This is not a dude ranch resort. Rowse’s 1+1 Ranch is a family-owned, working cattle ranch in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, and they are upfront about it: “We’re not a traditional luxury dude ranch or guest ranch resort — we work cattle. Our horses would be embarrassed to go on head-to-tail trail rides.”
The Rowse family has deep roots here — Jerry’s family placed land claims in Garfield County in 1884, part of the ranch has been in Tammy’s family for more than 75 years, and their son Kyle is a 7th-generation rancher working the land alongside them. With 800 cow/calf pairs and an award-winning quarter horse breeding program, guests join real ranch work: cattle drives across the Sandhills, fall round-up, roping, penning, and branding, ending with Tammy’s down-home cooking and campfire conversation.
It’s been recognized repeatedly as one of the best working ranch vacations in the country — “Best US Cowboy Experience” in 2010 and 2011, Top 50 Ranches worldwide, approved by the Dude Ranchers Association. Prior horse experience is highly suggested, but reviewers keep saying the family makes sure everyone is safe, fed, and sad to leave their horse behind.