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Lowdown

  • Established

    1960

  • Manager

    Jeanne Ross

  • Tel

    1.970.247.5055

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)

    $400 - $422

  • Nightly Rates (per child)

    $350 - $372

  • Minimum Stay

    3 days

  • Maximum Guests

    55

  • Works with travel agents?

    Yes

  • Great For

    Romance, Action & adventure, Peace & quiet, Diverse scenery

  • Memberships

    Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association, DRA, Colorado Agritourism Association, Colorado Leave No Trace and America Outdoors

Welcome to Colorado Trails: An all-inclusive family vacation adventure in the San Juan Mountains. A fun-filled dude ranch experience that creates new friends, family togetherness and memories.

Children at the Ranch

Great for children aged 5 and over

None of the youngsters in your family will be bored on this vacation. Your vacation activities aren’t just centered on your kids, while neglecting your own need to relax and have fun. Here, kids and adults can enjoy their own level of adventure. Competent counselors see to the kids’ needs while the parents are off hiking, horseback riding or fishing.

On this trip, all kids have a grand time exploring the great outdoors and connecting with nature. Yes, even your sulky teenager. Once they arrive and begin their own adventure with other kids their age, they’ll be so busy having fun and spending time with the family, the complaining evaporates. When it’s time to go home again, teenagers are always the saddest, the ones with the biggest tears. Just bring them along, and you can watch this amazing transformation we’ve been witnessing for decades.

The kids’ and teens’ programs are geared to small groups per counselor and ages are divided into similar maturity and skill levels, much as are used at school. This allows youngsters to really enjoy making new friends and all their group’s activities.

Minimum age children can ride

5 and over

Activities

hiking, picnics, cookouts, campouts, petting zoo, whitewater rafting, supervised swimming, Petting zoo, hayrides, power tubing, fishing, riflery, archery, arts and crafts, rafting

Games

scavenger/treasure hunts, horseshoes, volleyball, ping pong, pool table, Basketball, dancing

Baby Sitting

From age 0 to 5. Hourly cost $9.

Baby Sitting Provided By

Advance notice required

Ranch History

Built to be a dude ranch from its very beginning in 1960, prior to any original construction, there were only two buildings; a tiny old barn and the anteroom portion of what was once Coney Cove dance hall, built around 1912. This log structure is still in use today as wrangler staff housing. The first few years there was only the new lodge and six Alpine cabins.

In early years, guests made up their own brand, which was burned into the timber posts in the lodge. Those brands are still there, but this practice came to a halt many years ago. It was a sad end to a great Colorado Trails Ranch tradition, but necessary to protect the building from burning down.

Lowdown

  • Enjoy

    Gourmet, Ranch-style

  • Meals served

    family style, buffet style, everyone eats together, scheduled meals

  • Alcohol

    BYOB

  • Enjoy dining in

    nature settings, dining room (casual attire)

  • You'll definitely love

    fresh daily bread, fresh daily desserts

  • Dietary restrictions catered for

    lactose intolerant, vegetarians, Gluten free, other

We guarantee you’ll enjoy every meal served during your stay. It’s one thing for us to tell you that our chef is one talented cook, but it takes more than words to prepare you for the dining experience at Colorado Trails Ranch. Everyone raves about the food. It is one part gourmet and one part homemade goodness, always high quality, healthy and sensational.

We’re well aware that meals at home are hurried events or eaten on the run. Every part of a vacation should be pure pleasure, and on our guest ranch, you have the opportunity to indulge yourself in scrumptious, yet wholesome food. Menus are fulfilling, diverse and satisfying to both adults and children alike. Even your picky eaters will be thrilled with the delicious meals that are part of our all inclusive vacation packages.

Guest Favourites

  • Homemade waffles
  • Philly and chicken cheese steaks
  • Fudge pudding cake with ice cream

Your Chef, Brian McCormack

Over the years his kitchen experience has included casual restaurants, fine dining, hotels and catering. Additionally, several overseas adventures expanded his culinary style. Next, catering caught his interest, due to the endless variety of dishes served and event locations. This led Brian to purchase a small catering company in Albuquerque, in 1999. His skills were served up at a wide range of events, including small intimate private gatherings, corporate, weddings, and film and specializing in backstage catering at major concert venues. The company grew, and Brian sold it to a competitor in 2005.

He continued to cook in New Mexico, Washington DC, Arizona and Colorado. Recent experience includes cooking for high end hunting camps in remote locations using Dutch ovens in open fires and most recently being the ranch chef at Colorado Trails Dude Ranch.

Sample Menu

  • Appetizers

  • Homemade soups
  • Salad bar

  • Entrées

  • Homemade pizza
  • Burgers and veggie burgers with delicious fixings
  • Grilled beef tenderloin along with homemade breads
  • Salmon, prime rib, chicken dishes

  • Desserts

  • Cheesecake
  • Napoleon puff pastries
  • Ice cream pie

Lowdown

  • Address

    12161 County Road 240
    Durango
    Colorado
    81301
    USA

  • Remote Location

    No

  • Elevation

    7500 ft

  • Private Land

    250-1000 acres

  • Public Land

    1000-5000 acres

Nearest Town - Durango

Durango is situated 12 miles / 15 mins from the Ranch.

Ranch shuttle

Yes, free if landing in Durango

Nearest Airports

Durango, Durango

Distance

12 miles / 15 mins

Airlines

United Express, American Airlines

Ranch shuttle

Yes, free if landing in Durango

Lowdown

  • Type of Riding

    Western Riding

  • Riding opportunities for

    Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced

  • Most riders are

    Beginner

  • Rides are grouped by

    Age, Ability, Rides tailored to guest requests

  • Max riders per ride

    6

  • Wranglers per ride

    1

  • Pace of ride

    Walk, Trot, Lope

  • Guest Horses

    84

  • Horse Types

    Quarterhorse, Morgan, Appaloosas, Draft, Draft Cross, Paints, Other, Geldings, Mares

  • Hours in the saddle

    Morning - 2 hours
    Afternoon - 2 hours

The Setting

Private Land (250-1000 acres)

We have mountain trails as well as open meadows. We meander through the forest or climb to views.

Public Land (1000-5000 acres)

We border the San Juan National Forest

Our Riding

Scheduled rides

 You’ll be able to enjoy short scenic trail jaunts, half day rides, all day rides and even take part in competitive games in our ‘Corral Capers’ guest rodeo.

Weight limit for riding

225-250 lbs

Riding considerations

no riding experience needed, We recommend a good level of physical fitness, We consider height and athletic ability as well as a guest's weight

Hours in the saddle

You’ll have choices of morning and afternoon rides, or both. The lengths of these adventures can range from half day, chuck wagon lunch, and all day rides. The length ranges from one hour to three hours each ride.

Why our riding stands out

  • You’ll have choices of morning and afternoon rides, or both. The lengths of these adventures can range from half day, chuck wagon lunch, and all day rides.
  • Those looking for an exciting horseback riding vacation can also take part in team penning for a small additional charge.
  • We have easy trails for beginners, and more challenging trails for guests with advanced riding skills.

Sample Riding Itinerary

We start out with a riding orientation (so you can learn how to ride our horses), then a short ride on Monday morning. You have the opportunity to ride morning and afternoon every day with lunch rides on Friday. We also offer a family breakfast ride on Saturday as well as games on horseback Saturday afternoon.

Riding Lessons

Details

lessons come with package

Given by

wrangler

Location

on the trail, in the arena

Arena Work

Type

outdoor arena

Activities

penning, gymkhana

Lowdown

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)

    $400 - $422

  • Nightly Rates (per child)

    $350 - $372

  • Minimum Stay

    3 days

  • Preferred Arrival Day

    Sun

  • Preferred Departure Day

    Sun

  • Style of accommodation

    Ranch rustic

Colorado Trails Ranch can cater for up to 55 guests. See below for details and indicative rates.

Cabin | Longview

Rates (Per Person)

$400

Minimum Stay

3 nights

Description

The Longview Cabin includes a living room and a great porch. This cabin also includes a king-sized bed and bathroom with a tub/shower. 

Rooms

1

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Cabin | Bird House, Lake, Mountain, Durango, Storm Shelter, Fish Pond, The Den, Pueblo, Remuda, The Woodlands

Rates (Per Person)

$422

Minimum Stay

3 nights

Description

All cabins were replaced during 2013 to 2016 with new, larger cabins. Every cabin has a living room and great covered porches. There is a bathroom for every bedroom. The rooms have a variety of bedding from king beds to doubles and bunk beds (some are twin over double bunks). Some cabins are set up with four bedrooms for extended families.

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

fridge, crib, hair dryer, seating area, washer / dryer

Booking Policy

Rates are calculated per person, double occupancy, and are based on full-week ranch vacations spanning from Sunday to Sunday. This rate covers meals, accommodations, on-ranch activities and programs, as well as a staff service charge that frees guests from worrying about tips or gratuities.

Based on availability, partial week reservations are accepted. These reservations must begin on Sundays with a three night minimum. The weekly rate is divided by 7, times the number of nights.

Multiple Family Vacations – Two or more families booking reservations together enjoy a 15% discount from our published season rates for full week stays only.

There is a special of "the third child is free" for full week stays only.

2019 Season Specials cannot be combined with each other – or with our standard discounts. These special discounts are also only applicable to full-week stay reservations.

Deposit: Reservations at Colorado Trails Ranch require a deposit of $500 per person. Groups of 10 or more, we require that full payment be sent 90 days in advance of the reserved stay.

Cancellation: At least 90 days notice for all cancellations is required for the refund of a reservation deposit. While your refund at such a point is guaranteed, there is a $100 per reservation cancellation fee. Groups with ten or more people require that full payment is made 90 days in advance. This payment is non-refundable unless the vacancies are filled.

Credit Cards: We accept American Express, Diner’s Club, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.

Service Charge: The weekly rates include a service charge that is distributed among Colorado Trails Ranch employees. This covers all gratuities for their eager assistance during your stay here, leaving you free to enjoy yourself without worrying about tipping our dude ranch staff.

Included in your stay

meals, activities, ranch shuttle, lodging, gratuity, Riding

Extras

Tax

To cover state and local taxes, a 6.8% tax will be added to your total bill.

Lowdown

  • You can borrow

    Cowboy boots, Riding helmets, Rain coats

  • Communications

    Wireless Internet/Wifi, telephone, free long distance.

  • Cell Networks

    verizon.

Onsite

Shopping

Should you need them, you can also purchase sweatshirts, T-shirts, western hats, and caps at our ranch Trading Post.

Outdoor Activities

Shooting - trap / clays, Hiking, horse riding, fishing, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, power tubing, archery

Water based Activities

outdoor pool, hot tub, whitewater rafting-adventure

Fishing & Wildlife

Half and full-day fishing available

Fishing on offer

fly, river, stocked pond, lake, stream, equipment available, guided inclusive, instruction available

Additional Services

Corporate Retreats

For groups of up to 30.

For building great working relationships, there is nothing quite like the unique outdoor adventures at Colorado Trails Ranch. It is excellent for opening up strong communication between professionals, and enriching positive interactions between partners, management and employees.

During May and September, we welcome company and professional groups. 

We take all the work out of these events – Colorado Trails Ranch takes care of all the details for you.

For more details and to discuss your goals and outdoor adventure activities, please don’t hesitate to call. We’ll help you create the experience that every member of your group will love.

Local Attractions

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge train ride

If you’re interested in adding the train to your vacation, we recommend you do the train ride before or after your stay with us, as you won’t want to miss a full day of ranch activities. Train reservations need to be made in advance at www.DurangoTrain.com.

Distance

13 miles / 30 mins

Guided trip to Mesa Verde National Park

For a small additional fee, we offer a full day guided trip to Mesa Verde National Park which has an extensive array of Ancient Puebloan dwellings and a great museum.

Distance

46 miles / 1 hour

Ranch shuttle

included with trip

Highs

  • They offer dedicated kids and teens programs
  • The layout of the ranch is like a small Western town from the past. The ‘downtown’ area buildings include the Assay Office, Trading Post, Opera House, Blacksmith Shop, Jail, Saloon, and School House – look out for all the quirky touches!
  • While there is always an event scheduled for the evenings, no-one minds if you wish to spend a little quiet time at your cabin.
  • The healthy, wholesome food is a great mix of high-quality gourmet and home-cooked goodness

Lows

  • If you like a post-adventure drink, bear in mind that during the summer, it's a very family-oriented atmosphere, so they don’t sell any alcoholic beverages. You are however welcome to bring your own, or the ranch will pick up for you on Mondays and add the cost to your bill.

Visitor Reviews

Dont just take our word for it, see what visitors like you say...

Top notch from beginning to end

From the minute you get out of your car and check in at the Assay Office, you will be hooked. You are assigned a group of fellow travelers based on your age. The kids are off riding, shooting arrows, or doing the Corral Capers, buying a phosphate at the snack bar, you all see each other for meal times (which are amazing, by the way) and fall sound asleep with a good exhaustion by the end of the day. The scenery from horseback is absolutely stunning, the wranglers are top notch and never have I ever yearned to return to a place so badly! Enjoy a week at Colorado Trails. YOu will be glad you did.

5 stars

You can find more reviews for Colorado Trails Ranch on TripAdvisor