What ages does Elk Creek Ranch accept?

Elk Creek Ranch is open to children ages 9–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

How much does Elk Creek Ranch cost?

Elk Creek Ranch publishes $1,925/week for the standard session. $7,700 for a four-week session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Elk Creek Ranch's hours?

Elk Creek Ranch runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Is Elk Creek Ranch accredited?

Yes — Elk Creek Ranch is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 60 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.

Who runs Elk Creek Ranch?

Elk Creek Ranch is operated by a private business, with 60 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Elk Creek Ranch provide lunch?

Yes — Elk Creek Ranch includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

▌ Outdoors/Nature · Ages 9–17

Elk Creek Ranch

Elk Creek Ranch · $1,925/week

A traditional summer camp offering horseback riding, fly fishing, and outdoor adventures in Wyoming.

▌ Editor's read Elk Creek Ranch's website loads successfully, presenting a comprehensive overview of its programs. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with its accreditation valid through 2025, confirming its commitment to industry standards. The website mentions that staff undergo background checks, prioritizing camper safety. The camp, founded by the Hobbs and Mary Ann family, has been operating for over 60 years, offering a traditional overnight summer camp experience with a focus on horsemanship and outdoor activities. They maintain a favorable staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4, as stated on their 'About Us' page. Google reviews show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 32 reviews, with parents frequently praising the transformative experiences and dedicated staff. Social media presence includes an Instagram handle @elkcreekranch and a Facebook page @ElkCreekRanch.

★

ACA-accredited~300 standards audited

⌬

Since 196660+ years operating

Who thrives here Ages 9–17

Elk Creek Ranch is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. outdoors/nature programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Yes
Established: 1966 (60 years)
Operator: Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio: Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Outdoors/Nature
Ages: 9–17
Hours: 24-hour residential
Address: 100 Elk Creek Ranch Rd, Cody, WY 82414, USA
Phone: 307-587-3000
Email: [email protected]
Cost notes: $7,700 for a four-week session.

Runs 24-hour residential, 2 sessions (0 one-week, 2 multi-week blocks), from Jun 16 to Aug 9.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

Session 1 Jun 16 – Jul 12, 2026 · 4 weeks
Session 2 Jul 14 – Aug 9, 2026 · 4 weeks

↗ What parents like

Real ranch experience
Horseback riding
Backpacking trips

↘ Watch for

No cell service
Physically demanding

Logistics

Lunch provided: Yes
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Elk Creek Ranch

What ages does Elk Creek Ranch accept?: Elk Creek Ranch is open to children ages 9–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Elk Creek Ranch cost?: Elk Creek Ranch publishes $1,925/week for the standard session. $7,700 for a four-week session. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Elk Creek Ranch's hours?: Elk Creek Ranch runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is Elk Creek Ranch accredited?: Yes — Elk Creek Ranch is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 60 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Elk Creek Ranch?: Elk Creek Ranch is operated by a private business, with 60 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Elk Creek Ranch provide lunch?: Yes — Elk Creek Ranch includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Elk Creek Ranch with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.