-make their cabins at the end of sessions, allowing us to keep a smaller staff. Generous donations cover a portion of our operating expenses. If the fees are a burden, we have scholarship help available – please ask.[/rara_accordian]
[rara_accordian title=”What’s the schedule for the week?”]

Guests arrive between 3 and 6 pm on Sundays at the start of a seminar week and depart the next Saturday morning. We have dinner at 6 pm on Sunday, followed by an orientation at 7:30 pm.

The rest of the week generally follows this schedule:

7:30 am Morning Prayer in Chapel

8:00 am Breakfast followed by brief meditation and announcements

9:30 am Morning activities: i.e. organized hikes, trail rides

12:30 pm Lunch

5:30 pm Sharing Time in Living Room (Guests are encouraged to lead)

6:00 pm Dinner

7:30-9:00 pm Seminars – Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday[/rara_accordian]
[rara_accordian title=”What activities are there?”]    Our wranglers match up riders to horses suitable to their experience and offer orientation rides at the beginning of each session. We tailor rides to age and experience levels. All of our horses are calm, friendly and experienced in trail exploration. More experienced riders are also welcome to ask for challenging rides as the week goes on.

We also offer daily guided hikes, as well as canoeing and fishing on your own. Only two activities are required of guests: helping your dish group and cleaning and remaking your cabin before departure. All other activities—riding, canoeing, reading, hiking, fishing, napping, seminars, etc. — are up to you. More information is available on our Activities page.

If you would like to go outside of the ranch,  many guests find the Dubois Museum and the Big Horn Sheep Center interesting and informative. Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons are, of course, magnificent and two to three hours away. Hot springs and white water rafting are available in both Jackson and Thermopolis.

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[rara_accordian title=”What are the petroglyphs around the Ranch?”]   The petroglyphs on the Ranch were drawn by the Sheepeater Indians from a few hundred to several thousand years ago as part of vision quest experiences. Seminar guests are welcome to view them whenever they wish but feel free to ask staff for a guided tour since some are difficult to find. Because the petroglyphs are such a significant archaeological and cultural feature, we allow limited access to them by non-Ranch guests: Only archeologists, American Indians, school and university groups, and groups organized through the Dubois Museum will be allowed access to the petroglyphs and our other cultural resources. Any groups wishing to view the petroglyphs must obtain permission from the Ranch Director.[/rara_accordian]
[rara_accordian title=”Can I bring my family to the Ranch?”]   Mostly definitely. In fact, families have been coming to the Ranch from the beginning. Many of our programs are interesting to kids and we have kid-friendly rides and hikes. Children 12 and under come at no charge! Please note, however, that we are not able to offer childcare services either during the day or during our evening seminars. 

Please leave your pets in the safety of their own homes.

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[rara_accordian title=”What sort of meals do you offer?”]   We serve a variety of dishes, but all are tasty and filling. “The food is so good that I ate too much” is about the only complaint we hear. Let us know your special dietary needs from vegetarian to gluten intolerance; we always help.[/rara_accordian]
[rara_accordian title=”What are the cabins like?”]   Rustic but comfortable. We recommend that you check them out for yourself. Click on The Ranch, and then the link to Cabins.[/rara_accordian]
[rara_accordian title=”Is there medical care available?”]   Twenty minutes away, Dubois Clinic provides basic health care from M-F, 8-5 and a nurse practitioner has an office in town. Otherwise, hospitals in Riverton and Lander – 90 minutes away – are the closest. The majority of the staff are certified in CPR and trained in first aid.[/rara_accordian]

[rara_accordian title=”Can someone come and stay a few days for a private retreat or for part of a seminar?”]   Depending on availability, we do offer a daily rate for guests who can only stay for a few days. If you want to come during a seminar week, we ask that you arrive with other guests on Sunday afternoon to participate in our orientation Sunday evening. We have a winterized cabin for off-season use.[/rara_accordian][/rara_accordian_wrap]