Surrounded by two million acres of scenic National Forest in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, commonly referred to as "The Switzerland of America." You can take a different trail every day to enjoy the breathtaking countryside. Horseriding, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fly fishing, archery, gold panning, team penning, playing horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, ping-pong and enjoying the great outdoors.

The hand-picked Wranglers - who can cowboy with the best of them - will carefully choose the perfect horse for each rider. All ages and skill levels of riders will find fun, relaxation, and challenge. Its also a magical place for children. The natural setting invites children to explore their own independence. During the summertime, dedicated Wranglers look after the kids, allowing plenty of time for their parents to relax. It is a great vacation destination for grown-ups as well. Adults have found that Lake Mancos Ranch offers just enough modern amenities mixed with a variety of enjoyable activities to give you the peaceful vacation you are looking for. The accommodation is set amongst pine trees - you will sleep peacefully in a spacious cabin with its own living room, shady porch and daily maid service. Adults appreciate king-sized beds in the master bedroom, or, for the more adventurous, spending the night in the Indian Village in one of the authentic tipis. There are also a number of rooms in the Lodge. Other great activities include a white water rafting trip, a soak the large hot tub and heated swimming pool or a steam in the sauna. To fuel all this fun, gather for delicious meals and great conversation in the Western-style lodge. Evenings are spent by the campfire with family and new friends, stargazing with a new state-of-the-art telescope or enjoying classic Western movie night. Nearby is the Mesa Verde National Park and the Durango to Silverton Steam Railway. Transfers are included from either Durango or Cortez.

Altitude

Very highly recommended - suitable for all levels of rider, high standard of cabins, excellent for families, home cooked high standard of meals. High number of repeat customers. BYOB for consumption in cabin only.  This is one of our most popular Colorado ranches for good riders, includes all day rides, breakfast rides, rodeos and gymkanas at the end of the week.   The riding programme and teenage counsellors are quite exceptional making it a perfect holiday destination in July/Aug for those families looking  for a well structured week in an isolated location. Ranch closed  one week in 19-24 May 08 and end of Aug 25-30 2008.  21-28 Sept 2008 Cattle drive £984.00 pp incl accommodation, meals, riding, tax and service

Set at 7800 ft, this ranch is surrounded by the San Juan National Forest, a stunning wilderness area. Here they border the magnificent Piedra Wilderness Study Area, which includes an abundance of wildlife, crystal clear streams, open meadows, high mountain vistas and vast mountain forests covering thousands of acres.  The well-appointed, rustic cabins and suites are nestled amongst pines, spruce and aspen trees. You are just 35 miles from Durango with it’s famous steam train trip up to Silverton. A broad menu each week features made to order breakfasts, varied lunch specials always with plenty of fruits and salads and of course, exceptional gourmet dinners ranging from cowboy steak & fish cookouts to succulent Prime Rib, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean specialties. The ranch offers a myriad of activities including: horseback riding (with instructions), hiking, fishing, water skiing, dance lessons, hay ride, campfire sing-along, live music and dancing and much more. Mesa Verde tours, river rafting and massages are an additional cost. Half and all day scenic mountain and valley trail rides, trout fishing rides, cattle work on the ranch, a natural horsemanship clinic run by the daughter Erica, arena work, a gymkhana and private lessons.

The ranch breeds and trains Morgan horses. Excellent  youth and kiddies programme, includes very thrilling water-skiing and tubing on the nearby lake not to be missed, excellent food, exceptionally friendly ranch offering a relaxed atmosphere, evening bar, line dancing, bbques.  Open May to October. Sunday to Saturday.  Alternative activities :  Hiking trails, Durango Silverton Railway, Water skiing at nearby lake, pool, hot tub and climbing frame for younger children,

Colorado Springs

Popular ranch located in the central Rocky Mountains in Park County, views are spectacular with an abundance of aspen, ponderosa pine and vegetation generally lush with wildflowers along the river with plentiful wildlife.  Suitable for all levels of riding, overnight pack trips can be arranged. Dedicated to detail and hospitality, home cooked food.   Accommodation - 2 family, 1 duplex cabin & 4x2 bedroom suites.  This is a family run ranch and recommended for younger families.

Extras - white water rafting nearby (extra charge). Tour of Cripple Creek Gold Mines, train ride, visit Casino, visit Pike's Peak.

 31 Aug- 27 Sept 2008 ADULTS ONLY

Secluded and sophisticated luxury guest ranch covering 500 acres of forest, meadow and pasture.  Varied and flexible programme, Supervised Children's & Teens programme. Cattle drives.  Suitable for all levels of riding. Quiet mountain log cabins some with hot tubs 1,2 or 3 bedrooms, or deluxe rooms at the lodge. Singles, couples, groups and families all welcome. 

Hiking, Spa, 4x4 , Mountain Biking,  Fishing, Tennis, River rafting, kayaking,  nightly entertainment.  Nearby Rodeo, hot springs. Optional extras available : Hot Air Ballooning, Fly Fishing, Rock Climbing, Golf, Massages

In depth personalised instruction and guided backcountry tours from certified staff, use of all ranch-groomed ski trails and telemark hills and the adjoining national forest, snow shoeing, sleigh rides, horseback riding, ski-in lunches, fun on skis events, evening entertainment and sledding, snow games and special adventures for kids are included in your stay.  Holidays include special Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve  festivities.  Enquire for packages which includes skiing at nearby Steamboat Springs.   Five day winter package 6-19 Jan 2008 £894 pp plus service

Heated pool, Line dancing, volley ball, kids playground, billiards,  Fishing, Tours available, skeet range. Extra - river rafting Class I & II rapids

Very much a  family orientated ranch offering 4 spacious suites in the lodge with 2-3 bedrooms or log cabins which sleep 1-6 guests.. Riders of all levels welcome. Excellent kids programme 3-5 & 6-12 year old age groups..   Splendid home cooked family style meals, or enjoy a candlelight evening while the kids have their own cookout. Enquire for cattle drive dates for experienced riders.

This ranch adjoins National Forests and Wilderness areas in the hearty rockies with unbelievable scenery.   Rooms available in the  Lodge or cabins which are located nearby the river. .Suitable for all levels of riding plus all day adventure ride.  Good home style food. Excellent for children.   3 - 5 night packages available prices start from £231 pp per nigh all incl

Located within the White River National Forest, surrounded by 2.3 million acre National Forest.  6 Very rustic cabins which have sitting area, bathroom and shower plus deck.  5 have fireplace, 2 cabins with single room, 3 cabins with 2 bedrooms and 1 cabins with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  The cabins comfortably sleep from 2 to up to 8 people and all have space for a rollaway bed as well.  All meals prepared and served in main lodge which can seat 30 people.    Reservations for white water rafting are made on Sunday nights.  Fly fishing and rounds of golf also have to be prebooked.   Horse rest day Sat thru Sunday.   Rides available in morning and afternoon plus one all day.  Family rides will be held or children's groups of 6-9, 10-14 but based on riding skills and wranglers discretion.  BYOB.  Sept 2008 Ladies only week to enjoy the mountains and friendship, plus from 23 Aug 2008 Adults only 6 day program with a focus on riding plus ask for dates on Horsemanship 101 - 5 day program that combines riding with hands on sessions to learn basic western horsemanship.  Fly to Denver and catch an add on flight, drive or alternative enjoy a 6 hour train trip through the mountains if you prefer not to drive.  40 minutes from town.  Suitable for nature lovers who like isolated scenic locations.  Good horses and mountainous terrain with wildlife.  Boating, Fishing, Kayaking on lake plus volleyball.  Call 01798 865946 for more info.

Fishing, golf extra charge, mountain bikes extra charge, river rafting extra charge.  New for 2008 workshops  : 2008 Special Weeks at the Ranch.  Birding Workshop with Dee Bolton ….week of May 25th.   Yoga & Horseback RidingWeek (adults only)…with Mariah Betts….week of June 8th. Fly Fishing Clinic with Cliff Watts …..week of July 6th. Plein Air Painting Workshop with David Haskell….week of August  24th. Photography Workshop (adults only) with Jerry Sieve ….. week of September 21st.

The Pines Ranch is nestled at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with views over the Wet Mountain Valley. The sun shines 335 days a year over its snow capped peaks, and there is plenty of room to ride, relax and explore. Around the main lodge and recreation area are a number of rustic log cabins and more modern lodge-style accommodation, all with private facilities. The ranch has an indoor  pool and hot tub. 3 wholesome meals a day are served in the Knotty Pine Dining room  . Horseback riding is the centrepiece of your vacation at the Pines Ranch. Their expert wranglers will match you up with a horse right away. You will learn how to ride or have the opportunity to improve your riding skills all week. In addition there’s plenty of fishing, campfire sing-a-longs and excellent hiking trails.   Stays are Sunday to Saturday for a 6 night stay or 3 days at the ranch and 3 days at Cow Camp. Ladies only weeks 11 May, 8 June, 17 Aug & 7 Sept 2008