Before British Columbia was settled and long before the gold rush, Flying U Ranch was already laying the foundations for what would become the timeless traditions of cowboy life. These simple, enduring principles struck a chord with generations to come, and the iconic cowboy became a symbol of the best of Canada—courage, optimism, and hard work.
Cowboys were heroic not just for their dangerous jobs, but for embodying values that still resonate today: respect for the land and the animals, living each day with commitment and courage, and always finishing what they started. Though life has changed over the last 150 years, the cowboy code remains unchanged: three square meals, a bottomless coffee pot, and the quiet strength of living by your word.
Flying U Ranch, located in the heart of the Cariboo region, has stayed true to these values since it was established in 1849 through a Crown grant. For 172 years, the ranch has remained in operation, making it one of Canada’s oldest continually running ranches. Originally a stopover for trappers and fur traders traveling along the Alaska Trail, the ranch’s legacy stretches back to the days of the Cariboo Fur Brigade.
By the late 1800s, the ranch had grown into a full-fledged cattle operation, with log buildings used as roadhouses and a Hudson’s Bay trading post standing on the site of today’s lodge. It wasn’t until 1922, however, that a legendary figure, Jack Boyd, took the reins and transformed the ranch. A larger-than-life character and champion rodeo cowboy, Boyd, with the help of his friend Tom Mix, the Hollywood cowboy star, founded the Flying U Guest Ranch—the first of its kind in Canada.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the guest ranch grew, attracting visitors from all over the world who came to experience ranch life in the wild Cariboo. Some came to learn the ways of the rancher, while others sought the chance to meet Boyd and his colorful companions, who were living embodiments of the Wild West.
Today, Flying U Ranch continues to honor its rich history. Guests sleep in the same century-old cabins, answer the same meal bell, and ride the same trails. To learn more about the ranch and what it offers to guests today, visit their website.
If you enjoyed learning about the Flying U Ranch, check out our other blog posts, where we feature other historical ranches in BC, similar to this one.