COLORADORANCH

Horses are essential to any western vacation

They’re like four-legged mountain ambassadors. Each has a distinct personality and you just might make a new friend while you’re visiting. And a ranch is the best place to improve your skills or ride for the first time. Every ranch has different terrain and offer different rides.

The horses are chosen for their temperament and experience, just like our wranglers. In fact, you can count on riding a horse that is specifically matched to your ability and the type of riding you’ll do. Expert instruction and seasoned guides are available to make sure you get exactly the ride you want. Short, all-day, over-night, fast, slow… just about every type of ride is available depending on what you feel like doing.

There are rides just for kids, for parents and for the whole family. Although it’s recommended kids be at least six years old to ride their own horse, there are lots of ways the smallest of the group can enjoy themselves around the barn, with pony carts or with a horse on a lead.)

These are the most authentic ranch experiences you can have.

And you can choose to be as involved with the livestock as you want to be or just watch from a distance. Of course, some of our ranches have no cattle… some have large herds. Feel free to call any of our ranches to get more details. Meanwhile, here are some of the experiences you can have with cattle.

Cattle Gathering – Ride out to a pasture in the morning or afternoon to round up the cattle and bring them back to a corral. Possibly for team penning later.

Team Penning – You and your team select one or more animals to separate from a larger herd, then drive them across the arena, into a three-sided pen. Getting the bovines to do what you want can be both challenging and hilarious.

Cattle Drives – Gather and herd cattle from one pasture to another to prevent over-grazing and preserve the land. Cattle drives are seasonal and can involve pushing livestock up into federally-leased land in the Colorado’s High Country or, in the fall, bringing them back to deeded ranch land. Check with individual ranches for details.

Cattle Work – Help doctor sick animals, brand calves, check salt, water and fences. And do the things make a working ranch work.

Other Activities

Hiking
There are many ways to explore the wilderness and hiking happens to be one of Colorado’s most popular pastimes. Hit the trails sans horse for some hiking. In fact, there are some places you can go with a good pair of hiking boots. Many ranches offer guided historic tours, nature walks and hikes to summit some of the Colorado’s tallest peaks.

Fishing / Fly Fishing
Some guests come just for the fishing. A chance to wet a line along stretches of private or leased Gold Medal rivers and explore secluded ponds with their family. Many of our ranches can outfit you with the latest gear or put you in touch with a seasoned outfitter for instruction and guided trips. Check the list of ranches to find out what packages are available and which ones specialize in fly fishing.

Swimming
The Rocky Mountains cast long shadows in the late-afternoon while rain showers often move in to cool things off. If that doesn’t work there’s always the heated pool. Looking up at the summer sky while floating in cool water or lounging poolside is a great way to relax after a long ride or hike. Some ranches offer ponds and streams with swimming beaches and decks. Of course, if you just want to dunk your head in the horse trough that’s okay, too.

Campfires and Cookouts
Campfires aren’t just for warmth. They bring people together for conversation, stories, songs and the occasional marshmallow. Even the ambiance of a fire crackling away in the lodge can put a sparkle in your eye. In the high country, campfires are a way of life. Camp cooks love to create over an open flame. The meals are usually more elaborate than you’d think. From Dutch oven soufflés and cakes to stews and steaks. Campfire cooking is mighty tasty.

Hayrides and Horseshoes
Hayrides are great for kids or bring your significant other and a blanket and you’ve got a date. And horseshoes, a leisure-time activity that can get surprisingly competitive, is fun at any skill level.

Overnight Pack Trips
Get away from your getaway with an overnight pack trip to a remote place in the timbers high on an alpine meadow. It’s still not exactly roughing it since the meals are hot, the bedding soft and the tents dry. Most ranches have their own recipe for what awaits at the end of the trail. Some offer half-night trips for kids who just want a taste of camping. There’ll likely be singing, ghost stories and campfire treats where the stars are bright and coyotes serenade you to sleep.

Evening Entertainment
There’s a creative side to every mountain. Live music, cowboy poets, weekly barn dances and even rich stage performances are part of the package at many of our ranches. TV doesn’t even come close.

Educational Opportunities
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain scenery is more beautiful when you know what you’re looking at. Many ranches have naturalists on hand or bring in experts on geology, archeology, wildlife and ecosystems for tours and lectures. Most staffers know the local history. So if you ever have a question, just ask. Curiosity is always welcome.

River Rafting
Float a class-one river with a fly rod or paddle through class-five whitewater. Most ranches offer a time in the week for rafting. Our ranches contract with the best, most reputable outfitters around and an excursion is sometimes covered in your ranch rates or discounted so don’t forget to ask.

Kayaking
Not offered as part of a standard package but this sport is growing in popularity. If you’re interested in Kayaking, ask before you book to see if it’s an activity that can be arranged.

Four-Wheel Drive Trips
There’s another way to see the sights and sometimes you need a day out of the saddle. 4x4s can take you to some pretty scenic places high in the Rockies, through old ghost towns, abandoned gold mines and into deep woods. Getting there is more than half the fun.

Side Trips
Every great vacation needs a little side trip. Then again, wanderlust is what brings people to the West in the first place. Trips to historic monuments, quaint mountain towns, resort villages, gold and silver mines, narrow-gauge railways to local attractions and for shopping can be arranged.

Mountain Biking
The sport of Mountain Biking grew up in Colorado. If you’re a mountain biker bring your gear. If you’ve never tried, you’ll be surprised what these low-geared, rugged bikes can do. Many ranches have loaner bikes or can arrange a rental with a local bike shop. Not only is it great exercise, it’s another great way to see wildlife and spectacular Rocky Mountain scenery.

Tennis
Only a few ranches have tennis courts. However, arrangements can be made to go into a nearby town for those who can’t call it a vacation without a match or two.

Golf
The Colorado Rockies are home to some incredibly scenic, world-class golf courses. Many are not far from our ranches. Check with each ranch to find out more about the links and if they suit your style of play.

Rock Climbing and Hot Air Ballooning
So you’re not afraid of heights? These are activities that are not typically offered at our ranches but arrangements can be made, depending on the location of the ranch. Again, call ahead.

Shooting Sports
Here’s another way the West still lives. Many ranches offer target shooting and sporting clays like trap shooting and skeet courses. All practiced with the utmost in responsible gun handling and safety. Some ranches have vintage western firearms for you to try or for shooting demonstrations. Check with individual ranches for available shooting sports and age restrictions.

Saunas, Hot Tubs and Spas
After all that adventure, you have to get yourself ready to get up and do it all again the next day. All our ranches offer a place to soak. Some have a camp hot tub and, at some ranches, each cabin has its own private hot tub. Several have saunas, spa services such as massages and one even has its own hot springs.