SPL TRAVEL
61 January/February 2020 StPeteLifeMag.com
village. My stress level starting going down as soon as I turned
grazing contentedly across from the registration lodge.
This area, I later learned from property manager and rodeo
announcer Ray Duncan, served as a stopping point along the trail for
the cracker cowboys during their cattle drives across the state. They
would meet each other here at certain times of the year and bring
together the small herds of wild cattle that they had caught into one
large herd. If you are lucky enough to spend time with Duncan on a
visit, you are in for a treat. Born into an old Florida ranching family,
Duncan is an encyclopedia of facts, myths and legends on Florida
cowboys and the history of the area.
I settled into one of 10 Luxe Teepees in a village area set apart from
the rest of the bustling resort. My “tent” was a 650-square-foot
teepee with a king size bed, complete with a double-sided stone
There was a clawfoot bathtub and bidet, and a private patio deck.
Luxe Teepee guests get full access to all resort activities including
horseback riding, airboat and swamp buggy rides, archery and
skeet shooting, zip-lining and hayrides, and seats at the Saturday
night rodeo. Oh, and you get your own golf cart to zip around the
property. And you have your own Teepee Village concierge. Yes, a
concierge.
Eden, our amiable concierge, was checking in all day to answer
really happened, thank you, Eden). Every morning, she would
and lazing in a hammock, but ranch activities beckoned. For its
up-close encounter with Old Florida, I enjoyed the tractor-pulled
hayride, complete with a singing cowboy, which travels into the
adjoining 7,000-acre KICCO Wildlife Management Area.
But the Saturday night rodeo made my ranch experience complete.
of a real live rodeo – and loved it. A few line dances later at the River
Ranch Saloon and it was time for sweet dreams in my lovely waiting
teepee.
If this is camping, I am back in the game!
IF YOU GO
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch FL
The Luxe Teepee is the one of many accommodations available
at the resort. Select from lodge rooms to one and two bedroom
cabins to “rail cars” to glamping in safari style cabin tents
and the teepees. Prices change by the week and season, but
generally range from $200 for a lodge room to $500 a night
midweek for the teepees ($800 a night in season).
The resort is primarily a family destination, so be prepared. The
Luxe Teepees are your best bet for a quiet area. The rodeo takes
place every Saturday night year-round and is open to the public.
For more information, go to
westgateriverranch.com or call (863) 692-1321.
Top photo, property manager Ray Duncan oversees the ranch and is chock full of history about the cracker cowboys who once
roamed the area. Above, horseback riding and the Saturday night rodeo are just a few of the resort activities.
PHOTO/MARCIA BIGGS
/StPeteLifeMag.com
/westgateriverranch.com