Zapata Ranch is a 103,000-acre ranch owned by The Nature Conservancy of Colorado where guests can ride through and learn about our conservation herd of 2,500 bison, integrate themselves into daily life on the ranch and participate in extensive nature programs. Managed by Ranchlands, Zapata Ranch in nestled at the base of Southern Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains and shares a border with the United States’ tallest sand dunes: The Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

In the News

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine: 1 of 3 Best Ranches in America for a Real Working Ranch Vacation

Western Horseman Magazine: 1 of 15 Best Holidays and Riding Vacations to Book Today

Gourmet Live: 1 of 4 Ranch Vacations for Food Lovers

The Equestrian Magazine (UK & Ireland): 1 of 2 Ranches Featured in Lifestyle Ranch Riding Holidays

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine: The Best Ranch Lodging and Dining in Colorado

ABC News: Featured on The Travel Show as a Top Learning Vacation Destination

America’s Heartland TV Show: Featured as an Unforgettable Experience in the World of Agriculture

Colorado Meetings & Events Magazine: Featured in the National Treasures Venue Report

CBS Denver News: Top 5 Ranches in Colorado

Each guest room is equipped with either two double beds or a single king, and private bathrooms. The lodge is built on the original Zapata homestead with buildings that date back to the late 1800’s and is surrounded by extensive grounds. The buildings are all restored chinked log and boast high comfort and rustic elegance. Daily maid service and laundry facilities are included.

Two programs, Ranching With Nature and The Great Outdoors Experience, give you the opportunity for a one-of-a-kind, fully customizable vacation. Whether you want to help move cattle from one pasture to the next, monitor water levels and grass growth, participate in a traditional branding, rise with the sun for a ride through the Sand Dunes Nation Park, go on an interpretive walk through grasslands and learn about bison as a conservation species, or white water raft down the Arkansas River, the staff is here to make this the vacation of your lifetime.

Zapata Ranch serves its own grass-fed beef and bison, along with local produce. The style is down home gourmet and meals are served family-style in dining room. Executive chef is Mike Rosenberg.

Our meeting facility is complete with all top-of-the-line AV, wi-fi and floor-to-ceiling windows on one whole side of the facility that looks into one of our pastures. With 15 rooms (30 person capacity), experiences are intimate and easily customizable, providing plenty of time to take part in life on a real working ranch or experiencing the outdoor activities right in our backyard.

Our 15-bedroom, rustic chic lodge with an unobstructed view of the Great Sand Dunes National Park offers a personal, intimate venue for special events. Should you select to have your wedding with us, our staff - from our executive chef, Mike Rosenberg, who will work with you to customize a menu just for your event to Sam Montgomery, who will be the event coordinator dedicated to you before, during and after your wedding– will work together to make your wedding perfect.

Family groups are a great use of the facilities because of the opportunity to have the ranch exclusively to yourself. We can create a custom itinerary for your group to include ranch and non-ranch activities.