This superior luxury ranch hidden away in the beautiful secluded Elk River Valley in the Rocky Mountain high country, with hay meadows and mountain vistas, remote yet very accessible. The Vista Verde only has capacity for 40 guests so you are assured of a warm and friendly welcome, along with exceptional service.
With riding being the main focus, there is plenty on offer – including daily morning and afternoon rides and also for those wanting more, there are all day rides with a picnic. Rides are limited to 2-6 riders so that each adventure can be tailored to suit the individuals riding ability. There are plenty of opportunities for more advanced, faster riding and also games that get the horses out of the normal nose to tail style of riding that is common at some guest ranches.
Although primarily a riding ranch, there are a wide range of other activities on offer, including river rafting, fly-fishing, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, steer roping and even hot air ballooning. There truly is something for everyone, including children and teens, which have their own daily programme. Facilities include a fitness centre, games room and ‘Fountain Deck’ - a delightful centre of water fun for children. Massages are also available for those that require additional pampering.
Large log cabins, which are nestled among aspen and pine, are beautifully furnished and well equipped; with woodstoves, baths, comfortable porches overlooking the meadows and forest, each cabin comes with its own outdoor hot tub. Three spacious rooms with splendid views are upstairs in the main lodge, each of these with their own private facilities. Fresh flowers, baskets of snacks and a fridge full of beverages welcome arriving guests.
Award winning chefs prepare three mouth-watering meals per day, which are served either in the inviting lodge, on the sun deck or out on the trail. Home baked breads and pastries are always on offer, as well as home grown vegetables and home made ice cream. Wine and beer are included with the meals and other finer wines are also available to purchase.
Usually during Rodeo season the ranch will take you to Steamboats Springs to catch the Friday night rodeo and do a bit of shopping.
The ranch operates all year round with various activities available in the other seasons..

Elk Mountain Ranch is the highest of all Colorado's guest ranches, at an elevation of 9,600 feet, with breathtaking views overlooking the Arkansas Valley and the snow-capped Collegiate Peaks. Completely surrounded by the beautiful San Isabel National Forest, the ranch is a nature lover's paradise; with deer, elk, antelope and wildflowers in abundance. The lodge is nestled among aspen and evergreen on Little Bull Creek.
With horseback riding being the main emphasis, the high, remote location offers miles of daily trails through aspen forests and open parks. The ranch has an excellent string of horses, which are matched to the rider's ability, offering an opportunity to bond with your very own horse for the length of your stay. Rides are kept small in size and are all accompanied by a competent and caring wrangler. Ride options include lunch on the trail, a champagne brunch ride and an overnight pack trip for the more adventurous.
Families are very important to the ranch owners and are encouraged to enjoy their time together whilst at the ranch. An excellent children's programme is offered for the 7's and under, including riding in the arena, hiking, fishing, arts and crafts and caring for the petting zoo animals.
Apart from riding, there are numerous other activities to get involved in, such as hiking and exploring, trap and target shooting, fishing, archery, horseshoes, volleyball, badminton and mountain biking. Weekly scenic trips to Aspen, or white water rafting on the Arkansas River, through the heart of Brown's Canyon can also be arranged.
The limited capacity of only 30 guests at a time enables the ranch owners to tailor not only the rides, but also the other activities to meet the needs of the guests.
Accommodations are either in the log cottages, sleeping 4-6 people or guest rooms in the Pioneer Lodge, all carpeted and tastefully furnished with private facilities and daily housekeeping service. 
Meal times at the ranch are a highlight, with superb and varied full-course meals to delight both hearty and discerning appetites. Trail ride cookouts, steak fry, country candlelight supper and fabulous desserts, as well as children's items are all on offer. You can relax on the lodge deck before dinner and enjoy the daily appetizers. Coffee, teas, cocoa, fresh fruit and a bottomless cookie jar are always available. Special diets and special occasions are happily accommodated.
In the evenings you could try square dancing, maybe listen to cowboy poetry and music or simply relax and watch the amazing sunsets.

Priding themselves on being a first class guest ranch, staff and family at Colorado Trails go the extra mile to make your vacation exceed expectations. Nestled in South Western Colorado amongst the San Juan National Forest, there are acres of breathtaking scenery; stunning surroundings and the magnificent vistas are just the beginning.
Accommodations are very comfortable and well decorated and all have private baths, comfy porches and daily housekeeping. The main lodge is where guests enjoy meals of high quality food that is upscale enough for adults, but also appealing to kids. There are usually two breakfast cookouts and two dinner cookouts a week, with the option of also taking a packed lunch, should you not be there to enjoy a meal at the main lodge.
Riding at the ranch is suited to all levels of rider experience, the beginners will benefit from their extensive and progressive instruction program whereas experienced riders can enjoy the longer more challenging rides including cattle drives. Morning and afternoon half-day rides are offered, as are all day lunch rides and family breakfast rides. As the scenery is varied, rides can be anywhere from walks along mountain creeks to loping through Ponderosa Pines and wide open meadows.
Part of the ranch, known as ‘western town’ even looks like what you’d expect to find of a local town from long ago and includes a trading post, fly fishing center, Soda Fountain, Opera House where evening entertainment takes place and the Ruckus Room- a great gathering place for kids. Also available are a heated swimming pool, petting zoo, hot tub, rifle range, basketball and volleyball court. The ranch offers an extensive kid’s programme for those aged 5-17 years, divided into three age groups allowing them to make the most of the fun activities available.

Among the tall pines of the 40,000-acre Pike National Forest, aptly named Lost Valley has been known for guest ranching for 100 years, more recently under the guidance of two generations of the Foster family. Its most treasured recommendation came from Walt Disney. He enjoyed his stay so much, he counselled the owners to do nothing to change its character. They took this good advice and with a dedicated staff, bring visitors back to the ranch again and again. 24 cabin suites of one to three bedrooms are well spaced among the trees for quietness and privacy. Each has a pleasant living room with a fireplace, a private bath and a covered porch. There are no TVs or telephones but a daily maid service keeps your cabin neat and tidy and well supplied with oversized towels. The Foster family and their staff take their meals with the guests to ensure the quality of huge ranch-style breakfasts, roast beef dinners, fresh salads, home made bread and desserts, and special diets are catered for. Learning to be a better rider is an encouragement to guests and there are no less than 150 horses on which to develop riding skills. Lost Valley is an all-year-round ranch and working with the herd is part of the programme, with round-ups in the spring and autumn. Children have their own programme supervised by a fully trained staff, while teenagers find friends among college-age counsellors. Go local fishing in Goose Creek, which runs through the ranch grounds, or take a 20-minute drive to the famous Cheasman Canyon on the South Platte River. Hiking, tennis on two on-site courts and trap shooting are energetic alternatives - or you can take a leisurely swim in the heated outdoor pool. In the evenings the talented staff entertain with music, melodramas and campfire sing-alongs.

This real authentic working cattle ranch was established in 1896 and is located on the Western Colorado and Wyoming border, in a section of the Northern Rocky Mountains called the Sierra Madres. It is situated in the upper end of the Little Snake River Valley, a valley very familiar to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
The horseback riding is planned around the cattle work and regular pasture rotations. The 1300 head of yearling cattle arrive early May and are moved about 25 times to new grass before being shipped at the end of the season. Guests enjoy riding for a purpose in the wide open spaces, moving cattle cross country. Time is spent to instruct even the beginner and they can cater for all levels of ability. It is certainly not nose to tail trail riding.
Other than horseback riding the ranch offers trout fishing on 2 miles of the Little Snake River, hot tub, mountain biking, hiking, skeet shooting and scenic day trips. Other activities such as golf, tubing, hot air ballooning, and rodeos are available off the ranch.
The 4000 square Ranch House was newly built in 2003. Downstairs is open and spacious with a living room, complete with fireplace on one side and the dining area on the other. The Ranch House is open at all times and there is coffee and hot water for tea and cocoa. The Ranch House has 3 spacious guest rooms offering views of the Little Snake River and mountains. All rooms have hardwood floors, pine walls and tiled bathrooms; beds are either queen or twin. There are 3 Guest Cabins close to the Ranch House and 2 self-contained suite units with living room, bedrooms, kitchen and bathrooms adjacent to the House.
Meals are home cooked and wholesome, served buffet style and with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables on offer.

This year round working guest and cattle ranch offers a real taste of the west, located deep in the Rockies between Vail and Steamboat Springs and only a couple of hours from Denver.
From novice to expert rider you can experience the wonderful scenery that is so typical of the area that surrounds the ranch. The ranch will match the horse, the ride and the group to the rider’s ability before setting off on the extensive trails system that extends deep into the Routh National Forest. It’s your choice whether you stay on the trails, explore cross-country or even ride in the arena practicing your new found western skills.
There is usually a full day of cattle work moving the herd of Texas longhorns to new pastures, maybe even some doctoring and branding. For the more adventurous, overnight pack trips are on offer during the week. Guests will also enjoy the ‘Gymkhana’ rodeo held at the end of the week, along with lots of fun and games.
The excellent accommodations are either in two or three bedroom cabins or lodge rooms all with their own private facilities and many with their own porches.
Sooth away the saddle sores in the heated outdoor swimming pool or hot tub before visiting the saloon. The Saloon is fully licensed and is a great place to gather after a ride or for an evening of entertainment and story swapping. The meals vary from cookouts in the wilderness to gourmet in the lodge. Chef will tempt you with hearty breakfasts, warm cookies, refreshing lunches, tasty appetizers, and a choice of entrees along with complimentary wine at dinner.
In addition to this many other activities are available, including white-water rafting, fishing, trap shooting, archery, pool and hiking. The ranch has an excellent children’s programme and also there is usually a chance to visit a local rodeo.

Established in 1985, North Fork Ranch rests quietly along one-half mile of the tranquil North Fork of the South Platte River. The ranch sits at an elevation of 8100 ft. and adjoins the Pike National Forest, Lost Creek Wilderness and Mt. Evans Wilderness.
This excellent ranch offers a wide variety of unique lodges and cabins so there is truly something to suit every style. Lodging options include everything from one bedroom suites to three bedroom family units with cathedral ceilings, sitting areas, and stone fireplaces. All of the suites and cabins include private baths and cosy pillow-top beds in king, queen and twin size configurations.
The ranch includes a full host of activities for everyone in the family, including horseback riding, shooting, hiking, world class fishing, white-water rafting, and plenty of activities for the little ones.  In addition to the scheduled activities you are encouraged to relax and enjoy the beautiful Colorado scenery from the heated outdoor pool, or revive your sore muscles with a professional massage or a soak in the hot tub.
The ranch takes great pride in feeding you well! Exceptional family dining with gourmet flair is sure to satisfy every appetite. Full, hearty breakfasts, unique lunches, and dinners, including a champagne brunch.
Your day is not complete when the sun goes down, enjoy evening activities or just relax and take in the night sky and clear air.