Blame Beyoncé: Cowboy-Core Vacays Are A Thing

Giddy up, y’all — Western wear isn’t just for the Met Gala anymore.

Thanks to Yellowstone, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and a collective urge to trade screen time for starry skies, travelers are ditching city lights for campfire nights. Riding the cowboy-core wave straight to the ranch, “frontier tourism” is officially a thing.  

Not to be confused with undiscovered destinations — this isn’t about finding places no one’s been before — it’s about tapping into the wild, remote and rugged, whether that’s a Wyoming dude ranch, a luxe Montana lodge or a Texas cattle drive.

Beyoncé just announced the Cowboy Carter tour (fresh off her Grammy win for Album of the Year) and Skyscanner has added a horseback riding filter to its search engine. Translation: it's time to break out those chaps and go from city folk to cow poke.   

If the Wild, Wild West is calling, here's where to go to channel your inner cowboy:

^{Every hotel on Late Checkout is independently selected by us. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.}   

The Resort at Paws Up Montana, Greenough, MT

If Montana had a dream vacation cheat code, it’d be Paws Up — a 37,000-acre luxury Michelin Key ranch just 35 minutes from Missoula, where you can fly-fish at sunrise, herd cattle by noon and feast on a Chuckwagon dinner under the stars. With over 50 activities and 100 miles of trails, adventure comes standard — whether that’s ATV riding, horseback trekking or floating down the Blackfoot River. Three James Beard Award-winning chefs keep the meals top-tier, and if you time it right, you can hit Cowgirl Roundup, a women-led weekend of riding, roping and fireside cocktails. Plus, you’ll get a Lexus SUV to roam the ranch in style.

Rates from $3,490, book here.  

Virginian Lodge, Jackson Hole, WY

This adventure hub puts you right near the action with two hot tubs, an all-season pool and seven fire pits made for après-everything hangs. The iconic Virginian Saloon pours stiff drinks, while Billy’s Burgers serves up massive, burgers in a retro diner setting. Need road trip provisions? Midtown Liquor’s got you covered before you head out to Grand Teton, Yellowstone or hot springs. Whether you're here for wildlife, whiskey or wide-open spaces, this is basecamp done right.

Rates from $179, book here.  

‍Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, River Ranch, FL

Just an hour south of Orlando, this 1,700-acre dude ranch is the ultimate Florida wilderness escape, blending classic cowboy energy with luxury glamping on the scenic Kissimmee River. Adventure is non-stop — horseback riding, airboat tours, skeet shooting, swamp buggy rides, even bungee jumping — with a full-service marina, adventure park and a saloon to keep the good times rolling. Glamping steals the show, from Luxe Teepees to Conestoga Wagons, giving you that rustic-chic escape minus the roughing it. Cap it off with the Saturday night rodeo and a sunset by the fire, s’mores in hand.

Rates from $163, book here.  

Under Canvas Yosemite, Groveland, CA  

Opening May 15 – Oct. 27, 2025, this next-level glamping escape sits just 10 minutes from Yosemite’s main entrance. Sleep under towering California Black Oaks and Ponderosa Pines in a king-size bed with plush linens, then spend your days hiking, swimming and spotting local wildlife. Back at camp, unwind with al fresco dining, yoga and next-level stargazing. It’s Yosemite, but make it luxe.

Rates from $494, book here.

Champion Ranch, Rochelle, TX

Sprawled across 7,000 acres, this invite-only retreat is like Yellowstone, but with better cocktails and a Guy Fieri-designed kitchen. Spend your days tearing through open landscapes, swapping stories around a crackling campfire and indulging in next-level eats. After dark, kick back in decked-out suites, sip something strong in the trophy room and soak up an endless starlit sky. Oh, and did we mention the 70+ exotic species roaming the property? Keep an eye out for Waldo, the resident giraffe — if you can spot him.

Rates from $800, book here.

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