DUDE RANCHES

Worth Planning a Trip Around

Photo courtesy of Brush Creek Ranch With expansive terrain, delicious meals, cozy cabins and a wide array of engaging Wild West-inspired activities, all-inclusive dude ranches make planning a vacation easy and stress-free. Below, some of our favorite ranches in Colorado and beyond that are perfect for your next vacation.

by Sarah Kuta

BRUSH CREEK RANCH

Venture north into Wyoming for a stay at Brush Creek Ranch, a luxury destination tucked among the Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow mountains of the North Platte River Valley. With 30,000 acres to explore and a robust culinary program, this working cattle ranch has it all: wine tastings, horseback rides, cooking classes, fly fishing, rock climbing, goat dairy tours, shooting sports and skiing on a 600-acre private ski mountain. Chefs also prepare succulent pasture-to-plate meals featuring Wagyu beef raised onsite, as well as veggies and herbs grown in the ranch’s 20,000 square feet of greenhouse space. brushcreekranch.com

VISTA VERDE GUEST RANCH

Set on 600 acres of gorgeous, hilly terrain in Clark, some 27 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Vista Verde Guest Ranch offers a true break from reality. Guests can participate in a wide range of activities, which vary depending on the season, including fly-fishing, trail rides, horsemanship sessions, fat biking, yoga, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, ice fishing, archery and so much more. Incredible dishes, prepared by executive chef Jonathon Gillespie and his team, make every meal at the ranch worth savoring. vistaverde.com

SYLVAN DALE GUEST RANCH

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch has been providing travelers with unparalleled Colorado hospitality since 1946—and, since the 3,200acre property is located just up the road in Loveland, it’s easy to get to, too. Situated on the banks of the Big Thompson River, the ranch gives guests an opportunity to get outside and explore, from scenic hiking trails to bass fishing to overnight pack trips and more. Not only is Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch a fun, Wild West-inspired vacation destination, but it’s also a stunning venue for retreats and weddings. sylvandale.com

TOP & BOTTOM IPhotos courtesy of Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch RIGHT IPhoto courtesy of Brush Creek Ranch

Photos courtesy of C Lazy U Ranch

C LAZY U RANCH

For more than 100 years, C Lazy U Ranch has been welcoming travelers to its 8,500 acres of pristine Grand County wilderness. Located in Granby, this historic all-inclusive guest ranch makes for an incredible getaway no matter your motivations, whether you’re seeking a romantic vacation for two or a multigenerational family trip even the kids will love. Horsemanship clinics, fly-fishing, spa treatments, mountain biking, hatchet throwing, tubing, yoga, sleigh rides and indulgent meals are all on the menu at C Lazy U. clazyu.com

DEER VALLEY RANCH

Ideal for families, Deer Valley Ranch has been a basecamp for horseback riding, camping, hiking, rock climbing paddle boarding, fishing and mountain biking since 1955. Nestled along Chalk Creek in Nathrop, a small town in central Colorado, the ranch offers cozy one-, three- and four-bedroom cabins, as well as lodge rooms that are right in the heart of the action. deervalleyranch.com

Families choose Boulder for the amazing lifestyle. Families trust BCD for the amazing education.

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Preschool through IB Middle School bouldercountryday.org Financial Assistance Available

Photos courtesy of Brush Creek Ranch

LATIGO RANCH

Enjoy delicious homemade caramel corn, a toasty fireplace or wood-burning stove and sweeping views of the Continental Divide from the front porch of your modern log cabin at Latigo Ranch. Located in Kremmling, the ranch provides access to more than 200 miles of horseback riding trails spread across 40,000 acres of national forest land. Gourmet meals, fly fishing, classic and skate skiing, snowshoeing and kids programs are just some of the perks included with an all-inclusive stay at Latigo. latigoranch.com

Read More Online: travelboulder.com/winter-activities-to-try-if-you-dont-ski

BAR LAZY J RANCH

As the oldest continuously operating dude ranch in Colorado, Bar Lazy J knows a thing or two about providing warm hospitality to guests. Since 1912, ranch staffers have been welcoming travelers to this gorgeous spot along the banks of the Colorado River in Parshall, a tiny town on Highway 40. Families love the kids’ activities, as well as the zip line, horseback riding, fly fishing and other outdoor activities for making the most of Colorado’s vast wilderness. barlazyj.com

Great Gifts of the Finest Foods & Imported Specialty Goods

Skip a plane ride over the pond during this uncertain time and excite all of your senses in “La Vie Parisienne Boheme” while experiencing a truly original & exciting European Marketplace right here in Colorado! Come check out our wonderful new wine section o ering over 60 varieties of unique one of a kind wines! DAILY ARRIVALS OF NEW, BEAUTIFUL & DELICIOUS PRODUCTS!

We have everything you need for Holiday entertaining, meals and gift giving. O ering items from imported soaps, Imported tablecloths, Perfume to Pastas Come in to see why everyone loves us and see that we are so much more than just a chesse shop.

Family owned and operated since 1976

103 Main St, Longmont, CO (303) 772-9599 www.cheeseimporters.com