Kara Creek is located in the north east of Wyoming and is very much a working ranch. To stay here you have to be classified as either an Intermediate or Advanced rider. You also have to be prepared to "get down and get dirty!" but the rewards and memories that you come home with will last you a lifetime. Owned and run by Monte Snook and his family, Kara Creek is close to the old Cheyenne to Deadwood stage route. You are right in the old West Country here.

The sleeping accommodation is all in the ranch house, several rooms are in the basement where the staff is usually quartered, the guests are accommodated on the ground floor (two rooms, which share a bathroom) and on the upper floor there are two rooms with wonderful views. They also have to share the bathroom. Downstairs the dinning and sitting room are close together and have panoramic windows on three sides plus an enormous fireplace.

The Ranch is relatively small by American standards covering several hundred acres but the remainder of the ranch is some distance away. It is necessary to transport the horses by road if you are taking part in one of Kara Creek's "Cow Camps"

The Cow camps vary in the accommodation. Certain areas do not have a cabin so you would have tents. On the Sundance Camp there is a cabin, but you have to fetch your own water from a nearby spring. The views from this cabin make up for the lack of amenities - you sit on the veranda and looks down into large, wide valley, in which the cattle graze. The cabin is used on the occasions that there is so much cattle work to do close by and everyone is too tired to ride home. Truly a rustic experience.

This ranch is open all year round and you can start your stay any day of the week. Airport transfers are available at a cost from Gillette (approx.65 miles) or Rapid City (approx.80 miles), but given its isolated location, you may be better advised to hire a car during you stay.

• Pack trips
• Riding
• Credit cards accepted
• Fishing
• Tours or 4x4 trips available
• Guest capacity 8