Located on 30,000 acres of secluded Wyoming ranchland, visitors to the majestic and picturesque Brush Creek Ranch (Saratoga, WY) arrive ready for adventure, relaxation, and awe-inspiring wonder served up in an all-inclusive luxurious setting. From hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and mountain biking to archery, fly fishing, and all of the traditional winter activities, including skiing and snowboarding on Brush Creek Ranch’s private 600-acre Green Mountain, the resort offers something for everyone. For those looking for a pampering retreat in the great indoors, Trailhead Spa provides its guests with a perfect rustic respite for relaxing and recovering from a day spent outside. “People come to the ranch to do all of our great activities and everyone is so excited that they sometimes don’t know how to relax by the time they get to the spa,” says Eric Staples, spa director at Trailhead Spa at Brush Creek Ranch. “We have a relaxation area with privacy curtains that offers a great tea program and snacks. We also provide warm neck pillows to our guests while they are relaxing so they are ready for their treatment.”
Trailhead Spa was recently expanded and renovated, with the addition of four new treatment rooms, new steam showers, and a sauna. According to Carrie Tolman, associate principal at the Chicago-based interior design firm KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, the expansion was inspired by the study of smoke as it’s used in both modern and ancient cleansing rituals. “The long history of connection to aromatherapy and that calming the mind would bring long-lasting benefits both physically and mentally were in the forefront as we designed the space,” she says. “Textured slate floors, warm knotty alder wood, shades of warm grey, and clean lines create a backdrop meant to calm and provide a space for wellness. A bespoke wallcovering of wispy creams over grey behind the new treatment vanities subtly acknowledge our inspiration of smoke and act as the main art moment in the spaces. Expanded steam showers and a sauna in warm grey, slate, and unique geometric patterning provides the backdrop for a more-focused wellness experience within the spa.”
In addition to the spa’s upgrade and renovation, the fitness center also was relocated and expanded, doubling in size. In the fitness center, guests can find a new yoga and stretching studio, as well as new cardio and strength equipment, including Pelotons. What’s more, wraparound wellness offerings have been expanded to include goat yoga, sound bathing, tea ceremonies, and fresh-pressed juices sourced on property.
The development of the spa guest experience and the spa’s menu was inspired by the adventurous spirit of the American West and the natural beauty found in Wyoming. Moreover, Native American-inspired healing treatments can be found throughout the spa offerings. Several of the spa services on the menu are inspired by the spa’s location, including the Medicine Bow Facial ($300, 90 minutes), an anti-aging treatment; the Wyoming River Stone Massage ($200, 60 minutes; $295, 90 minutes), which uses stones from the Wyoming River to help melt away tension; and the Jade Gemstone Hand Ritual ($65, 60 minutes) and Foot Ritual ($75, 60 minutes), which are nail services that utilize Wyoming Jade, the state gemstone, to help de-stress the mind and strengthen the soul. Among the most-popular services is the Moon and Sun Duo ($550, 60 minutes; $710, 90 minutes), which takes place in the Unity Suite and includes a 30-minute private healing ceremony and a customized massage for two. The Goddess of the Sun Ritual ($300, 90 minutes) is also popular. It includes a shea butter sugar scrub followed by an age-defying probiotic wrap, and finishes with a warming neck, back, and shoulder massage.
The spa’s location, renovation, and its menu of services are all intended to enhance each guest’s experience at Brush Creek Ranch. According to Sabrina Antoine, director of spa operations for White Lodging, owners of Brush Creek Ranch, the spa journey begins as guests walk toward the spa’s entrance and experience the different views of the surrounding landscape, including plains, tranquil running water, sunsets, and the grand Green Mountain. “We wanted the guest to have a spa experience that personally catered to them, to fulfill their purpose of visiting Brush Creek Ranch, and to reflect the grandeur of the property,” says Antoine. “At the end of their spa visit, guests can take a visual journal with them, which includes a personalized note from the technician on product recommendations, at-home stretching techniques, a visual animal card, and inspirational quotes.”
Owner: Bruce White (White Lodging)
Spa Director: Eric Staples
Opened: February 2011
Renovation: June 2022
Client Base: 70% female30% male
Space: 6 treatment rooms
Product Lines & Equipment: De La Terre Skincare, Zents
Interior Designer: KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group (Chicago)
Spa Consultant: Sabrina Antoine (White Lodging)
Spa Talk With Eric Staples
Meet Eric Staples, spa director at Trailhead Spa at Brush Creek Ranch.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Being able to work at such a beautiful place and be part of the team here is a great accomplishment for me.
How do you like to spend your time away from work?
I spend my time outside of work doing Wyoming adventures. I love going on hikes and camping with my family and trying to find as many hot springs to soak in as we can.
What are your three greatest priorities in life?
God, family, and treating people with respect.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
A wise woman told me to be good at my job and make yourself worth keeping because there are things in this world we can’t control and when things get bad they won’t want to lose you and your work ethic.