River Ranch is a rural, unincorporated community in far eastern Polk County, Florida, located on the west bank of the Kissimmee River just south of State Road 60. It sits in the open ranch and wetland country that characterizes the headwaters of the Kissimmee chain of lakes, roughly an hour south of Orlando and a short distance from Lake Wales. The community is sparsely settled and closely tied to its signature institution, the Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo, a cowboy-themed resort described as the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi River. The name River Ranch also refers to River Ranch Acres, an original platted subdivision of individually owned lots that predates and is separate from the commercial resort property. An ownership RV park sits adjacent to the resort, giving the area a mix of seasonal visitors, recreational property owners, and a small number of full-time residents. The Kissimmee River, which the community fronts, is central to the local landscape and to the fishing, airboating, and wildlife-watching that draw people to this part of Florida, and the surrounding conservation lands and ranch country define the region's open, undeveloped character. River Ranch is best suited to those seeking a remote, outdoors-oriented setting rather than a conventional residential suburb. Daily services are limited, so residents and property owners rely on Lake Wales and the larger Lakeland-Winter Haven area for shopping, schools, and medical care. In exchange, the community offers wide-open ranchland, riverfront access, and a distinctive western-Florida lifestyle centered on horseback riding, rodeo, and the outdoors.