Top Dude Ranches in Colorado

By Lima

The top dude ranches in Colorado want to pick up where the top ski spots in Colorado left off, bringing in plenty of paying customers paying hefty amounts of recreational dollars. Of course owners of top dude ranches in Colorado already have a head start. They have the ranches and they have Colorado. This means they stand prepared to offer "dudes" and their accompanying family or friends a wonderful time on a real western ranch amidst some of the best scenery you can imagine. What the top dude ranches in Colorado add is their own specialty to perk up their deal and make them stand out to prospective visitors.

Don't be afraid to insist that the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is one of the best such facilities in the west . You'll be in good company. "Western Magazine" and Frommers Colorado guidebook have already handed out their accolades to this gem. During he summer Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch offers six night vacation packages and during the rest of the year makes its operation available for overnight activities or one day meeting spots for businesses, families, parties, reunions and other group gatherings. All year long there is something going on at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch.

 

Activities at Sylvan Dale certainly begin with horses and cattle as this is a true working farm. But its a farm where guests are welcomed to lend a hand with the ongoing chores and feel what it is like to work the land like a real cowboy. Recognizing that there are lots of levels of "dudes" that arrive at the ranch, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch puts the safety of its guests first and offers riding that is at the level of the prospective rider. You will find riding lessons for beginners and progressively more demanding activities for those comfortable in the saddle. Guests here can participate in overnight pack trips and cattle drives as well as enjoying the scenery that abounds.

 

Even the most accomplished horseman or woman will eventually welcome a change of activity. The Sylvan Dale Ranch lies adjacent to the Big Thompson River and as much fly fishing as you can handle. The ranch also makes available a swimming pool and tennis courts. Want something less demanding just take a walk and enjoy nature or go birding. When the weather doesn't cooperate the ranch is ready with an indoor game room featuring pool table and ping pong table as well as other indoor games.

 

If you are looking for the signature item at Sylvan Dale it might be the cooking. Everything is fresh, special dietary needs or requests in advance will be honored and you will get a taste of some of the very best beef you have ever consumed.  For more information or to discuss reservations call at 877-667-3999.

Sure everyone thinks skiing when they hear "Aspen", except perhaps folks who have visited Aspen Canyon Ranch in Parshall, Colorado.

Like any self respecting dude ranch in Colorado the main activity you will encounter at Aspen Canyon Ranch is definitely horseback riding. But at Aspen Canyon there is a real effort made to distinguish the ranch by the large variety of other available fun things there are to do when you dismount for while. With the great choices of fun things to do here, you can still enjoy being on horseback but you won't feel like the day is really over when your ride is done .

You will find skeet shooting and archery are popular and may be totally new to you and your family. You can also enjoy things like fishing, hiking and swimming in the swimming hole which may make you feel more at home. Some dudes even like to take a lesson or two and try to become handy with a rope. If you need more action Aspen Canyon can hook you up with golf, hot air ballooning, even white water rafting. A real effort has been made here to make sure your vacation turns out to be just what you hoped for.

Accommodations here are the expected log cabins but the location is great. You will find yourself waking up right next to the Williams Fork River. A nice extra is the daily delivery of home baked cookies. A person could get used to this. The cookies turn out to be just a teaser for the excellent food you will enjoy at each meal including the dinner and breakfast rides. Attention is given to special dining needs and the needs of kids.  Call 1-800 321-1357 for more information .

You'll find it all at Colorado Trails Ranch. From early June to late September this ranch is open to families, singles and couples with age appropriate activities for all.

 

You may find more activity at this Durango ranch than you can fit into a week but you will enjoy the opportunity to try it all. When you arrive you will discover that there are more than 80 horses from which to choose the best mount for you. Wranglers help to make good choices for horse assignments making sure to match horses according to ability . Children of course are welcome but only those 5 and older can be permitted to ride for safety reasons. There is baby sitting service here at an hourly rate to care for small children while parents enjoy a ride.

All kinds of rides are available here. There are short one to one and half hour rides that help tenderfoots to get used to be being aboard a horse, longer rides that include a chuck wagon lunch and day long rides that will require eating on the trail. Guests with good ability on horseback can pay an extra $35 and be part of a cattle drive. There are also sunrise rides and family breakfast rides. Families with children sometimes enjoy the "corral capers" which are games played on horseback in a limited space.

 

You will not lack for time on horseback at Colorado Trails Ranch in Durango, Colorado. But when you want to change it up a little bit you will realize that there are lots of other things to do and enjoy at the ranch. Fly fishing is a favorite here, but you will also locate a swimming pool, archery range, trap shooting area, volleyball and basketball, horse shoe pit, hiking trails and river rafting. Kids will love the "Ruckus Room" that has lots of kid friendly fun like ping pong and pool.

Accommodations at Colorado Trails are log cabins with porches where you can enjoy the sunset or sunrise or pretty much any time of the day. All cabins have daily housekeeping. For more information or for reservations call at 877-711-7843.