“Enjoy your gateway to horse riding adventure”
8 Day Adventure Ranch Vacation and Horse Riding in Chaffee County, Colorado
Colorado Guest Ranch, Elk Mountain Ranch, Road 185B, Salida, Chaffee County, Colorado, USA
Horse Riding in the USA
Join this adventure encompassing the best of Colorado at very reasonable, all-inclusive vacation prices! They also provide a total getaway for you with your loved ones or friends. Days at this Colorado dude ranch are filled with horseback riding, white water rafting, hiking, riflery, mountain biking, and other activities set against a backdrop of unending vistas. It is the ultimate in traditional western vacations and is perfect for families! Your accommodations are spotlessly clean with high-quality bedding and tasteful western décor.
Key information
- Rider weight limit: 250 pounds / 113 kilograms
Highlights
- Horse riding session
- Ropes course / adventure park excursion
- Thrilling white-water rafting trip and scenic vehicle trip to Aspen
- Mountain bike, hayride, square dance, campfires, and kids’ rodeo experience
- The service of a personal horse with trail guides and instruction
- Real dude ranch breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 7 nights' accommodation
Styles
8 days with instruction
Airport transfer available:
Denver International Airport (US$525 per person)
Denver International Airport (US$525 per person)
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
15:30
Check-out Time:
10:00
During this horse-riding holiday, you will stay at a private log cabin or log lodge room in Colorado Guest Ranch, all with private bath. The following are the type of cabins in the ranch.
The Elk Suite
This room has a master bedroom with king bed, second bedroom with a full bed and bunk bed, sitting room, and bath with tub / shower. The large guest suite, the elk, occupies the second floor of the main lodge. This overlooks the pond and has a separate outside entrance. There is a master bedroom with king bed, second bedroom with a full bed and bunk bed, sitting room, and bath with tub / shower combo. The room sleeps five to six persons.
The Deer Cabin
The Deer Cabin has a king bed in the master bedroom, second room with two twin beds and sitting area combined. The bathroom has a shower. This cabin is nestled in the aspen and evergreen with small porch overlooking pond which is great for small family or a couple. The room’s capacity is for four persons.
The Bighorn Cabin
The Bighorn Cabin is one of the most spacious options in Colorado Guest Ranch lodging. There is a king bed in the master bedroom, a second bedroom with bunk bed, and bath with shower. A large sitting area also has a day bed. Covered front porch overlooks the pond. This cabin is tucked in the pine trees, near the main lodge and play area. It is great for families with young children. The room’s capacity is for four to five persons.
The Beaver Cabin
If you like to be in the midst of all the action, the beaver cabin is for you. You can enjoy well-appointed Colorado Ranch lodging near the main lodge, trading post and hot tub. There is a master bedroom with a queen bed, second bedroom with bunk bed, sitting room and bath with shower. The room’s capacity is for four persons.
The Spruce Cabin
The Spruce was built with teens in mind. The cabin has two bedrooms (one with king bed, one with two twins). Each bedroom has its own bath. There is also a nice sitting room. The spruce is surrounded by pine trees and does require a short uphill walk. The room’s capacity is for four persons.
The Aspen Cabin
The Aspen Cabin is popular for its three bedrooms and two bathrooms (both with shower). Plenty of room for a large family. A short walk from the main lodge. Near the barn with horses just outside your bedroom window. The room’s capacity is for six persons.
The Pioneer Lodge
The Pioneer Lodge consists of three lodge-rooms each with their own bath (shower) and private exterior entrance. They share a large, long front porch. All rooms named after native American tribes. The Ute has a king bed. The Navajo has a king bed and adjoins (if needed) to the Arapaho with a full bed and a twin bed. This lodge is great Colorado Ranch lodging for couples, singles, or families with older children that just want to “spread out”.
Program
A brief description
Weekly package rates are designed to be “all inclusive”. All of the accommodations, meals, and activities emphasize quality and personalized service. This program is a seven-night stay. You will arrive after 15:00 on Sunday and depart before 10:00 on the following Sunday.
Schedule
Day 1: Sunday
- 15:00 Arrive at Elk Mountain Ranch, unpack, and relax
- 17:00 A guided hike
- 18:30 Supper in the lodge and a Colorado Guest Ranch welcome program.
Day 2: Monday
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 08:45 - 12:00 Horse orientation and trail ride
- 12:30 Lunch at the ranch picnic area
- 14:00 - 16:00 You will do the trail ride
- 14:40 Marksmanship tournament
- 17:00 Hospitality hour session
- 18:00 Steak cookout
- 19:30 Hayride and campfire, s’mores, popcorn, and cocoa
Day 3: Tuesday
- 07:00 - 08:00 Continental breakfast
- 08:00 - 15:00 Trail ride to brunch cookout and softball game and get back in time for a hike, and a massage or a soak in the jacuzzi
- 09:30 - 13:00 Ranch vehicle trip to brunch cookout
- 17:00 Hospitality hour
- 18:00 Supper
- 19:00 Colorado guest ranch square dance and line dance.
Day 4: Wednesday
- 08:30 Breakfast
- 09:00 - 10:00 Archery tournament
- 10:00 - 17:30 White-water raft trip or trip to a hot spring pool and water slide
- 11:00 - 15:00 Luncheon trail ride will be conducted
- 17:30 Hospitality hour
- 18:30 Supper
- Evening: Sit, relax, and enjoy the local entertainment
Day 5: Thursday
- 08:30 Breakfast
- 10:00-15:00 Luncheon cookout trail ride or van to lunch. Then, you will be back in time to hike, bike, or to relax
- 17:00 Hospitality hour
- 18:00 Supper
Day 6: Friday
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:30 Vehicle trip to Aspen across continental divide, a day of terrific scenery, and shopping in the most famous ski town
- 10:30 Excursion to Browns Canyon Ropes and Acventure Park
- 11:00 - 15:00 Luncheon trail ride
- 17:30 Hospitality hour.
- 18:30 Supper
- 19:30 Volleyball, dress crazily, play hard time
Saturday
- 08:00 Breakfast
- 09:30 - 11:30 Trail ride or trapshooting
- 12:30 Lunch
- 14:00 Afternoon trail ride
- 14:15 Kid's rodeo: Individual and team competition in riding and arena events. Lots of fun for everyone
- 18:00 Hospitality hour
- 19:00 Country candlelight dinner
- Evening: A presentation of awards and you can relax as well
Sunday
- 07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Happy trails and check out from the Colorado Guest Ranch
Included excursions
- Ropes course / adventure park excursion
- Mountain bike, hayride, square dance, campfires, and kids’ rodeo experience
- Thrilling white-water rafting trip and scenic vehicle trip to Aspen
Location
Elk Mountain Ranch overlooks the Arkansas Valley with breathtaking views of the Collegiate Peaks. As Colorado’s highest guest ranch at 9,600 feet elevation, the views there are awe-inspiring. It has the largest collection of peaks over 14,000 feet in the lower 48 states. The quaint, local town of Buena Vista is considered the “White Water Capital of Colorado.”
Food
One of the factors that contributes to an affordable Colorado dude ranch vacation is that meals are included! Three full-course meals each day delight both hearty and discerning appetites. From home-cooked breakfasts and trail ride cookouts to hors d’oeuvres, a candlelight supper, and indulgent desserts, Elk Mountain Ranch is sure to satisfy every taste.
Children’s items are offered (we have kids too!) and special diets and occasions are happily accommodated. Relax on the lodge deck before dinner and enjoy our daily appetizers. Coffee, teas, cocoa, fresh fruit, chips, and cookie jar are always available.
BYOB: While EMR is all-inclusive, it does not have a liquor license so you will need to BYOB if you would like an adult beverage during your stay. The van from DIA will make a stop if needed, and you can always make a request for supplies during one of the town runs.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Golf
- ATV rental
- Massage
What's included
- Horse riding session
- The service of a personal horse with trail guides and instruction
- Thrilling white-water raft trip
- Scenic vehicle trip to Aspen
- Ropes course / adventure park excursion
- Hayride, square dance, campfires, and kids’ rodeo
- Trap shooting, riflery, archery
- Mountain bikes rental
- Time to hike, think, read
- Get peace, quiet, and relaxation
- 3 hearty meals each day
- 7 nights' accommodation
What's not included
- Extra information such as food, extra activities, how to arrive, etc.
- Required sales and lodging tax (currently 6.65%)
- Airport service
- Optional gratuity (customary is 10-18%)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
DEN
Denver International Airport
167 km
Transfer available for additional US$525 per person
Arrival by plane
Please book your flight to arrive at Denver International Airport (DEN).
The ranch is a pleasurable 2.5 hour drive from Denver International Airport (DEN). Most major rental car companies are located at the airport. You may also use Elk Mountain Ranch airport transfer service. The cost for their service is 525 USD (no extra fees, taxes or gratuities) round-trip for a family group up to five persons. They pick up at 12:30 on Sunday, the day of your arrival and will have you back to the airport by 11:30 on the following Sunday. Some guests fly in on Saturday and stay at an airport hotel that offers a complimentary airport shuttle and breakfast. They can then pick you up at your hotel on Sunday. This is ideal for the guests from the United Kingdom as it gives them an opportunity to recover from the international flight.
The Jeppesen Terminal has three airside concourses. Concourses A, B and C have a total of 89 gates. Concourse A is accessible by train from Jeppesen Terminal or by the unique walkway which spans the airplane taxiway and gives travelers a closeup view of the airplanes as they move to their gates. Concourse B and C are accessible only by train from Jeppesen Terminal. This airport serves most airlines.
Airport: Denver International Airport
Airport transfer available:
Denver International Airport (US$525 per person)
Additional charges may apply. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 60% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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