Get away from it all with a trip to a working cattle ranch

Nevada's Western heritage comes to life for those who visit any of the state's rural ranches that welcome vacationing guests. Scattered across the Sagebrush State's vast outback, several working cattle ranches serve as the backdrop for vacations that include many kinds of adventures and myriad activities. Many are historic properties. All offer relaxation, comfortable accommodations, hearty ranch meals, attention to detail and Western hospitality.

Located just 45 miles from Las Vegas, the Sandy Valley Ranch on the Nevada-California border welcomes visitors all year. This ranch run by Southern Nevada native Marilyn Gubler caters mainly to Las Vegas tourists, conventioneers and corporate groups. Often selected as a location for filming, the ranch attracts media attention, and recently garnered a feature for its cuisine on a popular television chef program.

Overnight guests stay in assorted accommodations, including guest houses, trailers, tents, teepees and a tricked-out covered wagon. Visitors enjoy exploring the desert ranch on horseback, moving small herds of cattle, cattle penning and helping to feed assorted ranch livestock and poultry. For details and reservations, call (760) 657-5400 or visit www. sandyvalleyranch.com.

The Horse-n-Fly Ranch lies north of Tonopah beyond Belmont ghost town in Central Nevada's Monitor Valley, about 280 miles from Las Vegas. Located at more than 7,000 feet elevation, the ranch welcomes from two to six guests, even in winter. It offers horseback rides, all-terrain vehicle exploration, swimming hole with slide, tubs fed by a hot spring, scenic hot air balloon rides and colorful balloon flare-ups after dark. Guests stay in a refurbished rock building once used as a stagecoach stop, in a large teepee or in the ranch house. Visit the ranch website at www.horseflyranch.com or phone (775) 761-7777.

Remotely situated in Humboldt County north of Gerlach, the historic Soldier Meadows Guest Ranch is surrounded by wilderness and conservation areas that help preserve its magnificent scenery. The high desert ranch lies along the Lassen-Applegate trail used from mid-1840s to the late 1860s by emigrants. The oldest buildings at the ranch date from around 1866, a time of strife with Native American groups. Cavalry soldiers from the California Volunteers built Camp McGarry at nearby Summit Lake to protect travelers, but spent winters at Soldier Meadows because of the lower elevation and numerous hot springs.

Guests at Soldier Meadows not only participate in ranch activities, but they pursue many self-guided outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, off-highway exploration, wildlife watching, fishing and hunting in season, gold panning and hunting for gemstones. Guests stay in the lodge and a variety of other housing. There are also facilities for tent and RV camping. Inquire about equipment or license you will need to bring to the site for some activities. Visit www.soldiermeadows.com or call (775) 849-1666.

A large working ranch since 1879, the 71 Ranch near Deeth in Elko County offers "City Slickers"-style working cowboy vacations with other activities from April through early November. The ranch welcomes up to 15 guests, housing them in a spacious lodge, cozy cabins or a real sod house and feeding them very well. Call (775) 753-6745 or visit www.71ranch.com.

Tent Mountain Guest Ranch lies in Elko County's Starr Valley near the Humboldt Mountains east of the Rugby Range about 350 miles from Las Vegas. Guests assist with livestock chores, including processing milk for cheese. Possibilities for fishing, hunting, target shooting, day trips, overnight campouts and winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling keep guests busy. Obtain details at (775) 752-2120 or visit www. tentmountainguestranch.com.

Long a working ranch in Elko County north of Wells near the lofty Jarbidge Mountains, the Cottonwood Ranch has welcomed guests for 50 years. Accommodating up to 19 guests in the spacious lodge, the ranch offers many activities including summer livestock drives and winter sports. Call (775) 752-0817 or (775) 275-0453 or explore online at www.cottonwoodguestranch.com.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.