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Colorado Family Dude Ranch Vacations

Colorado family dude ranch vacations are the best!

Star trails swirl above the main lodge at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, capturing the beauty of the Colorado night sky.

Why Choosing the Smallest Dude Ranch in Red Feather Lakes Is the Perfect Vacation Choice

When you think of a dude ranch vacation, sprawling properties with hundreds of guests might come to mind. But what if we told you that a smaller ranch could offer a richer, more personalized experience? Nestled in the stunning Colorado mountains, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch proudly holds the distinction of being the smallest dude ranch in Red Feather Lakes and the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association. Here, you’ll find the charm and intimacy of a small ranch paired with the adventure and relaxation you’d expect from a larger destination.

Personalized Attention and Intimate Atmosphere

At a smaller dude ranch, you’re not just another face in the crowd. With fewer guests, the staff can focus on making your stay truly memorable.

  • Tailored Experiences: From horseback riding tailored to your skill level to custom meal accommodations, the focus is on you.

  • Stronger Connections: Smaller groups mean you’ll build deeper connections with other guests, whether it’s swapping stories around the dinner table or partnering up for a game of horseshoes.

  • Family-Like Feel: The warm, welcoming environment makes every guest feel like part of the ranch family.

Unplug and Reconnect in a Tranquil Setting

The smallest dude ranches offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With fewer people, you can truly immerse yourself in the natural beauty surrounding the ranch.

  • No Crowds, No Stress: Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or relaxing in the hot tub, you won’t have to worry about competing for space.

  • Nature’s Peace: Listen to the wind rustling through the trees, watch the stars without light pollution, and enjoy the calming rhythm of life on the ranch.

  • Digital Detox: With fewer distractions, it’s easier to unplug from technology and reconnect with loved ones and nature.

Exclusive Access to Activities

Unlike larger dude ranches, where sign-ups and waitlists can be the norm, smaller ranches provide ample opportunities to enjoy activities at your own pace.

  • Horseback Riding: At Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, you’ll ride in small groups, ensuring plenty of guidance and time to explore the scenic trails.

  • Flexible Schedules: With fewer guests to coordinate, activities like hiking, disc golf, and even yoga sessions can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

  • More One-on-One Time: Whether it’s learning to saddle a horse or shooting on the range, the ranch staff has more time to dedicate to each guest.

Authentic, Down-to-Earth Hospitality

The charm of the smallest dude ranch lies in its authenticity. Sundance Trail Guest Ranch isn’t about glitz or glamour—it’s about real connections and genuine experiences.

  • Warm Welcomes: From the moment you arrive, you’ll be greeted with friendly smiles and heartfelt hospitality.

  • Rustic Comforts: Enjoy cozy accommodations and hearty, home-cooked meals that reflect the ranch’s character.

  • Lasting Memories: The personal touches and thoughtful details ensure your vacation is one to remember.

Why Choose the smallest dude ranch in Red Feather Lakes?

As the smallest dude ranch in Red Feather Lakes, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and connection. Whether you’re a family looking to bond, a couple seeking a romantic escape, or a solo traveler craving solitude in nature, the ranch delivers an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Ready to book your unforgettable dude ranch vacation? Contact us today to secure your spot at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, where small size means big memories.

ranch guests enjoying cowboy singing around the campfire

Reconnect, Relax, and Rekindle Bonds:
Why Family Reunions Are Best on an All-Inclusive Ranch

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Family reunions are special opportunities to reconnect with loved ones, celebrate shared history, and create new memories together. Whether it’s been a year or a decade since your last gathering, the joy of seeing generations come together under one roof (or the wide-open sky!) is unmatched.

Yet, as rewarding as they are, family reunions can also be a challenge to plan. Where will everyone stay? How will you feed a group that ranges from toddlers to grandparents? And most importantly, how do you ensure there’s enough fun for everyone?

That’s where an all-inclusive ranch like Sundance Trail Guest Ranch comes in. Hosting your reunion at a ranch transforms the experience from a logistical juggling act into a stress-free celebration. Here’s how the ranch can elevate your family reunion while keeping the focus on what matters most—each other.

Family Reunions Are About Connection

At their core, family reunions are about building and strengthening bonds. Being in a shared space that feels like home—without the responsibilities of maintaining one—lets everyone truly relax and connect.

On a ranch, kids can roam free, teens can unplug (maybe even willingly!), and adults can take a break from their everyday stresses. Shared meals become moments to swap stories, horseback rides turn into shared adventures, and evenings by the fire spark laughter and deep conversations.

The simplicity of life at a ranch, combined with the stunning natural backdrop, creates a space where distractions fade and connections deepen.

A Ranch Is Perfect for Multi-Generational Fun

One of the biggest challenges of planning a reunion is finding activities that work for everyone. You need to entertain the kids without boring the adults, and provide options that are fun for both the active adventurers and the more relaxed members of the family.

A ranch setting makes it easy:

  • Kids: Riding lessons, nature scavenger hunts, and games give them endless entertainment.
  • Teens: Horseback riding and activities like rock climbing and hiking appeal to their sense of adventure.
  • Adults: Scenic trails, relaxing hot tub, and quiet time on the porch with a cup of coffee make for a restorative getaway.
  • Grandparents: Opportunities to watch the little ones explore, take a gentle horseback ride, or simply soak in the mountain views create cherished moments.

Unlike city-centered reunions or vacations in busy tourist areas, a ranch fosters opportunities for every generation to join in without feeling left out.

The Gift of Letting Someone Else Handle the Details

One of the greatest joys of holding a reunion on an all-inclusive ranch is this: you don’t have to do it all.

At Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, everything is taken care of, from meals and cleanup to activities and accommodations. Instead of cooking, cleaning, and organizing, you’ll spend your time horseback riding, playing games, or simply enjoying each other’s company.

Other venues, like vacation rentals or hotels, often leave much of the work to the family, whether it’s cooking meals in a cramped kitchen or coordinating everyone’s schedules. At the ranch, the planning is simplified, and the focus is all on making memories—not to-do lists.

Making Memories in the Rockies

Imagine this:

  • The sound of your kids’ laughter as they splash in the pond on their horse.
  • The warmth of a shared meal in a cozy lodge dining room.
  • A game of cards with your cousins in the evening, the mountain air cool and fresh outside.
  • A quiet moment with your siblings, marveling at how far you’ve all come since those summer afternoons in Grandma’s backyard.

These are the kinds of memories that come to life on a ranch. The stunning beauty of the Colorado Rockies provides a picturesque backdrop for every moment, turning even the simplest interactions into cherished highlights.

Why Sundance Trail Guest Ranch?

Sundance Trail Guest Ranch takes family reunions to the next level with features designed specifically for group gatherings.

  • Private, exclusive use of the ranch for groups of 20-24.
  • Comfortable accommodations with separate accommodations for each family and communal spaces for togetherness.
  • Activities that bring generations together, like horseback riding, disc golf, and hiking.
  • Accessibility for all, including wheelchair-friendly facilities.
  • Easy access to Denver International Airport for guests coming from near and far.

Here, you’ll find everything you need to create a meaningful reunion, without the headaches of planning it all yourself.

Start Planning Your Family Reunion Today

Whether it’s been years since your last reunion or you’re looking for a fresh take on the tradition, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch offers a stress-free, memory-filled escape. From the beauty of the Colorado Rockies to the simplicity of all-inclusive planning, there’s no better place to bring your family together.

So why not make this year the one you reconnect in a way you’ll always remember? Summer is already filling up, so reach out to learn more about hosting your family reunion at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch.

ranch guests enjoying cowboy singing around the campfire

The Art of Cowboy Poetry

Imagine sitting around a crackling campfire, the sun having set behind the mountains, casting the ranch in the soft glow of twilight. The air is crisp, the sky is awash with stars, and the only sounds are the gentle rustling of leaves, the distant call of a night owl, and the rhythmic cadence of cowboy poetry being shared among friends.

This is a scene that plays out every summer at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, where guests and staff alike gather on the last night of their stay to share their own cowboy poetry, continuing a tradition as old as the West itself.

A Glimpse into the Tradition of Cowboy Poetry

Cowboy poetry is a unique art form, one that originated in the late 19th century among the working cowboys of the American West. As these cowboys traveled long distances across the plains, driving cattle and sleeping under the stars, they began to compose poems that reflected their lives—poems about the land, the animals, the hardships they faced, and the camaraderie they found around the campfire.

These verses were often humorous, sometimes wistful, and always rooted in the realities of cowboy life. Passed down orally, they became an integral part of Western culture, capturing the spirit and ethos of the frontier.

four young girls share their cowboy poetry at the ranchKeeping the Tradition Alive at Sundance Trail

At Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, we’re proud to keep this tradition alive. Every summer, as part of our dude ranch experience, we invite our guests to participate in an evening of cowboy poetry on the final night of their stay. It’s a time for reflection, creativity, and connection, where both guests and staff members come together to share their own poems, inspired by their week at the ranch or the broader themes of Western life.

For some, this is their first foray into poetry. Others may have a bit of experience, but everyone is encouraged to give it a try. The result is a delightful mix of heartfelt reflections, playful humor, and even a few poignant moments, as people find their voice and share their thoughts in this unique and time-honored way.

The Magic of the Campfire Setting

There’s something about a campfire that naturally lends itself to storytelling and poetry. Perhaps it’s the way the flames dance and flicker, or the way the warmth of the fire draws people close together. Whatever the reason, our cowboy poetry night around the campfire has become a highlight for many of our guests.

It’s not just about the poetry itself, but about the shared experience—the laughter, the applause, the supportive atmosphere where everyone’s contribution is valued, whether it’s a few lines of verse or a longer narrative. For many, this evening of cowboy poetry is a chance to step outside their comfort zone, try something new, and connect with others in a meaningful way.

A Lasting Memory

As the evening draws to a close, and the final poems are recited, there’s a sense of contentment in the air. The campfire slowly dies down, leaving behind glowing embers and the soft murmur of voices as guests linger, reluctant to let the night end.

For those who have participated, whether as a poet or a listener, this evening of cowboy poetry often becomes one of the most cherished memories of their time at the ranch. It’s a reminder that while a dude ranch vacation is filled with adventure and activity, it’s also about slowing down, embracing the simple pleasures of life, and finding connections with others in unexpected ways. Listen to a recent guest share his cowboy poetry in this Facebook video.

At Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, we believe that the spirit of the West lives on in these small moments of creativity and community. And as long as there are stories to tell and poems to share, the tradition of cowboy poetry will continue to thrive, bringing people together around the campfire for years to come.

trail riding

Guest Ranch Horseback Riding – My Daydream

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Guest Ranch Horseback Riding is seldom as intense as Dorothy May Winfield expresses here, but this poem beautifully catches those blissful moments of being “in the zone” with your horse. Thanks, Dorothy (and Stewart!) – please say hello to Scotland for us. We hope to see you again next year!

trail riding under a blue skyMounting my quarter horse, I steel myself for the journey,
A ripple runs through him as my legs gently squeeze his sides,
He moves forward, slowly at first.
I feel his power beneath me,
Flicking the reins he gathers momentum
Faster and faster and faster,
He breathes deeply,
Fire bursts from his flared nostrils.
The plain stretches before us like endless time.
hands pull at my hair, my clothes,
Stripping my mortality.
My heart beats to the rhythm of his hooves.
The ball of fire above, now burns my naked body.
The saddle has gone,
There is nothing between us,
We have become one.
Only my senses are alive,
I am lost, deep within myself.

Get lost deep within yourself with a trail ride at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch!

sundance-trail-guest-ranch-mothers-day-2024

Celebrate Mother’s Day with an Unforgettable Getaway at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re still searching for that perfect gift to show your appreciation, look no further. Sundance Trail Guest Ranch offers an extraordinary experience that combines adventure, relaxation, and the beauty of nature, making it an ideal choice for treating the special women in your life to an unforgettable getaway.

At Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, we understand that every mother is unique, which is why we offer a variety of options to suit different preferences. Whether you’re looking for a full retreat or just a day of outdoor adventure, we have something for everyone.

  1. Overnight Packages:
    • Country Inn Experience: Our Country Inn package includes lodging, delicious home-cooked meals, and morning horseback rides—all bundled together for a hassle-free stay. Immerse yourself in the rustic elegance of our accommodations while enjoying the breathtaking views of the surrounding Roosevelt National Forest.
    • Bed & Breakfast Retreat: For those seeking a more intimate escape, our Bed & Breakfast package provides cozy lodging and hearty breakfasts to start your day off right. Enjoy the tranquility of our ranch setting and unwind in the comfort of our charming accommodations.
  2. Day Trail Ride Packages:
    • Morning or Afternoon Trail Ride: If you prefer a shorter getaway, opt for a morning or afternoon trail ride. Experience the thrill of exploring the picturesque trails of the Roosevelt National Forest on horseback, guided by our experienced wranglers. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Colorado without committing to an overnight stay.

No matter which experience you choose, expect a truly memorable adventure. From spring horseback riding to stargazing from the Jacuzzi, there’s no shortage of ways to unwind and reconnect with nature. Families can bond over shared adventures away from the distractions of modern life.

One of the highlights of our ranch is our dog-friendly policy, allowing furry family members to join in on the fun. And when it comes to dining, our home-cooked, western-style meals are both plentiful and delicious, with options for healthy choices to suit every palate. Whether you’re enjoying a family-style meal in our dining room or picnicking on the trail, every bite is a taste of genuine Western hospitality.

So why not surprise the special mothers in your life with a gift they’ll never forget? Whether it’s a full retreat or just a day of outdoor adventure, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch promises an experience that’s as unique and unforgettable as she is. Book your Mother’s Day getaway today and give her the gift of adventure, relaxation, and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Book Your Mother’s Day Getaway Now and Make Memories to Last a Lifetime! Call us at 970-224-1222, today!

Pet Friendly Colorado Dude Ranch Vacations

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Embrace Adventure with Your Furry Companions at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch

Meet Draco and Luna!

Are you tired of leaving your beloved pets behind when you embark on your adventures? Do you long for a vacation where you and your furry friends can create memories together amidst the beauty of nature? Look no further than Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, where we welcome pets with open arms, at NO CHARGE, and you can even bring your own horse along for the ride.

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch offers a unique experience for pet owners seeking a getaway that includes their four-legged family members. Here, our motto is simple: pets aren’t just allowed; they’re celebrated.

One of the most enchanting aspects of Sundance Trail Guest Ranch is the presence of our resident dogs and cats, who roam freely across our sprawling grounds. From friendly tail wags to curious purrs, these furry companions are always eager to welcome new friends into their midst. Whether your pet is a social butterfly or prefers to explore solo, they’ll find kindred spirits among our resident animals.

But the pet-friendly experience doesn’t end there. At Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, we understand that your pets are part of your family, which is why we happily accommodate them in our comfortable lodging options. Whether you prefer a cozy cabin or a rustic lodge room, you can rest assured that your furry friend will feel right at home by your side.

In addition to our resident pets, we also extend a warm welcome to guests who wish to bring their own horses. Imagine trotting through pristine meadows and winding trails with your faithful steed, breathing in the crisp mountain air and reveling in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. With miles of scenic terrain to explore, Sundance Trail Guest Ranch is a paradise for both two-legged and four-legged adventurers alike.

Bringing your own horse to Sundance Trail Guest Ranch is a breeze. Simply give us a call to make the necessary arrangements, and we’ll ensure that everything is prepared for your arrival. Whether you’re an experienced equestrian or a novice rider, our knowledgeable staff will help you create the perfect itinerary for your equine adventure.

But the real magic of Sundance Trail Guest Ranch lies in the sense of community that permeates every aspect of our establishment. Here, guests come together to share stories, forge friendships, and create lasting memories against the backdrop of Colorado’s stunning natural beauty. And with your furry companions by your side, the experience becomes even richer and more fulfilling.

So why settle for a vacation that forces you to leave your pets behind? Embrace adventure with your furry companions at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, where pets are not just welcome – they’re an integral part of the experience. Join us for an unforgettable getaway filled with laughter, exploration, and the boundless joy of sharing the great outdoors with those you love most.

Read more about our pet friendliness:

BARK Magazine, July/August 2009

The Pet Gazette, May/June 2006

Sundance Trail Dude Ranch & High Park Fire Colorado

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Wow! So many emails and phone calls! Y’all make us feel very cared for.

The fire remains at least 25 miles south east of us and on the other side of the river ( a major big protective fire line).

Our prevailing winds continue to be from the west or northwest, pushing the fire away (and filling Fort Collins with smoke). A wind from the south will push the fire north, but still far west of us. A wind from the east will push the fire far south of us. Our concern is high winds from the south-east; pretty unusual. We are watching closely and we are prepared.

Staff fire training is complete. We own our own foam system to cover the lodge. We have set up impulse sprinkler systems around defenable buildings as a precaution. The last few beetle killed trees will come down today. All is well, we are prepared. Actually, thanks to Nick, Victor, James and a few others, we have been well prepared for a couple of years now. (We have been expecting this since we moved here – Smoky the bear has caused almost one hundred years of fuels to be left on the ground – Mother Nature is trying to balance out our arrogant foolishness.)

Neighbors closer to the fire are bringing their horses here. Thanks to Dicky and Christine’s loaning us their 10-horse trailer, we can move all of the horses to Luann’s corrals in Owl Canyon in less than three hours.

In other words, we are expecting the best, prepared for the worst, and watching closely.

Now join us in praying for rain.

And we are starting the summer dude ranch season. Yee-haw!

Sorry no pictures on this post – have been off buying horses! Have bought 6 new horses in the last two weeks – all are “honeys”! Pictures of Ralph, Dharma, Rio, Guss, Soda-Pop and Gene soon.