Ranch Vacation Colorado
GRAND COUNTY’S DUDE AND GUEST RANCHES WAIT TO WELCOME YOU TO AN AMERICAN TRADITION & GREAT COLORADO VACATION
Grand
County, Colorado -- Known as the “Dude Ranch Capital of the US,” Grand
County, Colorado, boasts six world-class dude and guest ranches. Most
offer all-inclusive packages that include lodging, meals, trail rides,
and other activities such as tennis, golf, swimming, hayrides, and
cookouts. Each establishment also takes its own unique approach to the
authentic Western experience, from down-and-dirty cattle drives to
square dance dinners, and rustic cabins to elegant lodges. All making
a very unique Colorado ranch vacation.
The oldest,
continuously-operated guest ranch in Colorado is located on the Gold
Medal trout fishing waters of the Colorado River near Parshall. Since
1912 the Bar Lazy J Ranch has been a favorite vacation destination of
fishermen and, more recently, visitors interested in exploring the
adjacent 30,000 acres of Colorado state and federal forestlands on
horseback or foot. Relaxation is the password here, and the staff
specializes in personal attention. The owner even keeps a supply of
hats and boots for visitors who arrive without them, and during the
summer the staff puts on a Friday night talent show for the guests.
(www.barlazyj.com)
Owners: Jerry and Cheri Helmicki – 800-396-6279
Just
up the road from Granby is the C Lazy U Ranch, this Mobil Four Star
ranch offers luxury vacation accommodations, elegant dining, and
first-name-basis service. Riding is available on 8,000 acres of
Colorado trails and in the 10,000-square-foot indoor arena. Guests
wanting a taste of ranch work can join in the three-session Cattle
Working Clinic. Other vacation activities available include; tennis,
racquetball, cross-country skiing, and shuttles to nearby ski resorts.
The ranch caters to families by offering extensive supervised programs
for children aged 3 through teen. (www.clazyu.com)
General Manager: Tim Hennen 970-887-3384
Nestled
in its own private mountain valley, the 600-acre Drowsy Water Ranch has
specialized in providing authentic western vacations for over 70 years.
The approach is decidedly informal, with horseback riding, meals and
entertainment as the main vacation activities. Adult and children’s
programs also include swimming, horseshoes, steak fries, trout fishing,
square dancing, jeep trips, hayrides, movies, pack trips, gymkhana
rodeos, raft trips, golf, and more. (www.drowsywater.com)
Owners: Ken and Randy Sue Fosha 800-845-2292
Latigo
Ranch, near Kremmling, Colorado, in the western part of the county,
strives for a personal and intimate feel. Arriving guests are welcomed
with a jar of homemade caramel corn. Accommodations are limited to 35
guests, and the focus is on horsemanship. Each guest and horse are
matched as to temperament, ability, and physical requirements, and
progress through the various levels of skill at their own pace.
Individual instruction is available, and Horsemanship Clinics taught by
noted western horseman and trainer Marty Marten are offered in each
fall. During the late summer, riders can even sign up to work a real
cattle drive with a local rancher. (www.latigotrails.com)
Owner: Randy and Kathy George/Jim and Kathy Yost 800-227-9655
Grand
County’s dude and guest ranches are located in the central and western
part of the county, an approximately 90-mile drive from Denver,
Colorado.
