For the best deals on travel insurance, be sure to use the DRA’s preferred provider! Purchase insurance here.

Colorado Trails Ranch

Durango, Colorado

Contact Colorado Trails Ranch

Contact the ranch using this form, or Add to Favorites to contact all your favorited ranches with one message.

  • Hidden

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

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.

Tailored Riding Program

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.

Full-Service Fly-Fishing Program

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.

An Abundance of Activities

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

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.

Beautiful Colorado Mountain Scenery

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

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.

Cozy Cabins

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.

Camaraderie and Lasting Friendships

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.

Guests fly fishing at Colorado Trail Ranch

Activities

  • Archery/Shooting Sports
  • Childrens Programs (6-8)
  • Childrens Programs (9-12)
  • Childrens Programs (13-17)
  • Fishing
  • Golf on Premises or Nearby
  • Hiking
  • Petting Zoo
  • River Rafting
  • Water Sports

Riding

  • Beginner Rides
  • Horsemanship Lessons
  • Advanced/Fast rides
  • Trail Riding Ages 5+

Special Events

  • Adults Only Weeks
  • Family Reunions

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.

ranch dining room with place settings and red and white table cloths

Food Options

  • Ranch/Western

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.

The lodge at Colorado Trail Ranch

  • Airport Shuttle
  • Cabins
  • Fitness Center
  • Game Room
  • Horse Safety Program
  • Hot tub
  • Internet/WiFi
  • Swimming Pool

Details

Check-in/Check-out:

Check-in: 3:00 pm

Check-out: 9:30 am

Length of Stay:

6 nights (June - September)

Cancellation Policy

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.

Map

Colorado Trails Ranch

Durango, Colorado

Nearest Regional Airport

Durango-La Plata County Airport, 18 miles