Dude Ranches
When it comes to thinking about Colorado, the mind can easily wander to days of the old west when cattle ranching and wrangling was the norm. If you want to experience a little bit of that nostalgia yourself when visiting the state you might want to start investigating some options now so you’ll be ready to ride in the spring thaw. Many ranches offer an all-inclusive vacation that includes civilized delights such as wine cellars, delicious meals and relaxing massage treatments in addition to the authentic experience. Some ranches are open year round (like the Sylvan Dale ranch) since the 3200-acre ranch offers winter activities that include horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and more. But others like the Vista Verde Guest Ranch don’t open until early June (partially due to its elevation of 7800 feet). There are tons of options to choose from running through the alphabet and ending with the Zapata Ranch located on 103,000 acres where guests can ride and learn about the ranch’s 2500 head of bison. If you’re interested in learning more about where your wrangling vacation might be spent we suggest you contact the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association at 1.866.942.3472. Saddle up!