There is something for everyone at the Andrus Ranch. Whether you are looking for a working ranch experience, or just a relaxing vacation, we can accommodate you. We don’t allow more than eight guests at a time. This ensures you get the personal touch and the one-on-one attention you deserve. You will not feel like a number here, but like one of the family. We would emphasize, however, that this is a working guest ranch, not a mountain resort. We do encourage you to join us throughout the day. Besides sitting back and relaxing, here is a small list of things you can enjoy while at the ranch. If there is a specific activity you would like to do, just let us know, we can accommodate almost any request!

Horses and Trailrides
If you are looking for a rugged mountain ride, or just a quiet stroll through the meadow, we can a accommodate you. We have a variety of horses to match the experienced rider, or even someone who has never ridden before. You will be riding custom saddles made by legendary saddle maker Ben Terrell. Perhaps they might not be as soft as a Lazy-Boy, the view will be much better.

Cattle Drives/Roundups
Join us as we are constantly rounding up cattle and moving them from one pasture to the next. Guests can ride along with the ranch hands as they make their daily rides checking cattle. This is not nose-to-tail riding, so some riding experience is preferred. Depending on the day, our rides might include everything from lush open meadows to rugged mountain trails. It all depends on where the cattle are and where they need to go that day. You will be riding professionally trained ranch horses. They might know more about moving cows than you do, but after a couple moves, you will have both the horse and the cows figured out.

Lambing and Calving
Join us in May and watch the new lambs and calves being born which is a remarkable experience for any age. We usually bring the calves in for the annual branding around the first part of June. It starts with two days of gathering the cattle out of the mountains, and then a full day of giving medicine and identifying the new calves. We still do things the traditional way, with horses, ropes and a good crew. We would love to show you how to brand a calf or give it a vaccination.

Shearing Sheep
We shear our own sheep every year throughout the month of May. It is a painless process where we cut off their winter wool coat and give them a new summer look. You will love to watch how the wool comes off and is packaged to be sent off to the woolen mills. If you are interested, we can also show you how wool is cleaned, carded, and spun; showing you how wool goes from a sheep’s back to your back! 

Herding Sheep
Although once a vital part of the Western culture, the invention of modern synthetic materials has reduced the role of sheep in America. Today, we are THE ONLY ranch in the U.S. that offer you the chance to work with sheep. We raise registered Suffolks, and have sold animals across North and South America. WE can also take you to the mountains where you can see how the Basque sheepherders still manage thousands of sheep with just a man, his horse and his dogs.

Ranch Tour
You won’t get bored wandering through the Century old barn, granaries, or other rustic buildings around the ranch. Perhaps you would enjoy checking out the various animals we have for you to feed; everything from the typical sheep and cattle to chickens and llamas. Come in early spring, and you can probably help us bottle feed the orphan lambs and calves.

Roping
For those of you who would like to add some lasso skills to your resume, we can help. Although not professional by any means, we can give you a few lessons on how to get that rope to land where you want. Once you get the hang of catching the steer head while standing on the ground, we will put you in a saddle, and see how well you can multi-task while riding a horse.

Fishing
Whether you are an avid fly fisherman, or just enjoy drowning a worm, we have the place for you. You have the choice of blue ribbon trout fishing along the Portneuf River, which runs through the ranch, or various lakes within a short driving distance. We also have a small trout pond on the ranch for those wanting an easy catch.        

Hiking
From ranch headquarters, you can hike in almost any direction and see some of the most scenic trails around. You will see a variety of wildlife (deer, elk, wild turkeys, upland game etc) as well as some of the most breathtaking mountain scenes you can imagine. We can go with you or send you with a map and let you go where you want.

Wildlife/Scenic
Bring your binoculars! You’ll love to watch all the birds and wildlife here on the ranch. Hearing the Sandhill crane and Meadowlark will become common place. (We have a variety of species to spot, including the Mountain Bluebird, Bald Eagles, Grouse, and various Hawks and Falcons just to name a few.)

If you want to see animals that stay on the ground, we have plenty of those as well. It is very common to see Mule deer, Elk, Moose, coyotes, wild turkey, badgers, and much more.

Mtn Biking
Bring your own bikes and ride some of the best trails around. You can pick a trail that best suits your style, everything from rugged to very easy.

Children’s Activities
As a family-oriented ranch, we offer a wide variety of children’s activities. (The eight children in our family will tell you boredom was never a problem.)  Children can gather eggs from the chickens, feed the baby lambs and calves with a bottle, ride the pony, make forts in the hay stack, chase the geese, snuggle the latest batch of kittens, help feed the horses, sheep and cows, play on the playground, or take short hikes up the canyon (with or without a tour guide). We also offer childcare, so you can get a way for a couple of hours each day.

Swimming/River Floating
Our ranch is just five minutes from the world famous Lava Hot Springs swimming complex. You can soak in the all-natural mineral springs, or enjoy a dive from the 30-foot diving platforms. The tube slides and children slides are also very exciting. You can also grab a tube, and float the Portneuf river. With the rapids and small water falls, it is an exciting adventure.

Pony Rides
For those children who are under the age of six, or who do not want to ride alone, we offer pony rides around the ranch. Children get the thrill of being on a real horse, while parents enjoy the added safety of having someone lead the horse around the place.

Jacuzzi
After a long days work, you are welcome to soak in the ranch hot tub. Although it is not as nice as the local hot springs, it is a lot more convenient and private.

Scouting Merit Badges
If your children are in the scouting program, we can pass them of on certain merit badges such as the Horsemanship Merit Badge. Just let us know beforehand, and we’ll make sure they do everything needed to pass it off when they get home.

Lava Hot Springs famous mineral water baths are only a five-minute ride from the ranch and are open year-round. The naturally heated springs were considered healing waters by Native Americans and are still chemical and odor free, ranging in temperature from 102° – 112° Fahrenheit. A visit to the hot baths is a great way to relax and soak away stiff muscles after a long day in the saddle. An outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool is also at the heart of the town and attracts swimmers and sun bathers from around the world. Its diving platforms are not for the weak of heart—the highest platform is 33 feet high. Other activities in Lava include a nine-hole golf course, a local history museum, winter snow-skiing, miniature golf, and floating down the Portneuf river in an inner tube. Click here to get more information		The ranch is also less than a morning’s drive away from some of the nation’s most spectacular wildlife areas and other tourist destinations including: • Jackson Hole, Wyoming • Yellowstone National Park • Yellowstone Bear World • Fort Hall Indian Reservation • Soda Springs • National Forest Trails • Salt Lake City • Boise