Colorado Dude Ranch Association

You undoubtedly looked us up because
you are interested in a vacation with a flavor of the Old West...

Learn About Ranches
Activities
Horses
Cattle
Children
Accommodations
Food
Typical Week
Other Seasons

Click here to view a video of some of the activities available at Colorado Ranches.

Horseback Riding
There is nothing more relaxing and fun than letting a well-trained horse take you into the Colorado high country. But trail riding is just one way to enjoy horses at our ranches. Additional horseback activities are offered at many of our ranches including cattle roundups, team penning, horseback gymkhanas, overnight pack trips, and family rodeos. For more on horseback riding, click here.

Activities with Cattle
Ranching and cattle go hand in hand. Many of today's dude ranches evolved from cattle operations years back. Others were conceived and built as destinations in their own right but include activities with cattle in their programs. Click here to learn about the many variations on the cattle theme that are available at Colorado's dude ranches.

Children's Programs
A dude ranch is a perfect place for a family vacation. You'll find a wide variety of programs for everyone in your family - from babysitting and kids' programs for children who are not old enough to ride right through programs for your oldest "kids." Click here to learn more about the options so you'll know what to ask as you interview ranches.

Hiking
OK, we won’t tell the horses if you bring your hiking boots because sometimes even a horse’s relaxing pace may seem a bit hurried (after all – this is a vacation). At our ranches there are dozens of trails to explore on foot as well as on horseback. Take peaceful walks with your spouse and children. Discover that special meadow of wildflowers or climb to overlooks where you can see forever. In addition, most of our ranches offer guided hikes or nature walks with guides knowledgeable about local history and the ranch’s plants, birds, and wildlife. Some ranches even offer alpine treks up nearby peaks (you can climb most of Colorado’s highest mountains without technical climbing gear). So bring your hiking gear, just don’t take it down to the barn.

Fishing
If there is one activity more relaxing and fun than horseback riding, it might be fishing. Almost everyone can fish, regardless of age or experience, and our ranches offer fishing for all abilities. In fact fly fishing is becoming a specialty along with horseback riding at some of our ranches.

Although some folks really like to fish, most would just like to wet a line with their kids, or fish for a spell before the day begins or after a day of riding. Most of our ranches stock their own ponds or are near local streams and lakes where the ranch staff can advise you on the hotspots where you are most likely to find fish. Some ranches ask that you bring your own gear, but most can rustle up enough poles for everyone. It’s up to you to decide how seriously you want to take this fishing business.

The old-timers claim any time spent fishing is not counted against your allotted time here on earth, so maybe a little fishing is just what you need.

Fly Fishing
There is fishing and then there is fly fishing. And several of our member dude and guest ranches have become expert at offering you the latter. Check the list of our ranches here that offer professionally guided fly fishing, fly-tying facilities, furnish or rent state-of-the-art fishing gear, and have access or leases on Colorado Gold Medal waters.

Many of our ranches can arrange guided fishing or instruction with a local fishing expert. Other ranches bring in an instructor one day during the week and others offer complete, on-the-ranch guides, equipment, and instruction. If fly fishing is your passion, several of our ranches will meet your fly fishing needs and provide other members of your family (and yourself) plenty to do when the fish aren’t biting.

Swimming
If you live where the summer heat index climbs above 100, nothing sounds better than escaping the to the high, cool of Colorado. Our dude ranchers understand this and most have heated swimming pools. Others offer heat relief via natural ponds, streams, water decks, and, of course, there is always the horse tank down at the corral (why do you think our wranglers smell so good each morning?)

Here’s a local secret – at our ranches it just doesn’t get that hot, even in August. We are surrounded by high peaks, so the long mountain shadows cool us each afternoon. Occasional mountain rain showers keep you and your horse refreshed at temperatures that are just right for all-day fun. So you may not even use the pool.

Campfires, Hay Rides, Cookouts & Horseshoes
Where else can you go these days and have your very own campfire? It’s getting darn difficult – except at our dude and guest ranches. You have selected a ranch vacation to enjoy the spectacular Colorado outdoors and we will not disappoint.

At our ranches we like to have a campfire (or a cozy blaze going in the lodge fireplace on those rare rainy days) for your family to gather round and listen as the wood sap snaps and crackles. We cook over an open fire whenever we can at the ranch as well as take you up into the mountains for campfire breakfasts, brunches, and evening fireside singing and snacking.

Our ranch cooks are specialists in campfire cuisine and we don’t mean just hot dogs and s’mores. Dutch oven soufflés, cakes, and, of course, main dish stews and such are just a few delicious offerings off our fires.

Hay rides are another special part of your ranch stay. And with all these horses around, we love horseshoe pitching and other easy-going family games. Just remember to have the shoes back on the horses in time for the next day’s ride.

Overnight Pack Trips
If you or your kids are hankering for a bit more daring accommodations than our comfortable cabins and lodges, then maybe a night out in the tall timber is what you need. Most of our ranches offer an optional overnight pack trip during your stay. And many offer special half-night campouts for younger adventurers who may want just a taste of camping.

A dude ranch pack trip doesn’t necessarily mean roughing it. We take along and serve you plenty of delicious hot food and make sure you stay dry and comfy in tents with warm bedding. Overnight trips mean campfire singing, ghost stories, hot chocolate and original campfire treats. Each ranch has their own special recipe for overnight fun out where the stars are bright and coyotes serenade you to sleep.

Evening Entertainment and Educational Opportunities
Colorado’s western heritage is comprised of more than horses and outdoor adventure. Our history is also rich in poetry, music, country dancing, and colorful stage performances. At many ranches cowboy poets and musicians will visit during your stay. Some ranches offer rollicking good fun at a staff show or melodrama (we hire talented as well as good-looking staffers) and at others a weekly barn dance will get your boots a scootin’ as you swing your partner under the stars.

Several of our ranches have naturalists on staff. Others bring in authorities on our ecosystems, geology, archeology, wildlife, birds, photography, and other subjects for lectures, field trips, or workshops. Check with your ranch for their special offerings.

River Rafting
Most Colorado dude ranches offer a time during the week for river rafting. Some even include the cost of rafting in their ranch rates, so be sure to ask. Our ranches contract with proven, reliable rafting outfitters that know the local rivers and see to your safety as they provide as much fun on Colorado’s rivers as we do on our horses.

Four-wheel Drive Trips
There is so much to see at and around our ranches that sometimes a horse is just too slow or maybe you would just like a day out of the saddle. That’s where 4-wheel drive vehicles come in handy. Our ranches can take you on scenic drives to old ghost towns and abandoned gold mines high in the Rockies. Ranches have all kinds of transportation available from classic Jeeps to vintage fire engines to antique trucks that offer loads of fun for children and adults alike.

Side Trips and Such
We don’t know why anyone would want to leave the ranch during a dude and guest ranch stay, but some folks just like to wander. Our ranchers can accommodate. They will arrange side trips to nearby national parks and historic monuments, shopping opportunities in nearby mountain towns, or side trips to other local attractions if you request. There are an abundance of interesting towns, narrow-gauge historic railways, gold and silver mines, and resort villages near our ranches that we can help you explore.

Mountain Biking
One of the most popular modes of fun these days is the mountain bike. All of us learned to ride bikes as kids and now these hardy, fat-tired, low-geared modern marvels can also take you up the mountain and down the trail. We have plenty of mountains and trails, so you might want to bring your mountain biking gear, too. Many of our ranches have loaner bikes or can arrange for you to rent the latest in two-wheel locomotion at a local bike shop. We throw in the scenery and wildlife watching for free along with that hot tub we mentioned earlier for your recuperation enjoyment at the end of all your rides.

Tennis and Golf
Only a few of our ranches have on-site tennis courts, but most can take you into a nearby town to play on our community courts, but please check first with your chosen ranch if this a desired activity.

None of our ranches have their own golf course, but some ranches are near world-class mountain courses. Remember the ball flies farther at our altitudes, so check with your selected ranch if you want to golf during your ranch stay.

Rock Climbing, Hot Air Ballooning, and Kayaking
These activities may be available near our ranches, but are not offered as standard activities at most of our ranches. However, it is easy for us to arrange for you to enjoy these outdoor adventures with nearby guides and companies offering these services. Again, just ask each ranch before you book if these activities can be arranged.

Shooting Sports
Like campfires and long horseback rides, the places where you can enjoy shooting sports are becoming rare in our world today. But our ranches still have plenty of privately owned vast expanses where you can enjoy this activity in a responsible manner. Many of ranches offer target shooting, trap shooting and even sporting clays. Several ranches make western firearms available for you to fire off a round or two just like the old-time western outlaws and marshals. Check with your ranch for shooting sports availability and age restrictions.

Sauna, Hot Tubs, and Spas
Back in your world, you probably don’t ride horses much. Possibly after your first ride you may discover a muscle or two that you didn’t know you had. Well, we have just the answer – the ranch hot tub (our more upscale ranches provide hot tubs for every cabin). All our ranches offer a warm soak at the end of the day. Others have saunas and one ranch even has its own hot springs. Most of our ranches can also arrange for a personal masseuse for you at the ranch and many are located near natural hot springs or area spas.

Lots to choose from
Every ranch is unique. Once you decide what you "must have" in a ranch, you'll have to explore the handful of ranches that remain and decide which best suits your taste. The good news is, there are probably a number of ranches what will provide you with an equally satisfying vacation experience. No wonder folks become hooked on dude ranch vacations!