GooseWing Ranch | A Happy Return To The American West Partner Website

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By Cassidy Mantor

“Goosewing Ranch operates at the crossroads of quiet luxury and the rugged authenticity of simpler times in the Gros Ventre River Valley. Now offered for sale, this turnkey guest ranch celebrates the iconic frontier spirit of the American West.”

In Wyoming’s Gros Ventre wilderness, snow falls on the prairie grasses well into May. Forty miles north of the town of Jackson, a herd of 65 horses graze against the backdrop of some of the most rugged and untouched land left in this country. 

The journey to Goosewing Ranch begins on Gros Ventre Road, a dirt road that winds through a landscape traversed by elk, deer, and bears. It’s a magical place that’s been called a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Upon arrival, guests receive a warm welcome and an invitation to partake in a lifestyle that is grounded, earthy, and rejuvenating.

In 1911, Milton Robinson filed for a 160-acre homestead on the Gros Ventre river that would become Goosewing Ranch. He joined forces with his brothers Ed and Butch – also ranchers in the Gros Ventre – and they became known for their hospitality. With its remote location, Goosewing became a known stop for many travelers who were always welcome.

Cell phones don’t easily work out here. You come here to reconnect with family, friends, and nature. It is a place to experience our country’s pioneer spirit.

Goosewing Ranch is a 45-acre luxury guest ranch nestled between the Gros Ventre River and national forest land, just over an hour from Jackson, Wyoming. The ranch blends a rare combination of frontier authenticity with modern luxury. It’s entirely off-grid, powered by modern generators and a private water treatment plant. And now this fully functioning retreat is being offered for sale. 

In 1911, Milton Robinson filed for a 160-acre homestead on the Gros Ventre River that would become Goosewing Ranch. He joined forces with his brothers Ed and Butch – also ranchers in the Gros Ventre – and they became known for their hospitality. With its remote location, Goosewing became a known stop for many travelers who were always welcome.

Before it was a dude ranch, Goosewing was a working ranch. In the 1950s, as more mountain men chose Jackson as their basecamp for outdoor pursuits, it was sold to Harold and Claudette Shervin, an adventurous couple who grew hay and oats that were sold to the Wyoming Department of Fish and Game. In 1972, the Shervins converted it to a hunting camp. They built the main lodge and eight guest cabins and also ran a snowmobiling business from it.

In the 1990s, Francois Corrand, a Frenchman interested in experiencing the life of French fur trappers in the Americas, bought the ranch and his wife and three children sold the snowmobiling business and invested in establishing Goosewing as a thriving guest ranch. They created a welcoming environment where family and staff recreated together. He hired ranch manager Amy Worster and they operated Goosewing as a warm, family-friendly guest ranch with deep respect for its roots and an appreciation for modern comfort. 

“We don’t have the luxury of using resources up because they are not readily available.”

–Amy Worster, Ranch Manager, Goosewing Ranch

Quiet luxury is woven into the experience at the ranch. “The ability to separate yourself from everyday life is luxurious, and the ranch is exclusive by virtue of the limited amount of guests who can stay here at any time,” says the ranch’s Chief Operating Officer, David Park. Depending on the season, the ranch accommodates between 20 and 35 guests.

While unplugging is a priority on the ranch, Goosewing recognizes modern needs. Starlink internet is available in key public areas like the lodge, gift shop, and office. Each cabin comes with access to a private side-by-side UTV that is a hit for all ages, from kids looking for thrills to older guests with mobility issues also seeking rugged adventure. The UTVs allow guests to explore nearby Forest Service roads, more hiking trails, and remote fishing spots without needing to drive their cars once they’ve arrived on the ranch.

As a member of the Dude Rancher’s Association, Goosewing offers horseback riding as a fundamental activity. They have a leased herd of around 65 horses, many of which return annually and have been trained over the years by ranch manager Amy Worsterand staff. Expert wranglers and diverse terrain mean guests of all skills can choose their own horseback adventure, from hourly and all-day trail rides to team penning and lessons in the ranch’s arena.

Fishing, guided hikes, archery, and shooting sports are some of the other on-site offerings, with the ranch’s concierge ready to facilitate other activities off-property. However, few guests want to leave for excursions. Once they’ve arrived, it seems that they want to stay.

A recent upgrade to the ranch’s wellness amenities are three hot tubs, each privately situated along a raised deck overlooking the Gros Ventre River Valley. Replacing an outdated children’s pool and sauna, these commercial spa-quality additions provide guests with a luxurious way to unwind after a day on the trail.

Goosewing’s clientele is a mix—some families rent the entire ranch for private events, but most bookings are a blend of couples and multi-generational families. This August, two full weeks are reserved by repeat guests who first met at the ranch as strangers and now return annually to vacation together as friends. The ranch doesn’t just create memories and nice photos, it strengthens families and builds community.

Located within a wildlife corridor with additional permitted access to 100,000+ acres of Forest Service land, Goosewing Ranch operates sustainably with a clear commitment to conservation. As a fully off-grid operation, all utilities are privately managed by the ranch. Water conservation and resources use are paramount to operations. “We don’t have the luxury of using resources up because they’re not readily available,” Worster notes.

The ranch has purposefully resisted being reimagined in a traditional luxury aesthetic–there are no cowhide accents or faux fur and the result is like stepping back in time (but without having to pump your own water). The wood is wood, the exposed beams are there for structural support, and the Pendleton blankets provide warmth when the wind picks up and the nights get chilly.

Guests are given reusable water bottles and reusable lunch sacks to eliminate single-use plastics, spent motor oil is repurposed for heating systems, and housekeeping prioritizes water conservation while maintaining a pristine environment. The ranch also collaborates with Teton County’s recycling program and sources materials with minimal packaging to reduce overall waste.

The ranch operates with a sense of respect as stewards of the land and with a sense of responsibility for providing an experiential education to guests about the lifestyle needed to sustain the American West. Guests are organically introduced to the concepts of land use ethics – such as staying on the trails to prevent erosion or giving wildlife a safe berth instead of trying to approach – and those principles are ingrained in the daily experience of ranch life. 

That balance of recreation and responsibility lends itself to a deeper understanding of the place. A memory created while on horseback that is centered around avoiding sage grouse habitats during nesting season or giving elk and pronghorn space during calving will leave a lasting impact. Worster shares, “This is how we sustain our environment.”

The lessons in conservation are adjusted to fit the group so all ages develop a greater understanding of how to be good citizens on the land. From examining wildlife scat to learning how to build campfires and fire ecology, the staff shares knowledge that has been passed down for generations and that is inherent in the survival of the land and the ecosystem.

Operationally, the ranch has its own generators and water treatment facility. From a visual standpoint, being off-grid means more than being self-sufficient. It is indicative of the holistic immersion in the place. Power lines don’t need to be Photoshopped out of family pictures, and the absence of concrete and steel buildings contributes to a liberating feeling that one is in the real American West.

Spending time at Goosewing is transformative. Arrival marks not just a physical destination, but a mental shift. The pace slows. Priorities realign. It is a chance to decompress from the strictures of everyday life and reconnect with rhythms of a greater purpose.

Eleven rustic log cabins line the riverbank and offer sublime views of the valley. Accommodations are designed for restoration, with high thread count linens, organic bath products, and an intentional absence of in-cabin WIFI. The cabins are comfortably furnished but encourage venturing out in the common areas to interact with the greater ranch family. Goosewing Ranch fosters a culture that values being together, being with family and friends, and sharing stories of the day. Connection and more amenities are found while gathering in the main lodge, around the campfire, or on the trail.

The architecture is driven by utility and the living history of the place. With vaulted ceilings, a massive river-stone fireplace and chimney, handcrafted woodwork, and comfortable porches with panoramic views, the main lodge is the social hub of the ranch. Its commercial kitchen and dining area are designed to accommodate both intimate dinners and large-scale entertaining, ideal for family reunions, corporate retreats, and guest stays. 

Instead of imposing a rugged-yet-refined aesthetic often imagined as the archetypical Ralph Lauren home, design updates to Goosewing have been made organically as needed. The ranch has purposefully resisted being reimagined in a traditional luxury aesthetic – there are no cowhide accents or faux fur – and the result is like stepping back in time (but without having to pump your own water). The wood is wood, the exposed beams are there for structural support, and the Pendleton blankets provide warmth when the wind picks up and the nights get chilly.

Having said that, various updates to amenities and operations have been made. On the guest side, new bedding includes new headboards, mattresses, box springs, linens, and new robes, new saddles and tack, rifles, shotguns, fishing rods, and paddleboards, and a new fleet of UTVs have been introduced. Flatware and outdoor furniture have also been updated.

After dinner, campfire stories, line dancing, and branding (of souvenirs, not cattle) help transition from the action part of the day to a more reflective state. The remote location of the ranch means there is little light pollution, making for excellent stargazing once the sun goes down.

This intentional approach to preserving the heritage design and architecture contributes to feelings of authenticity in the cabins and on the property. While some roads are paved to improve behind-the-scenes deliveries and maintenance, gravel crunches as guests walk to meet family at the lodge. There is an honesty when a wood porch creaks under boots or with the smell of wood burning in a fireplace that cannot be replicated with composites or other modern “upgrades.” The spaces are warm and uncomplicated, and luxury is found in that restraint.

Every evening prior to dinner around appetizer and cocktail hour, guests meet 1:1 with staff to plan their customized activities for the following day. Staff make recommendations and provide guidance, whether a family wants to experience all the activities including skeet, target shooting, fly fishing, and hiking, or if an individual wants to spend her days horseback riding. A bespoke experience is crafted for everyone.

Mornings begin with a made-to-order breakfast in the lodge. Fresh pastries and fruit accompanied by strong coffee get everyone fueled up. Then, the pace shifts and the lodge gets very busy as everyone splits off to meet their wranglers and guides for horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking via UTV access, archery, and skeet shooting.

For some, the activities cultivate a sense of nostalgia. Life may have taken them to cities for school and work, and their grandchildren have never experienced the things they remember from their youth. The ranch helps them share that part of themself with their families. Others come from overseas to experience first-hand the iconic American West with cowboys working on a majestic landscape. Some have never held a gun before, and the ranch exposes them to gun safety and sport.

More activities are offered in the afternoons. Team penning, cattle work, and riding lessons in the arena as well as archery and skeet shooting competitions are popular on-site options. So is a big kickball game or reading a book on the private patio back at the cabin. Dinners offer elevated twists on locally sourced ingredients. Chefs shop at the farmers market and source beef and fish from local providers.

After dinner, campfire stories, line dancing, and branding (of souvenirs, not cattle) help transition from the action part of the day to a more reflective state. The remote location of the ranch means there is little light pollution, making for excellent stargazing once the sun goes down. With the sound of the Gros Ventre River nearby and a magnificent sky above, days and nights at the ranch are filled with wonder and gratitude.

The ranch thrives in the summer season. In the spring, horses return, staff is trained, and guests arrive. It’s a time of anticipation and excitement for the new season. Many of the 30 staff members have already “drunk the Kool-Aid” and are eager to share their enthusiasm for this sustainable, western lifestyle with their ranch family.

Currently, the ranch closes during the winter, but the property has potential for year-round operation. Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and fireside whiskey tastings are complementary winter activities.

“Goosewing Ranch is turnkey,” says the property’s listing agent, Jeff Ward, of Keller Williams Jackson Hole. “The property has a well-maintained infrastructure and a loyal base of returning guests.” The turnkey status is underscored by numerous improvements that have been made by the current owner that optimize the business.

“Goosewing Ranch Is turnkey. The Property Has A Well-maintained Infrastructure And A Loyal Base Of Returning Guests.”

–Jeff Ward, Listing Agent, Keller Williams, Jackson Hole.

The shooting range has been updated, the riverbank has been stabilized, and the main lodge has received a new roof. Housekeeping has new washer/dryers, the culinary team has a new walk-in freezer, and ranch equipment has been updated including a new work truck, a new guest services SUV, and a new flatbed trailer. There’s a new canvas teepee and the website and social media have also been updated.

Ward notes that an opportunity to formally adjoin the adjacent 110-acre Gunsight Ranch would provide increased guest capacity to the county maximum of 75 per day for the 155-acre total offering, with permits and additional development potential by right. Jeff invites interested buyers to email him at [email protected] or call him at 307.690.0873 for more information.

Worster has spent two decades managing Goosewing and sums up the magic of the ranch best: “Goosewing has my heart. Society needs this type of experience. We are here to make memories for our guests and also for ourselves, and everything else falls in line with that.”

Goosewing Ranch is a place that delivers a genuine experience. It offers the opportunity to forge new friendships and strengthen relationships between people, the land, and the self. It is a happy return to the purpose-driven lifestyle that defined the American West and the intrepid spirit of adventure and prosperity.

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