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Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |
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| Famous For: | Legendary hospitality since 1946, superb fly-fishing, Great Fun, Great Food, Great Folks! |
| Capacity: | 50+ guests |
| Open: | 2nd week of June to next to last week of August |
| Altitude: | 5,280 feet |
| Location: | 66 miles Northwest of Denver; 3200 acres nestled on the banks of the Big Thompson River, 20 miles from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. |
| Reservations: | Toll Free 877-667-3999 |
| Rates: |
Adults: (13 and up): $1915; Non-Rider: $1535
Children: Youth (6-12): $1285; Children (3-5): $955 |
| Minimum Stay: | 6-nights (Sun. thru Sat.) during Dude Ranch season; No minimum, September thru mid-June. |
| Deposit: | 30% due 2 weeks after reservation has been confirmed. |
| Payment: | Personal checks, travelers’ checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Real Fast Ponies! :-) |
| Closest Airports: | Denver, CO. (DIA) 60 miles. We also have a small municipal airport in town. |
| Transportation: | Take the Shamrock airport shuttle into town, and we'll pick you up! Please inquire. |
| Travel Agents: | YES |
| Guest Reviews: | Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 ArcheryBed-and-BreakfastSeasonal Big/Heavy Riders200-250 lbs. BirdingCamps for KidsDude Ranch with Kids Camp Cattle Drives1 or Part Day Cattle Ranches101 - 200 Head Children's ProgramsBaby Sitting Extensive Counselor Program - All Day or Camplike Program Children's Trail Riding6 yrs old Computer/Email ServicesConference ServicesA/V Computer/Email Services Corporate Groups, MeetingsMedium (50-100) CuisineRanch/Western Vegetarian Dude/Guest RanchesEmail AccessFishingFly Fishing Equipment Available Fish on Your Own Lake Fishing on Property Professional Guides & Instruction Stream Fishing on Property Type of Fish Trout Spin Fishing Equipment Available Instruction Available Lake Fishing on Property |
Golf Near (within 30 miles) HikingGuided On Your Own Holiday ProgramsChristmas Thanksgiving Valentine's Day Honeymoon PackagesHorseback RidingHorsemanshipHorsesQuarter Kitchen Facilities (in cabin)Languages SpokenEnglish Spanish Laundry ServiceLiquorAvailable MassageNative American ProgramsNaturalist GuidesNon-Riding RatesPack TripsRanch Activity |
Rafting Nearby (within 30 miles) Resort RanchesTennis & Swimming on Property Saddle Your Own HorseSeminarsHorsemanship Seminars - Fall Horsemanship Seminars - Spring Short Stays (1-4 days)Off Season Only Sporting ClaysSwimming PoolHeated Team BuildingTennisOn Property White-Water RaftingNearby (within 30 miles) Class II Class III Winter without SnowWomenWeeks WorkshopsPhotography Yoga | |
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| LODGING |
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| Sylvan Dale facilities have been designed with your comfort in mind. Whether a cabin with antique accents, or a room in the Bunkhouse with western décor, each is carpeted and comfortable, with private bath. By our guests' request, there are no phones or TVs in Sylvan Dale accommodations... nothing to distract you from the peaceful sounds of the Big Thompson River as you turn in for the night. |
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| RECREATION |
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| Welcome hayride with Howdy & Sundance, horseback riding, riding instruction, horse care, trail rides, breakfast rides, pack trips, cattle round-ups, and gymkhana, fly-fishing, Native American program, white water rafting, live entertainment, country line dancing and square dancing followed by our famous cherry pie, ice cream social, birding hike, tubing the Big Thompson, Ranch party, swimming in our outdoor heated pool, tennis, game room with ping pong and billiards, horseshoes, hot tubbing. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Two Special Programs! Ages 6-12: Our "Buckaroo" Youth Program includes a full day of activities with riding instruction, horsemanship, trail rides, ranch chores, colt care and roping. Non-horse activities may include river tubing, archery, guided hikes to Prairie Dog Town or the Hidden Indian Cave, Native American games, farming and tractor rides, and other fun at the Kids' Clubhouse & Nature Center! In addition, Buckaroos also enjoy hiking to their own overnight campout on Eagle Ridge, and can participate in Friday's gymkhana games on horseback. Ages 3-5: The "Li'l Cowhand" Children's Program is designed for your little ones. Arena rides, treasure hunts, colt & mare care and storytelling are just some of the age-appropriate activities. Visits to the Kids' Clubhouse & Nature Center include exploration of ponds, games, arts & crafts and other fun! Sometimes they join the older kids, too! Childcare can be arranged for nap time and/or evening events at an additional charge for this age group, and those younger. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| Sylvan Dale can provide bar services for your event. We feature the best from Colorado wineries and breweries. Specialty Liquors may be ordered. Under our liquor license, all liquor and bartending services must be arranged through the Ranch, though guests can consume their own beverages in their lodging units. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| When we're not dude ranching, we're hosting business meetings and retreats (September through mid-June). Sylvan Dale features three primary meeting areas, including "The Heritage" - new in 1998. Day groups up to 125; overnight retreats up to 50 double occupancy (or 32 single occupancy). |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association, Dude Rancher’s Association, Estes Park Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Chamber of Commerce |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Native American Living History Week: Second Week in August. A hands-on program with Gray Wolf and other historians. Popular with all ages. Bows & arrows, Indian crafts, survival challenge, tipi tours, tomahawks, games and more! Additional $160 per person. Cattle Drive Weeks, Cowhand Special Weeks, and Cattle Roundups -- Cattle Work is available on all our weeks through the summer! Come help us with the Heart-J herd! |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| In the beginning, in the early 1920’s, Mr. and Mrs. Frend Neville owned a small cattle ranch at the mouth of the Big Thompson River. Wealthy doctors from St. Louis came to the area to hunt deer and liked it so much they wanted to bring their families. The Nevilles then built some cabins and a lodge along the river, planted some apple trees and named it “Sylvan Dale” meaning “wooded valley”. Years later, the facilities were sold to Cotner College, a Christian Church school in Lincoln, Nebraska. But during the depression of the 30’s, Cotner College closed and Sylvan Dale was leased out as a youth camp. Maurice Jessup, then a college kid in Oklahoma, overheard a conversation about the Ranch and asked for a summer job there. He hitch-hiked to Loveland and caught a ride from town with the mail carrier. He was overwhelmed with the beauty of the mountains and the rushing water and immediately told the camp director Mr. Weldon, “You know, I just love this place. Someday I’m going to own Sylvan Dale.” That was in 1934. Twelve years later, the Ranch was for sale and Maurice Jessup was in the military. He received special permission to go and bid on the property. After scratching his bid on a piece of paper, he and his wife Mayme “Tillie” were awarded the 125-acre run-down property. Together, Maurice and Tillie worked to make Sylvan Dale the 3200-acre guest ranch that it is today. 60 years later, the Ranch is still in the Jessup Family and continues to enchant people from near and far. |
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| ITINERARY |
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| Weeks begin on Sunday and end on Saturday. First Vacation Week: mid-June, starting Father's Day. Last Vacation Week: next to last week of August. This is only a brief outline of all our fun. See our website for more detail! Sunday 3:00 Howdy! Horsedrawn hayrides Welcome dinner Horse orientation at the stables Ice Cream Social Monday Nature Walk Riding Instruction - The Basics Trail Rides Fly fishing demo Fly tying class Horse training demo Square Dancing & Country Western Fun Tuesday Breakfast Ride Riding Instruction - The Jog Pond fishing Family Softball Bird Banding Trail Adventures Wednesday Riding Instruction - The Lope Trailrides White water rafting Thanksgiving Dinner Cowboy Songs & Stories Thursday Yoga Trailrides Riding Instruction - Drill Pattern Pond fishing Overnight Pack Trip Kids' Campout Campfire with Smores Friday Riding Instruction - Practice for rodeo games Trailrides Gymkhana (games on horseback) Ranch Party Saturday Cowboy breakfast Adios Ride 11:00 Happy Trails! |
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