: : : : Short stays : : : :
(See the Available dates page
for openings)

This is a popular option for first-time guests. It gives you the chance to enjoy the ranch without committing to a week-long stay. Short Stay periods normally occur in June and September only, but not always.

Arrival and departure days – You arrive and depart on any day of the week during the Short Stay period. You have to get yourself and your gear to the ranch, and must buy a ticket if you want to ride the ferry across Florence Lake.

We suggest that you arrive at Florence Lake before noon on your arrival day to allow for the time it takes to ride the ferry and hike in to the ranch.

Checkin/Checkout times – Your accommodations will be ready for you at 2 pm. You leave at 10 am on your departure day, unless you’re going out by horse, in which case you leave at 9 am.

Accommodations – Choose one of our eight log cabins by a stream or one of five tent cabins near the river. A log cabin can hold three (3) people, and has a double bed and a single bed (cot). Each log cabin has a bathroom with toilet and wash basin with cold running water. One of the log cabins is larger, with one double bed and two twin-size beds.

Enjoy privacy and luxurious bathing in one of our two enclosed hot spring baths.

Our fireplace lounge has books, board games, playing cards and comfy furniture.

Meals – Meals are included in the Short Stays rate. Full breakfast and dinner are served either in the dining room or on the barbecue terrace, and the fixings for a sack lunch are available during the morning meal. All you need to bring is your appetite.

During the Short Stay period, we cannot always accommodate special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, wheat-free, etc. Please contact us well in advance if you have special needs, since the week’s food arrives on Fridays only.

Horseback riding – Horses may be available but we cannot guarantee their availability during our Short Stay periods. Horse use is an extra-cost option, whether for packing or for riding. We offer full-day and half-day rides to some wonderful destinations. You can also arrange an overnight pack trip into nearby Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Our rates are similar to those charged by pack stations in our area. See the Rates page for details.

All rides are guided.

We remind you again – horses are not always available during the Short Stay periods.

Remember to bring – Your sleeping bag, bath towel, a poncho (it can rain anytime during our season ), a flashlight with fresh batteries, a hat (our high elevation makes the sun especially intense).