Anyone who’s spent enough time in a city has had the “log cabin” fantasy. That yearning to be off the grid, somewhere that the congestion, lights and noise of city life fade into distant memory. For some, packing up an RV or pitching a tent under the stars scratches that itch. But for those of us who have grown a bit too accustomed to our creature comforts, sleeping on the ground without air conditioning doesn’t sound that relaxing. Fortunately, when glamping at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, no such concessions need be made.
In Polk County just an hour outside Orlando, Westgate River Ranch & Rodeo has become the go-to for glamping, with USA Today going so far as to name it the No. 1 glamping destination in the country. For those new to the concept, glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping,” two ideas that seem at odds but are realized in perfect harmony at Westgate.
During our visit, we stayed in one of the resort’s Luxe Conestoga Wagon rooms, which are fashioned after the covered wagons of yore but are a far cry from the Oregon Trail—each is air-conditioned and furnished with a king bed, sofa, dressers and a full bathroom with walk-in shower. Each wagon also includes its own golf cart for riding around the grounds and into the “town” of boutiques, as well as a friendly room concierge who is available by text 24 hours a day for any needs that may arise. Aside from the wagons, there are also luxury tent and teepee accommodations that offer the same services.
Stepping out to the back patio of the wagon, we were greeted each morning by bison loping along a plain beyond a narrow, shimmering branch of the Kissimmee River before starting our day with a hearty breakfast that was delivered and kept preserved in an insulated barrel right outside our door. From there we made our way to just a few of the many activities available at the ranch, beginning the first day with a horseback tour of a sliver of the 1,700 acres the ranch occupies.
The tour leaders provided a brief but informative lesson on the ins and outs of horseback riding before leading us along dirt roads, trails and fields. The horses ambled at a slow and smooth pace, allowing us to fully absorb the pristine landscape and the animals that live upon it—from painted ponies, goats and llamas trotting in their corrals to longhorns shading under the Spanish moss-draped oaks. The ranch itself sits surrounded by 400,000 acres of federally protected lands, and we were able to ride out just far enough to get an idea of the vast wilderness in which we found ourselves.
Throughout our weekend stay, we were able to explore even further with activities such as a breezy airboat ride through the murky waters of the Kissimmee River and a bumpy yet exhilarating swamp buggy excursion through the wetlands, which provided plenty of “yee-haw” moments as we bounced along. Other activities include a catch-and-release fishing pond, trap and skeet shooting, air rifle and archery ranges, and far more than can fit in one trip (or article). For nightlife, look no further than the River Ranch Saloon, a family-friendly throwback to Wild West watering holes with a full bar and regular live music.
At first glance, the dining might seem limited at Westgate, with only the resort’s steakhouse and a grab-and-go general store/deli to choose from, but this is quickly forgiven after a meal at the River Ranch Cattle Company chophouse. Every dish exceeded the expectations of resort dining, from the tender slab of tomahawk steak and the juicy lemon and herb-marinated half chicken to the creamy skillet mac and cheese that could raise the eyebrow of any Southern gourmand. I do wish there had been more variation in the goods available at the general store to make use of our wagon’s private patio grill, but we definitely weren’t left wanting for delicious meals during our stay.
For those planning a trip to Westgate, be sure to choose a weekend so you don’t miss the rodeo. Held every Saturday in the resort’s own arena, the Westgate rodeo is about as rootin’ and tootin’ as it gets. With cowboys being thrown off bulls and bucking broncos, and trick riders performing acrobatic feats on horseback, the rodeo was a true country-style spectacle that you can’t miss.
For more information, visit westgateresorts.com/hotels/florida/river-ranch/westgate-river-ranch-resort.
This article is from the November/December issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.
