What to Know About Vacationing at Altitude

Occasionally, we hear from folks who love the idea of visiting a Colorado dude ranch, but worry that they’ll be affected by the elevation. Usually, it’s because they have had a friend or relative who experienced discomfort while vacationing at altitude. They assume they’ll automatically be out of breath from the moment they enter our…

Family fun and adventure at Colorado’s Dude and Guest Ranches

  Outdoor Adventure, Cookouts and “Edutaining” Activities for the Kids   Shawnee, Colo. (April 28, 2009) – Colorado’s dude & guest ranches provide the perfect getaway for a family vacation. You’ll find something for everyone in the family with this mini-destination experience. The 30 certified ranches offer everything from riding, river rafting, fishing, hiking, tennis…

How to Play Horseshoes Like a Pro

  When families come to us for a Colorado dude ranch vacation, it’s normally because they want to break the vacation mold and try something new. They yearn for horseback rides on the dusty trail, zip lines across sweeping valleys, and whitewater rafting down our rivers. But if you really want to take your Dude…

Mother & Son Planting

No More Pork and Beans

  I was initially inspired to write this piece by my love of lululemon stretch pants under cowgirl boots, a good Colorado Kolsch, and lamb done better than my own Jewish mother could prepare. Pork and beans aside, there is still plenty of authentic dude ranch cuisine available on today’s menu, however, look for a…

Horses and Kids

Why Horses Sometimes Make the Best Doctors

  Do you know what veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, inmates with emotional issues, and teenagers dealing with clinical levels of anxiety all have in common? They all respond more positively to equine therapy than antidepressants. It’s true: horses sometimes make the best doctors and therapists. We point this out because even though there…

Dude Ranch History

A Quick History of the Dude Ranch

  One of the questions we are used to hearing from people who are on their first Colorado ranch vacation is: “who came up with the idea for this, anyway?” After all, ranches have been around for a long time, but they were (and many times still are) businesses designed to raise cattle, along with…

Horses and Kids

Book a Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation: It’s Good For Your Health!

  [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.coloradoranch.com/request-a-brochure/?_ga=1.217974613.296415248.1492098360″ text=”Request A Free Brochure ” ] Have you ever gone on a vacation and come back feeling worse than when you left? That’s unfortunate, but it happens. The stress of travel and planning meals, activities, etc can leave you tired out and worn down. In other words, they can create the…

7 Things Foodies Love About Colorado Ranches

When most people think of the food they would find at a working ranch, they tend to imagine dusty cowboys eating beans cooked over a fire, or big steak dinners held in log cabin lodges. While those are certainly romantic and iconic notions, they aren’t really up to date. As it turns out, visiting a…

Ranch Fishing

This Dude Ranch Seems Fishy…

What if you didn’t have to decide between a family vacation and an unforgettable fishing trip? What if you could get away, catch a few new trophies in a serene mountain setting, and unwind with dozens of other fun activities while keeping your kids happy? The fishing available on and near our vacation ranches in Colorado might…

Booking Your Ranch Vacation on a Budget: Insider Tips

Booking Your Ranch Vacation on a Budget: Insider Tips [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://www.coloradoranch.com/request-a-brochure/?_ga=1.217974613.296415248.1492098360″ text=”Request a Free Brochure” ] Visiting a Colorado dude ranch is likely to be one of the most affordable vacations you’ll ever book. That’s because you can save money on international travel, cruise ship fees, along with the huge (and often unexpected) expenses…

Tempt your palate with indulgent gourmet dinners, wine pairings/tastings and farm to table traditions at Colorado’s Dude and Guest Ranches

  Wine, dine and simply indulge   Shawnee, CO (Jan. 28, 2015) – Today’s Colorado dude and guest ranch experience revolves around a variety of tempting taste bud delicacies ranging from traditional ranch fare to organic and farm grown products to tantalizing gourmet meals served with that perfect glass of wine. You’ll never go hungry…

Why Moms Love Colorado Dude Ranch Vacations

In addition to their dozens of other duties, moms often find themselves in charge of planning and booking family vacations. Over the years, we have learned that many of them will say time spent on a Colorado dude ranch ranks amongst the best trips they have ever taken. It isn’t just that traveling to Colorado…

Dude Ranches – The original “Green” vacation

  February 10, Shawnee, CO – Member ranches of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association have been offering family vacations that follow “green practices” far longer than recent trends. Colorado dude ranches have been “green” for, oh, about 70 years now. There is nothing greener than riding a good horse on a well-maintained natural…

Travel to Colorado in June

  April 10, Shawnee, CO – It is difficult to select the absolutely very best month to vacation at a Colorado dude ranch. But if you ask very politely, a local cowboy may share this secret – June cannot be beat as THE month most Coloradoans love the best. In June, the wildflowers are at…

This Summer Become a Colorado ‘Cowboy/Cowgirl’

  …at Colorado’s All-Inclusive Dude & Guest Ranches. Explore Specialty Weeks, New Amenities and More Activities that Meet Individual Needs and Budget.   Shawnee, CO (Jan. 27, 2010) – What exactly is a ‘Colorado Cowboy/Cowgirl’? Mix one part traditional cowboy with one part Colorado active outdoor lifestyle and get the best of both worlds –…

Discover Unexpected Indulgence At Colorado Dude and Guest Ranches

  Gourmet Dinners, Wine Pairings, Relaxation and Pampering Await Guests Wine, dine and pamper yourself on your next celebration vacation Shawnee, CO (February 24, 2010) – Commemorate your next milestone, anniversary or birthday with a Celebration Vacation at one of Colorado’s dude and guest ranches. At many ranches you’ll find an all-inclusive vacation experience that…