Proud to offer a full seven-night dude ranch adventure ~ the best value in dude ranching. Elk Mountain Ranch is high and remote in the San Isabel National Forest with off-the-beaten path charm. Adjacent the Browns Canyon National Monument. Unique for spectacular scenery, quality horses, variety of activities & superb menu. Here you will savor hospitality second to none - warm, friendly and sincere.
At Elk Mountain Ranch families are encouraged to spend time together, though we do offer adult weeks in September where up to 20 guests can enjoy the peak of fall colors, with an emphasis of riding and relaxing.
The ranch is a pleasant 2 1/2 hour drive from the Denver Airport. Nearby Buena Vista is home to the largest collection of peaks over 14,000 feet and the "White Water Capital of Colorado."
Week includes horseback riding through unspoiled wilderness, thrilling white water raft trip within minutes of the ranch, trapshooting, marksmanship, archery, trips to Aspen, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and excurson to Browns Canyon Ropes and Adventure Park. Hayride, square-dance and musical entertainment take place in the evenings.
Elk Mountain Ranch is very family-oriented ranch, our supervisors offer fun-filled, well supervised activities for children, ages 3-7. Activites revolve around the "theme of the day," whether this be a cowboy day, Indian day, etc. To learn more about our children's programs visit the "children" tab above.
Good time to go
Every day is a great day at Elk Mountain Ranch.
Children at the Ranch
Great for children aged 3 and over
We are a very family-oriented guest ranch. In concert with our regular ranch activity program we offer a full kids' program for children ages 3-7 years of age. Two children's counselors will offer youngsters a supervised, fun-filled day of activity. Each day includes riding in the arena and activities that revolve around the theme of the day. Cowboy day includes roping, panning for gold, and making sheriff badges. On Tepee Day children will make Indian headbands and necklaces, paint faces, hike to a tepee and hunt for arrowheads. Spend a day at the Mount Princeton Hot Springs pools and enjoy the water slide on Water Day.
Children 8 and older are usually able to participate in our regular ranch activities, but are always welcome to join this program.
The following is a typical schedule for children ages 3 through 7 years. Naturally, activities will be tailored to the interests of the children each week.
Activities
hiking, biking, picnics, outdoor play area, cookouts, petting zoo, supervised swimming, Trip to Mountain Princeton Hot Springs Pools and Water Slide. Hike to tepee for Indian Day - make crafts and hunt for arrowheads. Pan for gold. Learn to rope.
Games
scavenger/treasure hunts, board games, horseshoes, volleyball, badminton, ping pong, pool table
Baby Sitting
From age 0 to 3. Hourly cost $15.
Baby Sitting Provided By
Childrens counselor and ranch host
Environmental & Social Practices
Environment
Practice leave no trace policy upon our National Forests. The ranch recycles and practices water conservation with staff and guests. We try to be good stewards of our lands.
Ranch History
Over 100 years ago the area surrounding the Arkansas Valley was teaming with mining activity. The ranch was the original “mill site” for the Futurity Mine. At this site, the ore was processed from the surrounding mines of Futurity. Today, the Trading Post, an original building from the late 1800’s, still stands as a reminder to the heritage of our mining past.
Your Manager, Paul and Mandy Sullivan
Greetings from the Sullivans! Paul, Mandy, Carson and Drew are excited and grateful for the opportunity to share with you the great outdoors and time-honored ranch life. As a family we have always had a passion for our national parks and submerging ourselves into ranch life. Our dream has come true to be hosts of the beautiful Elk Mountain Ranch nestled among the San Isabel National Forest Colorado.