Colorado Dude Ranches | Family, Luxury and Working Guest Ranch Vacations

A Colorado dude ranch combines western-style lodging, recreation and charm, available either seasonally or year round. Most host guests for a week, although some offer shorter, and even nightly stays. Ambiance ranges from upscale and luxurious, to hands-on, and working with the cattle.

Dude Ranch Vacations in Colorado

From the Rockies to the plains and everywhere in between, you’ll find the best, authentic dude ranches, for Families, Luxury and Working. These charming establishments offer a variety of accommodations to fit any budget. Signature activities include horseback riding and fly-fishing.

4UR Creede	Badger Creek Cañon City	Bar Lazy J Parshall
Black Mountain McCoy	C Lazy U Granby	Cherokee Park Livermore
Colorado Cattle Co Raymer	CO Trails Durango	Deer Valley Nathrop
Drowsy Water Granby	Elk Mountain Buena Vista	Elk River Clark
Emerald Valley Colorado Springs	High Lonesome De Beque	Home Ranch Clark
Laramie River Jelm	Latigo Kremmling	Lost Valley Sedalia
Majestic Mancos	North Fork Ranch Shawnee	Rainbow Trout Antonito
Rawah Glendevey	Smith Fork Crawford	Sundance Trail Red Feather Lakes
Sylvan Dale Loveland	Tarryall River Lake George	Tumbling River Grant
Vista Verde Clark	Waunita Hot Springs Gunnison	Wind River Estes Park
Zapata Mosca

Guide to Dude Ranches in Colorado

Colorado Dude Ranch Black Mountain Ranch Horseback Riding — Horseback riding with Black Mountain Ranch. Photo: Andrew Hyde

Experience the true Colorado, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Live like a cowboy for a week at one of many dude ranches around the state.

Many guest ranch resorts are all-inclusive, with home-cooked meals and a slew of guided recreation. Seasons vary, with most being from late spring into fall, while others are year round. The most popular time to enjoy dude ranching is summer.

<br /> Mostly all dude ranches will allow their guest to ride a horse, with some even granting you your own horse for the duration of your stay. Fly and rod fishing is a popular pastime at these western settings. A couple of Colorado dude ranches even having their own private hot springs.

Luxury guest ranches cater to your every whim. The lodge is upscale, the food is immaculate, and the service is five star. On the other end of the spectrum, you can get your hands dirty at a real working ranch, where you’ll herd cattle and keep up the daily chores.

If you’re looking for a true Colorado experience, book a week at a Colorado dude ranch for an adventure you’ll always cherish. More on guest ranches can be found at coloradoranch.com, the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association since 1934.