Westgate River Ranch Resort

A Dude Ranch in the Middle of Florida

Most people do not associate Florida with dude ranches. The state conjures beaches, theme parks, and swamp — not cowboys. But an hour south of Orlando, tucked along the Kissimmee River in a part of the state that tourists rarely see, Westgate River Ranch Resort sits on 1,700 acres of genuine cattle country. It is one of the most unusual glamping experiences in Florida, and one of the best if you are traveling with kids.

The property has operated as a dude ranch since long before Westgate Resorts acquired it, and despite the corporate ownership, the cowboy identity runs deep. There are working cattle, a real rodeo arena, trail horses, and the kind of wide-open Florida prairie that most visitors to the state never encounter. It feels nothing like Orlando, which is precisely the point.

The Glamping Tents

Westgate’s luxury glamping tents are a step above what the word “tent” typically implies. Each one spans more than 500 square feet — roughly the size of a studio apartment — with a proper queen or king bed, climate control (air conditioning is non-negotiable in Central Florida), a full en-suite bathroom with hot water, and a furnished front porch. Some units include a kitchenette and hot tub, which pushes the experience closer to a cabin rental than anything resembling camping.

The interiors lean into the ranch aesthetic with cowhide accents and rustic wood details, but the bones are comfortable and modern. You will sleep well, stay cool, and have everything you need without walking to a shared bathhouse. For families with young children who want the idea of sleeping in a tent without any of the inconvenience, these hit the mark.

Activities — The Real Draw

The activity roster is where Westgate River Ranch earns its keep. The Saturday Night Rodeo is the headline act — a full-scale professional rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and calf roping that draws locals and guests alike. It is loud, dusty, and genuinely thrilling, the kind of experience that kids will talk about for months.

Beyond the rodeo, the list is long: horseback riding through pine flatwoods, archery, trap and skeet shooting, airboat tours through the Kissimmee River marshes, a petting zoo, mini golf, and the River Country Water Park with slides and a splash pad. There is also fishing, canoeing, and swamp buggy rides for anyone who wants to see alligators in their natural habitat.

The catch — and it is worth noting — is that most of these activities carry additional fees. A family of four can easily spend $200 or more per day on top of the nightly rate. Budget accordingly.

Who It Is For — and Who Should Skip It

This is a family destination, full stop. Westgate River Ranch is at its best when you have kids old enough to ride horses, shoot arrows, and sit through a rodeo without melting down. The sheer volume of things to do means that the dreaded “I’m bored” never surfaces, which is worth a lot when you are planning a weekend away with children.

Couples seeking a quiet, romantic retreat should look elsewhere. The resort runs busy on weekends, with families everywhere and a commercial energy that does not lend itself to intimacy. The glamping tents themselves are comfortable, but the surrounding atmosphere is more summer camp than secluded getaway. If you want stillness and privacy in Florida, there are better options.

Groups can have a great time here — the ranch setting lends itself to bachelor and bachelorette weekends with a different flavor, and the activity options keep large parties entertained without much planning.

Location and Getting There

The resort sits about an hour south of Orlando off US-441, which makes it an easy add-on to a theme park trip or a standalone weekend escape. The drive south takes you through the quiet interior of the state — flat ranch land, cypress hammocks, and very little traffic once you leave the highway. It is a useful reminder that Florida is far more than its coastline.

For more glamping options across the state, including quieter picks for couples and beachside alternatives, see our full Florida glamping guide.