Dickinson Cattle Company Serves as a Leading Tourist Attraction in Belmont County
The Dickinson Cattle Company is opening its ranch gates to visitors this summer with its annual Longhorn Head to Tail Tours, offering guests an up-close look at Texas Longhorn cattle, southeastern Ohio history and a diversified ranch operation north of Barnesville.
A herd of cattle walk together at Dickinson Cattle Company ranch. Photo Provided by owner Darol Dickinson.
Owner/ manager Darol Dickinson moved to the Barnesville area from Colorado after discovering property in 1993 after learning about reclaimed mine land available in large tracts. The family closed on its first piece of land in May 1994.
Dickinson said the ranch began offering tours after noticing there was a strong interest from visitors. According to Linda Dickinson, who visited the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting in March, the ranch is one of the largest Longhorn producers in the country and number one tourist attraction in Belmont County.
“We’ve plugged in a lot of history, and there’s an amazing amount of history in this area,” Darol said.
According to Darol, historical figures connected to the property include Mexican general Santa Anna, who crossed the land in 1836, and Judge Isaac Parker, known as the “Hanging Judge,” who was born on the property.
The Longhorn Head to Tail Tours officially opened May 1 and will continue through October. The tours are located one mile south and 1.2 miles west of Interstate 70 at Exit 202 south of Hendrysburg and about four miles north of Barnesville.
The 75-minute interpretive tours feature close-up views of BueLingo and Texas Longhorn herds. Guests, who ride rugged ranch buses through Appalachian foothill pastures, may purchase “cow candy” to hand-feed the animals.
A herd of cattle surround a Dickinson Cattle Company tour bus. Photo Provided by owner Darol Dickinson.
Tours are available by appointment for groups of 10 or more by calling 740-758-5050. Smaller groups may join already scheduled tours if seats are available.
Tour prices vary by group size. Groups of 10 pay $16 per person. For groups of 11 to 19, admission is $16 for ages 13 and older and $7 for children ages 4 to 12. Groups of 20 to 39 pay $14 for adults and $6 for children, while groups of 40 or more pay $12 for adults and $5 for children. Children under 4 are admitted free.
Catered meals featuring Longhorn beef products, including burgers, brisket, prime rib and beef ribs, are also available with advance notice.
Yvonne Baker, a longtime Texas Longhorn enthusiast, and staff member along with Ashley Braden and Linda Dickinson, narrate tours.
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Over the years, the ranch has expanded into several areas of business. Darol said the company’s success comes from diversification, with operations including registered cattle sales, beef production, ranch tours, a retail store, registered cattle breeding, skull sales and private secluded lots with security gates.
The ranch has sold frozen semen, live cattle and embryos to customers in 33 countries. Darol said the products help ranchers improve the quality of their own herds.
“If you wanted to make your herd better and raise it better, you could come to us and buy a really good bull,” Darol said. “Then your calves’ value might improve by 20% to 30% next year.”
The company also developed specialized cattle-handling equipment, including a squeeze chute designed for treating and caring for cattle.
Dickinson said Texas Longhorn cattle provide opportunities beyond beef production.
“I have a lot of confidence in the merits of Longhorn cattle,” Darol said. “They’ll eat brush and briars and weeds that other cattle won’t eat.”
He added Longhorn cattle can live and reproduce longer than many traditional beef breeds.
The ranch bred 643 cows in 2025 and continues expanding its operation.
Hundreds of Longhorn cattle live on Dickinson Cattle Company’s ranch. Photo Provided by owner Darol Dickinson.
The Longhorn Head to Tail Store sells Longhorn beef products, jerky, beef sticks, steaks, ground beef and smoked snacks. Beef halves are available through immediate pick up.
Darol said the company’s products are grown or made at the ranch by Ohio workers.
The ranch retail store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Additional information is available on the company’s website.
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