Nearest Regional Airport
Durango-La Plata County Airport, 18 miles
Nearest International Airport
Albuquerque International Sunport, 218 miles
Elevation
7500 Feet
Open
June - October
Guest Capacity
50
Family fun abounds at Colorado Trails Ranch located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains just outside of historic Durango, Colorado. With its comprehensive Western riding and children’s programs plus some of the best fly-fishing in Colorado, the ranch offers and array of activities for the entire family. The vacation is perfect for singles and couples as well.
You’ll find that we tailor our riding program to accommodate all ability levels. If you’re a new rider, we’ll teach you the basics; if you’re an experienced rider, you will appreciate the quality of our horses and the opportunity to do more than just “nose-to-tail” trail rides. We offer morning, afternoon, lunch rides, and an all-day ride with no more than six guests to a wrangler. We group our rides by ability (and desire). The rides range from scenic walk rides to loping through trees and meadows. Instruction is an integral part of our program. we also offer team penning and steer soccer for a small additional charge. Please note that we do have a weight limit of 240 pounds for riders.
We offer a full-service fly-fishing program with over two miles of private water on the Florida River, special guided trips on the San Juan River, and stocked fishing on ranch ponds. Our guides provide professional services for novice and expert fishermen, and we provide all of the essential supplies and equipment our guests will need. We can set up a fishing excursion into the high country with small mountain streams and a little more challenging fishing experience as well.
In addition to horses and fishing, guests can enjoy our heated pool and hot tub, exciting river rafting in the Animas River, guided hikes, trap shooting and riflery, archery, horseshoes, volleyball and basketball. We offer an optional guided trip to Mesa Verde National Park (at an additional charge). You can also enjoy an evening at a professional rodeo most weeks (small additional charge), western dancing, a hayride, and an ice cream social.
Our children’s program divides kids aged 5 through 17 into three groups, each with their own counselor and plenty of activities. The program is geared around what the children want to do and their abilities, keeping it age specific. In addition to many of the above mentioned activities, the two older kid’s groups have a chance to do some power tubing at nearby, beautiful Vallecito Lake. You can be assured that your children will experience new, fun and safe activities and, more importantly, form lasting friendships with the other kids they meet at the ranch. Childcare is available upon request at an additional charge.
Of course, you can also enjoy the peacefulness of our beautiful Colorado mountain scenery and just relax. Or, if all the activity we offer isn’t quite enough, we have a well-equipped exercise room available any time day or night.
Mealtime is special at Colorado Trails Ranch, whether guests are enjoying themselves in our magnificent dining room or on a cookout under unbeatable Colorado skies. Guests savor home cooking with choice meats, fish and poultry grilled over an open fire or baked to perfection, garden crisp vegetables and salads, plus fresh baked breads and desserts. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate most special diets. Give your diet a vacation too, and indulge. The mountain air and all the activity will certainly stimulate your appetite.
Our cozy cabins feature comfortable beds and beautiful decor. Since 2013, we have replaced nearly all our cabins with new, larger cabins with living rooms, larger bedrooms and bathrooms as well as great covered porches. We have finished the replacements in 2016. Every room has its own private bath. Our cabins will easily accommodate families, couples, and singles with an array of options available with peaceful views and total comfort.
The best part about vacationing at our dude ranch is the camaraderie and the lasting friendships formed with the other guests for both children and adults. This is priceless. And the time spent with your own family creates memories to last a lifetime.
Our horseback riding caters to all levels. We offer instruction for beginning to advanced riders. Rides are grouped by ability and type of ride desired with 6 or less riders to a guide. Our fly-fishing program is also for everyone with over two miles of private river nearby plus several stocked ponds. We offer riflery, archery, trap shooting, full children/teen’s programs for three separate age groups, each with their own counselor, plus hiking, swimming, rafting, relaxing and evening programs.
Activities
Riding
Special Events
We offer genuine home-style cooking with an emphasis on great taste. The breakfast buffet always has cereals, breads, fresh fruit & yogurt plus a hot specialty. Lunch includes grilled hamburgers, homemade pizza, and the like plus a full salad bar. Dinners are family-style, well-rounded meals. Breads and desserts are all homemade. Favorites are our breakfast ride in the woods and two evening cookouts. With advance notice, we can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, and other special requests.
Food Options
All of our accommodations are cabins nestled in the woods, but not far from all the action. Accommodations range from one room with a king bed and living room to four rooms with king beds or doubles and bunks and living rooms. In 2016 we finished replacing all of our cabins with larger cabins with living rooms, larger bedrooms and baths, and covered porches. Every bedroom has a bathroom with a tub/shower or a tiled stall shower.
Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 9:30 am
6 nights (June - September)
Full refund of $500 per person deposit (less a $100 reservation fee per reservation) if cancellation received 90 days prior to the date of arrival. Deposit is forfeited if cancellation is less than 90 days out unless we are able to fill the vacancy. If we fill all or part of the vacancy, then the deposit will be refunded, equal to the number with which the vacancy is filled. We do recommend buying travel insurance through Travel Guard for your trip.
Colorado Trails Ranch
Durango, Colorado
Nearest Regional Airport
Durango-La Plata County Airport, 18 miles