Join us for our 79th year in the saddle in 2025!

Grab your hat, your boots, and your sense of adventure….we’re ready to provide you with memories of a lifetime.

Looking for a Truly Unique Vacation Experience?

Join us the week of July 20th-26th, 2025 for Native American Week!

  • Just $3550 per person (ages 13 and up)
  • Lower rates for children 12 and under

An authentic horse and cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch has been Family owned and operated since 1946.

Our 3,200 acres offer plenty of outdoor adventures including cattle drives, overnight pack trips, fishing, rafting, trapshooting, and more. 33 min. from Estes Park. We’re an easy hour from Denver, with mild temps and mile-high elevation.

Sylvan Dale is a 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner and 2023 Certificate of Excellence recipient by Trip Advisor. Gene Kilgore selected Sylvan Dale to be on the 2019 list of World’s Best Ranches! Also named “Best Family Vacation” by Frommer’s Colorado guidebook and rated among the “top ten Colorado Dude Ranches” by True West Magazine, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch offers year ’round outdoor adventures.

Your Best Sylvan Dale Vacation Ever!

—–More for Less—–

The Jessup Family and Ranch Staff are here and ready to offer you “Great Fun, Great Food, and Great Folks!”

“Cowboy Up” with us this coming summer! More family time. More fun activities. More time to kick back.

Our six-night western-adventure-packed week begins with check-in on Sunday after 3:00pm and ends Saturday morning after breakfast with check-out at 10:00am. 5-night packages are also available during select weeks. (Sun-Fri).

Included in your Sylvan Dale Adventure:

“Lots to do…no pressure to do it!”

Horsin’ Around:

  • Participate in ranch chores
  • Brush up on your horsemanship skills
  • Explore scenic trails on horseback
  • Bond with your assigned horse
  • Rise and shine for breakfast on the trail
  • Gentle foals
  • Roundup and drive cattle (select weeks) or try team sorting (any week)
  • Enter the SDR Gymkhana
  • Professional Training Demonstrations
  • Care for your horse – vet care, hoof care, grooming, equine massage
  • History of the Heart J herd

Outdoor Adventures:

  • Trapshooting
  • Rock Climbing
  • Archery
  • Fishing – Bass (included) & Trout (additional charge)
  • White Water Rafting (additional charge – arranged through Mountain Whitewater Descents)
  • Excursions:
  • Cattle Drives – June 29th

Evening Fun:

  • Welcome Wagon Ride
  • Ranch History
  • Cowboy Campfire with songs and s’mores
  • Softball at the Field of Dreams with hand cranked homemade ice cream
  • Swing your Partner – a night of country western dancing
  • Happy Trails Ranch Party

All about Kids (ages 3-12):

  • Lead around rides for the little ones
  • Horsemanship class ages 7 and up
  • Trail rides
  • Archery
  • Ranch chores
  • Donkey Talk
  • Chicken Roundup
  • Gentling Foals
  • Bass Fishing

Here are our 2025 peak season rates:

$3300pp– Adults (ages 13 and up)

$2300pp – Youth (ages 7-12)

$1650pp  – Children (ages 3-6)

Free – Children under 3

Choose from the following adventure-packed weeks:

  • June 1-6 – Cowgirl Roundup – Ladies Only – 5-night stay – SOLD OUT
  • June 8-13 – Family Week – 5-night stay – SOLD OUT
  • June 15-20 – Father’s Day Vacation! – 5-night stay – 2 SPOTS LEFT
  • June 22-28 – Family Week – 6-night stay – SOLD OUT
  • June 29-July 5 – Cattle Drive – 12 spots left
  • July 6-11 – Cowgirl Roundup – Ladies Only – 5-night stay
  • July 13-19 – Family Week – 6-night stay – SOLD OUT
  • July 20-26 – Native American Living History Week – 10 SPOTS LEFT
  • July 27-August 2 – Family Week – 12 SPOTS LEFT
  • August 3-9 – Rodeo Cowboy week – Larimer County Fair & Rodeo Fun! – 13 SPOTS LEFT
  • August 10-15 – Great Grownup Getaway – Adults Only – 5-night stay
  • August 17-22 – Great Grownup Getaway – Adults Only – 5-night stay
  • August 31-September 5 – Fall Cowgirl Roundup – Ladies Only – 5-night stay – 6 SPOTS LEFT
  • September 7-12 – Fall Great Grownup Getaway – Adults Only – 5-night stay – 8 SPOTS LEFT
  • September 25-30 – Fall Cowgirl Roundup – Ladies Only – 5-night stay – SOLD OUT

Ask about our Family Reunion Package too!

This summer is a great opportunity to experience that family gathering you have always wished for! With at least 25 good folks, you can have the Ranch all to yourselves. We’ll help customize your program to meet the interests and needs of your family.

Contact Karen for particulars: (970) 667-3915 ext. 202 or karenb@sylvandale.com

For all of the adults who are looking for a kid-free getaway, look no further!

Come to Sylvan Dale to discover your inner Cowboy or Cowgirl!

  • June 1-6 – Cowgirl Roundup – 5-night stay – Ladies Only – SOLD OUT
  • July 6-11 – Cowgirl Roundup – 5-night stay – Ladies Only
  • August 10-15 – Great Grownup Getaway – 5-night stay – Adults Only
  • August 17-22 – Great Grownup Getaway – Adults Only – 5-night stay
  • August 31-September 5 – Fall Cowgirl Roundup – Ladies Only – 5-night stay – 6 SPOTS LEFT
  • September 7-12 – Great Grownup Getaway – 5-night stay – Adults Only – 8 SPOTS LEFT
  • September 25-30 – Cowgirl Roundup – 5-night stay – Ladies Only – SOLD OUT

Why not make Sylvan Dale your Holiday Tradition?

Make family memories to last a lifetime!

  • More than Just Pumpkin Pie – November 28-December 1, 2024
  • Candlelight & Carols – December 22, 2024
  • Colorado Holiday Season Getaway – December & January

Check out? You set the date!

We look forward to learning more about you and your dream vacation. Our lodging capacity is limited to 40 good folks, so don’t delay in getting back to us!

Contact us today for reservations!

(970) 667-3915

ranch@sylvandale.com

Lots to do…no pressure to do it!

Guestamonial:

“What a wonderful experience! Breathtaking beauty on the many trail rides with horses that are trained so well. All the staff, and I mean all, were so helpful and kind. This place is truly a gem. The food (3 meals a day) and lodging were outstanding. The various activities offered were all excellent. The open, caring atmosphere made making new friends & relationships just happen.”

— P.L.G.

 

Guest Capacity:
40
Meeting Capacity:
80
Dates Open:
Spring: May. 01,2025 - Jun. 01,2025
Summer: Jun. 01,2025 - Aug. 22,2025
Fall: Aug. 31,2025 - Sep. 30,2025
Winter: Nov. 01,2025 - Apr. 30,2025
Riding Dates:
Jan. 01,2025 - Dec. 31,2025
Minimum Age For Independent Riding:
7
Minimum Age Accepted at Ranch:
0

Lodging Overview

Cabins are clustered in the main yard amid giant cottonwoods and blue spruce, and are warmly decorated with comfortable country furnishings and antique accents. All have private baths and porches, air-conditioning, carpeting, refrigerators and coffee makers. Some also have fireplaces. Guest houses are perfect for larger families or groups and feature 3 or more bedrooms, 2+ baths, kitchens and outdoor patios.

Recreation Overview

Our ranch-raised quarter horses are at the heart of our program. Our riding program is designed to offer a challenge to every rider. Whether you are an experienced rider or a first-timer, you will appreciate the quality of our herd and the competence of our wranglers. As a Heart-J Rider you will be assigned a horse for the week. During the summer months, we also have a few larger horses for those over 240lbs. You'll also find fishing, swimming, tennis, game room, nature walks, birding, Western arena activities and much more. Each evening features an event such as a campfire sing-along, wagon rides, cookout, square and line dancing, a "field of dreams" softball game or a rollicking Ranch Party.

Dining Overview

All meals are included in your vacation package, and food is plentiful, hearty and home-style. Sylvan Dale specialties include our fried chicken and meatloaf welcome dinner, outdoor steak fry, Thanksgiving dinner and a Mexican Buffet. Home-baked goodies are a delicious tradition. Meals are served in the Roundup Room or outside at the Heart-J Grill. We are happy to accommodate special diets, excluding kosher and vegan.

Rates

Adult Rate:
Cowgirl Roundup, July 6-11: $2350pp Low season weeks: June 8, June 15; August 10, August 17, August 31, September 7 (ask about our lower rates) Traditional Dude Weeks, June 22 – August 9: $3300pp Adults Only Week, August 10-15, 17-22: $2350pp Fall Adults Only Week, September 7-12: $2350pp Fall Cowgirl Roundup, August 31-September 5, September 25-30: $2350pp
Child Rate:
Low season weeks: June 8 (ask about our lower rates), June 15; Traditional Dude Weeks, June 22 – August 9: Youth (ages 7-12) $2350/child Child (ages 3-6) $1650/child
Service Charge/Tip Rate:
Our staff benefits from a tip pool. Guests typically leave anywhere from 15-20% of the package total.
Tax Rate:
3.7
Accepted Payment Methods:
A deposit is due within 2 weeks of reservation; final payment is due at checkout, but you are welcome to prepay. Personal checks are cheerfully accepted, as well as MasterCard, American Express, Visa, and Discover.
Travel Agents Accepted:
yes

Accommodations

Lodging Accomodations:
yes
Cabin Accomodations:
yes
Season
Dedicated Arrival Day
Minimum Night Stay
Summer (Peak Season)
Sunday
5 Nights
Fall (Off Peak Season)
Sunday, Thursday
5 Nights
Winter (Off Peak Season)
N/A
1 Night
Spring (Off Peak Season)
N/A
1 Night

Activities

Children's Program:
Yes
Children's Program Start/End Age:
3 - 12
Baby Sitting:
No
Swimming:
Outdoor heated pool. Tubing on the river during select months only!
Cattle Gathering:
Yes
Team Penning:
Yes
Cattle Drives:
Yes
Additional Cattle Activities:
Fishing:
Guided fly fishing - trophy trout lakes-extra charge; Bass fishing is included at no additional charge!
River Rafting:
Yes-Charge
Guided Hiking:
Yes-No Charge
Golf:
Nearby
Mountain Biking:
Local trails nearby with the option of local bike rentals
Shooting Sports:
Yes-No Charge
Hay/Wagon Ride:
Yes
Adult Only Weeks:
Yes