Lucasia Ranch Vacations - Living the spirit of the west!

This historic ranch nestled in the Alberta Foothills was established in 1881 by Colonel Lyndon and is a testament to days gone by. Today the Lucasia Ranch is a family-owned working ranch that welcomes guests from all over the world introducing them to the western way of life. Wayne and Judy Lucas take pride in the ranches historic legacy. Their three sons Rusty, Brett and Flint divide their time between ranch life and other interests and their daughter and her family run a farm about 30 miles east of the ranch.

Join the ranch cowboys in the ranch activities such as cattle drives, branding days, seasonal round-ups and regular checks on the cattle and horses. Herd cattle through the picturesque Porcupine Hills of southwestern Alberta.

Spend your days in the saddle and your evenings by a crackling campfire or relaxing on the deck watching the sun go down. Watch for herds of elk and deer mingling with Texas Longhorns, Crossbred cattle, Percheron, Appaloosa and Quarter horses on the 4000 acres of vast open country that comprises the Lucasia Ranch.

Take in team roping practice and learn the basics of roping the dummy, challenge someone to a game of horseshoes, enjoy an evening of firepit cameraderie or hike the hills and watch for birds and other wildlife.

The Lucasia Ranch is only 1-1/2 hour drive from either the Calgary International Airport or from the US Montana border crossing. It is often used as a staging area to drive to Banff, Waterton National Park, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump or Calgary and you can return the same day.

Accommodation

Lucasia Ranch enjoys a set of well-established, ranch buildings some of which date back to the 1800s. Choose from accommodation in the main ranch home that has two double guest rooms with shared bath and a sitting room on a private floor, or you can experience the life of a pioneer in the refurbished 1900’s log bunkhouse or stay in the new self-contained log cabin featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms and living area on the main floor and a loft.

Enjoy home cooked meals made with ranch-raised beef, plenty of vegetables and delicious homemade desserts. There’s also a hearty ranch breakfast.

At day’s end relax around the firepit or watch the sun go down resting on the spacious deck by the spring-fed brook that bubbles through the ranch yard feeding into a pond that’s home to ducks and geese. Sit a spell in the peaceful shade garden or wander about the yard scattered with trees, flowers & birdlife.

Guest conveniences also include TV, VCR with varied videos/DVDs, a woodburning fireplace and a horseshoe pit (varies with each accommodation).

Note: There is no cell phone service at the Ranch.

Cattle Drives

In the beautiful Porcupine Hills spend some quality time on horseback working with some 600 head of cattle and 80 horses. The week package is recommended to give you time to get to not only know your horse, but gain a bit of knowledge about the terrain in the surrounding hills.

The first part of June (weather permitting) the yearlings are taken into the Forest Reserve. They’re gathered and driven three miles to the neighbours’ corrals where they are held there overnight. In the morning you can join the cowboys to combine the herd and move them between 15 to 20 miles into the Forest Reserve.

Mid July (weather permitting) the second drive is similar to the first and moves the heifers that have been in with the bulls for the past 6 weeks to the same pasture.

The third cattle drive is the Fall Roundup, taking place about mid-October as the cattle need to be out of the Forest Reserve by the 15th of the month. Leaving early you ride into the Reserve from the back of the ranch. The cattle are gathered and pushed into the corral set-up located in the Reserve. At days end there’s a well-earned rest and great supper.

The next day is devoted to finding and corralling the stragglers. While the search is on, cowboys from the five ranches with cattle on the Reserve are separating their cattle. When everyone has retuned, each ranch leaves with their herd at different intervals. The Lucasia spread has a 7 mile cattle drive to home.

The Fall Round-up is for the more seasoned rider as it is two hard days in the saddle. There is limited space so we recommend that you book early.