Top Colorado Dude Ranches

A star set apart from the "roughing it" ranches of the whimsical Old West, Vista Verde Ranch sets a superior standard.

Adventure-seekers are bound for bliss at this all-inclusive ranch resort just outside the misty mountain tops of Steamboat Springs. A Four Diamond Award weighs on its belt; and it's well worth its brass. The Vista Verde Ranch expertly melds "ranchy and fancy," winning your heart with a hearty taste of the Old West. Discover a tasteful combination of luxury resort and adventure ranch, filled to the gills with all-season activity that will transform you into one contented cowboy!

Though the dude ranch name hails to horseback riding, there's more to this all-inclusive dude ranch resort than just its brass tacks!

Reach for the reins and take hold of your own vacation at a Colorado classic: Colorado Trails Ranch. Meander through the mountains on your new four-hoofed friend or find your own fun white water rafting the Animas River, hiking the forests, trap shooting, or try your hand at some old-fashioned archery. Quilted comforts await you within the walls of your cozy guest cabin, while mouth-watering meals will keep you full and having fun!

Try on a new tradition and sample the extraordinary at C Lazy U Ranch, a true relic of the Old American West.

Enter a fresh greenhorn and leave an expert wrangler at the C Lazy U Ranch, a special place steeped in tradition and worn with pride. Leading a legacy of horsemanship and preservation, at C Lazy U Ranch, horses are the heartbeat. Refine your skills together with a horse program and a family-friendly "shodeo," or relax in the ambiance of the Old West at Lazy You Spa on Willow Creek. Boredom is a bygone when rich ranch activities include a whole host of all-season adventures!

A postcard-perfect American frontier frames Lane Guest Ranch.

Set into the majesty of the Rocky Mountain range, Lane Guest Ranch is your mountain pass. Where wild rivers, elk, and deer run free you'll find your own brand of freedom. Take a class in horseback riding, whitewater rafting, jewelry making, or fishing and the Lane Guest Ranch chef will cook your catch! Picture yourself here, past the perfectly "painted" edges of Rocky Mountain ridges, at Lane Guest Ranch.

When it comes to true dude ranch get-aways, Music Meadows Ranch is simply the creme of the crop!

Music Meadows Ranch's guest house is flanked by their 4,000-acre working cattle ranch- it's pretty easy to feel like a cowboy here! Whether you're a green-kneed rookie or a savvy riding veteran, the friendly staff of Music Meadows will assist you in selecting an appropriate horse and then hitting the trail! Surrounded by a beautiful high mountain valley, the 9,000ft elevation makes for both stunning vistas and spectacular wildlife. Music Meadows Ranch is calling your name!

Reach storybook romance past Idyllic Hahn's Peak at The Home Ranch.

All season adventure comes in many colors at this all-inclusive luxury dude ranch set amid the timeless beauty of the Elk River Valley. Try Nordic skiing, sample succulent salmon cuisine, or a dip in your rustic cabin hot tub by twinkle light. Trail travelers dream of the million acre Rocky Mountain wilderness at your doorstep in The Home Ranch. Leave your boots or your showshoes at the door of your lincoln-log cabin in The Home Ranch, where refined Western elegance revives the Old West appeal.

Seek high adventure home at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in the Big Thompson River Valley.

Ranch and cattle are at the center of western lifestyle, but Western hospitality rules the day. Answer the breakfast bell, discover the magic of fluffy pancake perfection, and sink into authentic Western living at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch. Outdoor adventure at Sylvan Dale keeps up the classics like overnight pack trips to Cow Camp and Western Horsemanship lessons, but adds in some new-fangled fun like fly fishing adventures, mountain hiking, horseshoes, and hot tubs.

The historic M Lazy C Ranch in Lake George, Colorado provides all you need to have a perfect old fashion ranching adventure!

At M Lazy C Ranch, you can choose from a rustic mountain cabin, an RV site, or a primitive campsite. You can also enjoy several guided activities, including trail rides, guided shooting ranges, and archery. The ranch provides a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking Pike National Forest to snowshoeing to horseback riding. Their horseback rides, which takes guests through the beautiful mountains, ponderosa pines, and aspen groves, are offered year-round and are perfect for any age.

Ponderosa Pine towers crown the Western beauty of the San Juan Mountains: Circle K Guest Ranch and Hunting Outfitter.

Circle K Guest Ranch is a dude ranch delight with a twist: a tailor-made vacation to suit your style and your budget, and set your sights to "stun"! Creature comforts range from comfortable cabins to bunkhouses to suit any individual adventurer. Pull up those boots for a horseback pack trip, fly fishing venture, and elk, mule deer, or black bear hunt. For those bound to stay right in the ranch, tour the mountain by cable slide, river tube, ropes obstacle course, or of course by horseback!

Come to Latigo Ranch, where a cowboy lifestyle meets superb luxury!

The Latigo experience begins and ends with family. Whether they're experienced riders or trail rookies, the onsite experts will facilitate an unforgettable experience, as they have done for 89 years. Hit the trail and see what all the fuss is about! The Rockies make for a stupendous backdrop any time of year, and they're all the more magnificent when observed on horseback. Meanwhile, accommodations are cozy and the hospitality always warm. What more could you possibly want?

Join the Lost Valley legacy and become a Western frontier pioneer at Lost Valley Ranch.

Quality is king in this luxury backcountry Colorado classic. Taste the tradition at American and Continental home cookin' classics. Just like your everything else here, it's custom and cooked-to-order! Pair up with a four-hoofed friend that fits your skill level and your personality. Lost Valley Ranch tries their "darndest" to tailor your trip with all the custom cowboy comforts! With guest ranch cabins fit to accommodate a cattle baron, you'll be one jolly rancher at Lost Valley Ranch!

Peaceful seclusion in the heart of the Rockies at a totally affordable price! Elk Mountain Ranch's natural beauty makes it an ideal ranch!

A stay at The Elk Mountain Dude Ranch is a one-week adventure encompassing the absolute best that Colorado has to offer. Families, couples, singles and small groups will all find something (or everything) to love here. Days at the ranch are filled with horseback riding, white water rafting, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and other activities set against a backdrop of unending vistas. Of course, the spacious yet cozy cabins provide a home away from home!

Whether you're cowboy, fisherman, or a little of both, you'll find a whole lot to love at Rawah Ranch!

Let Rawah Ranch take care of the little things; you're here to live the cowboy lifestyle! Rawah's verdant backdrop and experienced guides will show you around should you require guidance, then get out and explore to your heart's content! Mountain passes, alpine meadows, and scenic vistas are plentiful here- you need only seek them out. The Ranch's comfort gourmet cuisine, luxurious cabin accommodations, and boundless hospitality are simply bonuses!