Experience Hunting, Trail Rides, Trains, & Ranch Life at Ponderosa Ranch!

Unleash Your Wild Instincts

Welcome to the pristine wilderness of Northwest Nebraska, where 3,500 acres of untamed beauty await the avid hunter's pursuit. Our timbered hunting ranch stands as a haven for those seeking the thrill of the chase amidst an expansive landscape teeming with opportunities for deer, elk, turkey, and coyote hunting.

Jayme will take you out and show you around the land, then you are free to hunt wherever you would like. Deer, turkey, and elk hunting guests are welcomed on their first night with a hearty, home-cooked Nebraskan meal.

Hunting Packages

  • deer

    Deer

    4 full days of hunting. $2,200 per person. Price includes lodging. (Minimum of two guests, maximum of four guests).  Two blocks available for November firearm season: Nov. 15 – Nov. 23, 2025.  Archery & Muzzleloader $1,000 per person, call to book.

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  • A black and white silhouette of a turkey with a rounded body, prominent tail feathers, and a curved beak, standing on two legs.

    Turkey

    3 full days of hunting. $1,000 per turkey. Price includes lodging. (Minimum of two guests, maximum of four guests). Limit one turkey per person. Nebraska Spring shotgun season: April 18 – May 31, 2026.

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  • elk

    Elk

    4 full days of hunting. $3,000 per person. Price includes lodging. (maximum of four guests).  Learn more about elk permits.

    Archery bull: Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025

    Firearm bull: Sept. 21 – Oct. 31, 2025

    Early Antlerless: Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025

    Late Antlerless: Nov. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026

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  • coyote

    Coyote

    $100 per day per person. Price includes lodging.  (Maximum of four guests)

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  • mountain lion

    Mountain Lion

    $150 per day per person. Price includes lodging. (Maximum of four guests)

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trail ride

Horseback Trail Rides 

Nestled near the iconic Crawford Hill—also known as Breezy Point—our scenic guided rides provide a peaceful and memorable way to explore the breathtaking landscape through the serene wilderness of Northwest Nebraska. 

Choose from morning, afternoon, or evening rides, with one-hour ($50) or two-hour ($75) options available. Riders must be age 6 or older with a 250 lb. weight limit. Make it a full experience by renting our cozy cabin on-site. 

Call Marci at 308-641-3004 for more information or to book your ride!

train nebraska

Railfan Train Package

Nestled in the quiet beauty of Northwest Nebraska, Ponderosa Ranch offers a one-of-a-kind stay for train enthusiasts. Located near the legendary Crawford Hill (Breezy Point), our cabin provides an incredible vantage point to watch BNSF trains tackle Nebraska’s steepest rail grade, often with powerful helper engines pushing from behind. From the deck, guests can experience the rhythm of railroading set against the peaceful backdrop of the Pine Ridge.

Crawford Hill features a 1.55% grade and iconic twin horseshoe curves, making it a must-see destination for railfans. Heavy coal trains regularly require pusher locomotives to conquer the climb, creating an unforgettable railfanning experience that blends history, engineering, and natural beauty—all just steps from your cabin retreat.

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Two men riding horses through a grassy field on a sunny day with trees and hills in the background.

Guest Ranch Experience

We’re excited to now offer an authentic Guest Ranch Experience—a hands-on, unforgettable week on the ranch! 

Join us during our busiest and most exciting seasons: spring calving and branding, and in the fall as we prepare cattle for sale. Come Monday and stay through Friday in our cozy cabin accommodations (sleeps 4), with all meals included. 

Priced at $2,000 per person, this immersive experience starts with getting comfortable on horseback before diving into real ranch work—rounding up cattle, sorting, administering shots, branding, and more. Spring dates are set for anytime between March 23- April 11, 2026. Fall dates will be announced soon. Don’t just visit the ranch—live the ranch life..

Stay in our newly renovated 4 person Cabin

ponderosa ranch

Located just a few miles south of Crawford, Nebraska, you and your buddies have the option to stay in our newly renovated hunting cabin located on the ranch.  Four beds one bath.  Hunting packages pricing includes lodging.

If you have time to spare, visit the famous Ft. Robinson or Toadstool Park both a few miles from Crawford.  Or make the 30 min drive east to Chadron and explore Chadron State Park or catch a sporting event at Chadron State College. 

You're in luck if you're a train enthusiasts. Perched near the iconic Crawford Hill, also known as Breezy Point, this cozy retreat offers front-row seats to the captivating spectacle of trains chugging by.

Nearest airports are Chadron, NE and Alliance, NE or larger airports nearby are Rapid City, SD or Denver, CO.

  • "Best Merriam's Turkey hunting around! Awesome views, great hikes and accommodations are the best around! I cannot wait to come back."

    —Kevin L.

  • "I was fortunate enough to spend four days on this beautiful ranch. I wanted a true Merriam turkey hunt and boy I sure got one. Traci and Jamie are outstanding hosts. The country is beautiful. Just remember even if you’re going in late spring the weather in this part of the state can turn on a dime. I was there the third week of May I saw snow, rain, 27° one morning and 75° in the afternoons. I was lucky enough to fill my tag on the first day and had opportunities every day I was there to fill my second. This is tough country and you really need to be in shape. Just remember this is a working ranch and there’s no Internet out there so yes sometimes it can take a while for them to respond to you, that’s because they are busy people!"

    —Tim B.

  • “What an outstanding experience! The hosts were awesome in accommodating our needs to get to the tracks. I highly recommend staying at the Ponderosa for anyone that wishes to photograph and adventure on Crawford Hill.”

    —Railfan Guest Thomas Mueller

  • "If you are ever driving through Crawford Nebraska USA and want to go on a great afternoon expedition I highly recommend booking a trial ride at Ponderosa Ranch. They have horses for every level of Rider for those with no experience, to those who’ve ridden horses all their lives. If, when you get there and you don’t want to leave, you can book one of their cabins for the night and stay! I will post a video of our afternoon on those page and don’t forget, call them before you get beaten by another. You won’t forgive yourself for not doing it!!!!! Just book it!!!"

    -Jessie J.

  • "Ponderosa Ranch is everything a turkey hunter could ask for. Lots of turkeys, and lots of ground to work with. Not to mention Jayme and Marci treated me like family. You can defiantly tell they put a lot of effort into managing the ranch. 10/10 experience."

    -Max B.

Book your Ponderosa Ranch experience today.

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