Family Dude Ranch
A Dude Ranch for Every Occasion in Grand County, Colorado
Grand
County, Colorado – Home to six world-class dude and guest ranches,
Grand County has earned its spurs as the “Dude Ranch Capital of the
USA.” For sixty years, Grand County dude ranches have given visitors
a taste of the Old West in a setting of gracious hospitality and scenic
beauty. But today’s dude ranches, while remaining true to the western
lifestyle and activities, now include a whole new world of activities
and amenities. From trail rides, square dance dinners, and rustic
cabins to golf, haute cuisine and elegant lodges, there’s a dude ranch
experience for every kind of family.
There are many advantages
to booking a guest ranch for a wedding, group retreat or family
reunion. First of all, the secluded locations (not to mention the
spectacular scenery) allow groups and families to truly get away from
it all. Activities – from riding lessons and trail rides to swimming
or square dances, can be as loose or as structured as you want, and
most offer special children’s programs. Meals are part of the package,
leaving organizers free to be part of the group or family. In addition
to riding lessons and pack trips, dude ranch guests can participate in
the more modern Western activities like whitewater rafting, fly
fishing, golf, or jeep tours.
Here’s just a taste of what Grand County dude and guest ranches have to offer:
Since
1912 the Bar Lazy J Dude Ranch, located on the Gold Medal trout fishing
waters of the Colorado River near Parshall, has been a favorite fishing
destination because of its excellent fishing for beginner or expert in
the Colorado River or the stocked trout pond, great for family.
Visitors can also explore the adjacent to thousands of acres of state
and federal forestlands on horseback or foot. Evenings are prime time,
with hay rides, the Friday night staff talent show, or simply relaxing
and chatting in front of the cabin while enjoying the sunset. The Bar
Lazy J hosts many family and group reunions during the summer, from
small get-togethers to larger family groups.
• 42 Guests Maximum
• (800-396-6279/www.barlazyj.com)
Aspen
Canyon Ranch’s secluded location and small size lends itself to
togetherness and personal attention. Days are filled with trail rides,
riding lessons, fishing, hiking, and even whitewater rafting. The
kid’s program, Kids Canyon, offers activities just for them, including
panning for gold, horseshoes, swimming, trail rides for the older kids,
pony rides for the little ones and even a kids rodeo. After a homemade
family-style meal in the rustic lodge, evenings are a time for
old-fashioned fun like horseshoes, foosball, ping-pong, pool, western
dancing, or maybe just relaxing in front of the fire in your log cabin
at this great dude ranch.
• 50 Guests Maximum
• (800-321-1357/www.aspencanyon.com).
The
8,000-acre C Lazy U Ranch near Granby, offers luxury accommodations,
elegant dining, and first-name-basis service. The riding program, with
fully supervised instruction and rides, is geared to all ages and
abilities and is available both summer and winter. During the winter
guests can enjoy ice skating, tubing, sledding, sleigh rides, or
specially-planned holiday activities. The summer activities include
tennis, hiking, swimming, rowboating, golf and fly fishing.
• 105 Guests Maximum
• (970-887-3344/www.clazyu.com)
King
Mountain Ranch, on Highway 125 north of Granby is a year-round dude
ranch nestled in the Arapaho National Forest. Riders of all ages get
more than riding lessons, they get a full “horse experience”
encompassing grooming, tack care, and handling, as well as riding.
During the day, year-round, guests can be as busy as they want with
riding, fishing, hiking, skeet or trap shooting, skiing, hiking,
whitewater rafting, and snowshoeing. Groups of at least 60 may request
exclusive use of the facility, great for famliy reunions or small
weddings. Organizers are encouraged to work with the staff to put
together the perfect menu and activities program. In addition to the
usual riding and outdoor activities, groups or families can organize
their own “barnyard olympics” and team building activities.
• 60 Guests Maximum
• (800-476-5464/www.kingranchresort.com)
Nestled
in its own private mountain valley, the 600-acre Drowsy Water Ranch has
specialized in providing authentic western vacations for more than 70
years. Drowsy Water Ranch is one of the few guest ranches in the state
to offer a complete family ranch experience with their supervised
infant to mid-teen program. In addition to the riding program, guests
can build their vacation around trout fishing, swimming, square
dancing, jeep trips, campfires, hayrides, pack trips, gymkhana rodeos,
raft trips, golf, and more. Home cooked meals are served family-style
at large trestle tables.
• 60 Guests Maximum
• (800-845-2292/www.drowsywater.com)
Latigo
Ranch, located in a secluded setting among the panoramic vistas of
Grand County, is the perfect making for a personal and intimate ranch
experience for groups as large as 35. They have a photographer on
staff for group, family and candid photos. Each guest is assigned a
horse matching his or her level of skill, and riders can participate in
a range of horseback experiences, from learning how to saddle and groom
your horse, to trail rides, to overnight pack trips. When not riding,
guests can take flyfishing lessons, go rafting on the Colorado River,
or just hang out at the rec center.
• 35 Guests Maximum
• (800-227-9655/www.latigotrails.com).
Grand
County’s dude and guest ranches are conveniently located just 90-miles
from Denver. For more information, check out the website for the Dude
and Guest Ranches of Grand County (www.dude-ranch.com) or visit the
website of the ranch that interests you. Information about other Grand
County destinations is available at www.grand-county.com.
