The
Lodge at Sylvan Dale Ranch, Loveland Colorado
When
most people think of guest or dude ranches, they
automatically think of the Old West ranches in the
Southwest.
But
Colorado has a little secret. Nestled in river valleys,
and on mountain meadows in the Rocky Mountains, are some
of the best and reasonably-priced guest ranches in
America. These ranches offer riding, of course, but they
also give visitors a chance to engage in much more
diverse outdoor activity, including hiking, fishing,
rafting down mountain rivers, and visiting nearby
national parks and forests. And many offer all these
activities, plus food and accommodations for an
all-inclusive price.
More
than 60 ranches are located in the most scenic areas of
the Rockies, offering exciting family vacations. Having
recently visited the Rockies, in the Fort
Collins
and Estes
Park
areas, (they're close together), I came away impressed
with the friendly ranches, and the wealth of activities
available.
Estes
Park is the resort town adjacent to Rocky Mountain
National Park, Colorado's top tourist attraction. Fort
Collins lies just east of the Front Range of the Rockies
-- just 40-minutes' drive from the national park, and an
hour's drive north of Denver.
Here
are just three of the dude and guest ranches ("dude" is
not a bad word in Colorado), and they provide a wide
range of vacation activities, as well as accommodations
ranging from rustic-but-comfortable to deluxe, with
everything in-between.
Sylvan
Dale Guest Ranch
Set
beside the Big Thompson River, in the foothills of the
Rockies near Loveland, and only a short drive from
Boulder,
Sylvan Dale offers family vacations year-round, with
summer months devoted to seven-day, six-night Dude Ranch
Vacations, with planned activities for all family
members. The 1998 season begins June 21st, and ends on
August 29th, with the final week in August for adults
only. The trailriding package offerss daily instruction
and rides, an overnight pack trip, breakfast ride, and a
gymkhana at the end of the week. Visitors also have the
option of "ala-carte riding, with ranch wranglers
saddling the horses and guiding the way on many miles of
foothill trails.
This
is also a fine place for bird watching, swimming in the
heated pool, playing tennis, fishing in ponds, lakes, and
rivers, and taking hay rides. A new whirlpool hot tub
will be installed for May '98.
At
other times of the year (including summer Saturday
nights), the ranch is open for its "Bunk" and Breakfast
program. Visitors stay in comfortable lodge rooms and
cabins, all with private baths. Accommodations range from
one- to three-bedroom units. Hearty ranch breakfasts are
served.
The
other option is to stay in the ranch's guest houses,
which are equipped with full kitchens. Breakfast is not
included in the guest house rates. These are large units,
holding from 8 to 12 guests.
The
ranch is situated in a scenic river valley, only ten
minutes from Loveland, and 15 minutes from Fort Collins.
Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park are located
30 minutes to the west. It's an exceptionally friendly
place, with fine staff and a large dining room
overlooking the Big Thompson. The ranch is a favorite
location for weddings and other ceremonial occasions, and
has been operated by the Jessup family since the ranch
was opened to the public in 1946. Susan Jessup is the
current manager.
Summer
weekly rates per person are $1,063, or $838 without the
riding package. Children -- 1 to 4 years -- stay for
$481, and children 5 to 12 years stay for $669.
"Bunk"
and Breakfast rates range from $75 for 2 in a lodge room,
to $185 for up to six people in a three-bedroom loft
unit. The Big Thompson Suite, in thenoriginal lodge, runs
$175 per night for up to four occupants.
For
more information, go to the Sylvan
Dale Home Page,
or call (970) 667-3915
Aspen
Lodge of Estes Park
Situated
seven miles from downtown Ested Park, on 80 acres, the
lodge provides incredible views of the Rocky Mountain
peaks, including Long's Peak which is the tallest
mountain in nearby Rocky
Mountain National
Park.
The lodge also leases a 3,000 acre ranch which borders
the park and Roosevelt National Forest. Riders are given
the opportunity to ride on more than 33,000 acres.
Estes
Park is located an hour's drive west from Fort Collins,
and 90 minutes from Denver
via the Peak to Peak Byway Highway (State Route 72),
which connects Estes Park with Interstate 70 (near
Central City and Blackhawk).
The
lodge is the largest log building in Colorado, and offers
a superior level of accommodation. Cabins are also
available. The operation is open year round, with winter
activities including sleigh rides, snowshoeing,
cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and
hockey. Summer brings haywagon rides, a childrens
activity program, fishing, and hiking, as well as riding
and enjoying cowboy suppers. Evenings are taken up with
country and western dancing, square dancing, and live
entertainment. Meals range from traditional western
dishes to Continental cuisine. The lodge's sports center
provides facilities for tennis, volleyball, horseshoes,
and raquetball, plus a sauna, weight room, ourtdoor hot
tub, and an outdoor heated swimming pool. Riding is
available year-round.
Guided
hikes are offered, and mountain biking has become a
favorite summer activity. The lodge has a special
Christmas program, running from December 24 to 27. The
package includes a lodge room or one-room cabin, three
meals per night of lodging (including a Continental
bfeakfast, buffet and dinner on Christmas Day. A sleigh
ride or hayride is included per 2-night stay, and
stocking are hung on the fireplace mantle for guests age
12 and under. The package is $185 per night for two
people, with children 4 and under staying free.
The
major attraction of Aspen Lodge is its close proximity to
the national park, and together they offer an
unforgettable experience. Rates vary, with riding
activity charged by the hour
For
more information, go to the Aspen
Lodge Home website,
or call 800-332-6867. The lodge is located at 6120
Highway 7.
Sky
Corral Ranch
You'll
find this smaller guest ranch 23 northwest of Fort
Collins, in a secluded mountain meadow about ten miles
from the wild and scenic Cache la Poudre River. Karen and
Justin O'Connor have just taken over the ranch, and are
planning an activity-filled summer season, with the ranch
opening for visitors from May 15 through December 31,
1998.
Summer
activities will include nature walks, trail riding
(including an overnight trail ride), riding instruction,
fishing (in the stocked pond or at the river), swimming,
and a special kids' program available for the younger
members of the family, including rides on the O'Connors'
new pony. Guided rafting trips are available. Ranch
facilities include tennis and volleyball courts, swimming
pool, hot tub, and sauna.
The
7-day rate for adults is $1,085, with reduced costs for
children. Kids under two years stay free, as does your
nanny if she (or he) is brought along to take care of the
kids.
You
won't feel hurried here, for the ranch is a smaller
operation than most, and very relaxed. Visitors choose
what activities they wish to pursue. For more
information, call the O'Connors, (970) 484-1362. The
ranch is at 8233 Old Flowers Road, near Bellevue.
For
a long list of guest ranches in the state, contact the
Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association -- to which
these three ranches belong -- at P.O. Box 300,
Tabernash, CO 80478, (970) 887-3128, or
visit
their Web site.
