The southern Wyoming sun doesn’t shine down on concrete shopping malls or mega-Marriotts. Instead, it illuminates high-mountain prairielands dotted with cattle, train tracks laid by westward pioneers, two million unspoiled acres of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, and over 30,000 acres of the incomparable Brush Creek Ranch. Honored as the #1 Resort Hotel in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel and Leisure, Brush Creek Ranch consists of the main lodge & spa, French Creek Sportsman Club, and – our favorite – Magee Homestead.
Magee Homstead is a luxurious, adult-only ranch retreat within the Brush Creek Ranch collection. Both a Relais & Chateaux and Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star property, the homestead consists of 9 cabins with a maximum of 27 guests, making it the perfect prairie hideaway for a romantic escape.
The cabins at Magee Homestead sit nestled like a little village out on the open range with the dining room situated on one end of the outpost and the pool and spa on the other. Each of the log cabins have been historically restored from original structures on the century-old ranch. Today, the luxurious accommodations boast fine linens, antique ranch furniture, and rustic-chic decor.
Take your time waking up in the morning with hot coffee – just how you like it – delivered to your door. Sip your cuppa joe from your plush bed while watching horses graze out the back window or enjoy it outside in the sweet mountain air from the front porch rocking chair.
When it’s time to head to breakfast, or any meal at Magee Homestead, you’re greeted with delicious, seasonal fare – like Lemon blueberry pancakes! Chef AJ Buchanio leads the culinary team and is driven by a focus on fresh, organic and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Beyond the 6,000 sq ft onsite greenhouse, the Brush Creek Ranch collection is 1 of only 3 locations in the world licensed to raise Akaushi cattle. Dine on the rare, premium-grade Japanese beef for lunch poolside with a burger or enjoy a prime cut of Akaushi ribeye for dinner. For dinner time, choose a table outside on the restaurant’s terrace and marvel at the sinking Western sun as it paints the vast Prairie sky brilliant shades of tangerine, violet and cotton-candy pink.
In addition to the intimate setting at Magee Homestead, the service is impeccable and completely tailored to your experience. If you’re intrigued, like us, to take a peek at the ranch’s state-of-the-art greenhouse, just ask the friendly staff and suburban will be waiting – with engine and air-conditioning on – to transport you in no time. The largest in Wyoming, it’s well worth a visit!
Beyond the sheer scope and beauty of the ranch-land, our favorite aspect of the Magee Homestead experience was the activities. As an all-inclusive luxury experience, you have a wealth of top-of-the-line outdoor activities at your disposal, as well as some options à-la-carte. Activities include fly-fishing, horseback riding, shooting sports, scenic floats, hiking, ATV adventures, yoga and more.
The Magee Homestead set up for shooting sports was one of the most impressive we’ve ever seen. Atop a peak with panoramic views, we spent a thrilling morning shooting shotguns at sporting clays, pistols at close-range targets, and rifles at long-range targets.
Guides like Eli are world-class, so even if you’ve never shot before, you’re in exceptional hands and are guaranteed to have a wildly exhilarating experience.
Orvis-endorsed, Magee Homestead has some of the best fly-fishing on the planet. Within the Brush Creek Ranch’s 30,000+ acres, you have access to over 22 miles of crystalline waters, including the renowned blue ribbon North Platte River. With overcast skies and prime fishing conditions, we had a brilliant experience catching trout in a thriving creek-fed pond. Our guide Clayton’s valuable instruction and constant fly-changing allowed us to try different styles and catch lots of trout. There’s nothing more relaxing than casting away the day in the Wyoming wilderness.
After a morning activity, you can embark on more afternoon adventures or unwind at the homestead’s pool or spa. Located next to each other, you can hop from the massage table to a poolside lounger to continue relaxing. But don’t rush outside too quickly. There are a host of spa facilities to indulge in, including a steam room, sauna, and indoor, hot-tub grotto!
After a treatment or activity, there’s no better spot to place yourself than beside the pool. When you need a break from the sun, head for shade under one of the cabanas and sip a refreshing cocktail. At such an intimate property, you are never battling crowds for a pool or cabana lounger!
From the pre-arrival phone call with the concierge to the farewell send-off from the amazing ranch team, the experience at Magee Homestead is simply outstanding; and perhaps, only outdone by Mother Nature herself and the awe-inspiring landscape of southern Wyoming.
Compass + Twine was a welcomed guest of the Magee Homestead and thanks them for the truly beautiful ranch experience. As always, all opinions are our own.
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