What Does It Mean to Be a True Steward of the Land?

For now, perhaps we should focus on the first part of that question.

For David and Debbie MacKenzie, being true stewards of the land meant dreaming, purchasing, renovating, improving, sharing, and finally handing down Red Rock Ranch, a quintessential Wyoming Dude Ranch experience.

Imagine taking an unforgettable vacation with your family of four young children to the mountains of western Wyoming. You ride horses, fish pristine trout streams, witness wildlife in its natural habitat, and take in all the beauty that a Wyoming Guest Ranch has to offer—all while surrounded by your loved ones.

Who wouldn’t want to own a piece of that for the rest of their lives?

David and Debbie were practical in more ways than one, always striving for what was best for their family, their partnership, and the land they chose to call home. When the opportunity arose to purchase The Red Rock in 1974, David surely reflected on his adventures as a young man—traversing the country in a Studebaker to fish the Gros Ventre in the early 1950s. With the same pioneering spirit that defines the American West, and some help from local ranchers, David and Debbie embraced the challenge of owning and operating a Wyoming Guest Ranch in Teton County.

One thing you’ll notice at Red Rock Ranch is the abundance of wildlife, from small critters to larger creatures like elk and bears. While fences mark boundary lines, they don’t impede the animals’ movement. The wildlife, a defining feature of life on a Wyoming Dude Ranch, roams freely, much to the delight of guests and family alike.

A good steward understands that their time on this earth is limited, even if that time spans over four decades. David and Debbie never wasted energy on short-term projects. Each year, after a summer of creating unforgettable memories at their Wyoming Guest Ranch, they would return to the Midwest and plan improvements that would ensure the longevity of Red Rock Ranch. They invested in what truly mattered—for their family, their guests, the community, and the thriving ecosystem around them.

Two individuals, realizing the fleeting nature of time, dreamed of owning, improving, and preserving this treasured piece of Wyoming. They worked to ensure that Red Rock Ranch, their legacy as a cherished Wyoming Dude Ranch, would be passed down for generations to enjoy.

That is how one earns the title of Steward of the Land.

If you can dream it, you can build it.

Experience it for yourself.

Russell Stimmel
Third-Generation Red Rock Rancher