Vista Verde Guest Ranch, Colorado's All Season Wonderland

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While many dude ranches close in the fall and reopen again in the spring through summer, Vista Verde Guest Ranch is a Colorado all-season wonderland. For guests of this all-inclusive luxury dude ranch, any time of the year is the best time to visit. Follow along with me as I share my fall adventure at Vista Verde Guest Ranch, along with teasers of the other three seasons.

Welcome to your new home on the Colorado mountain range. Vista Verde Guest Ranch blends AAA Four Diamond amenities and offers the opportunity to get your cowboy boots dirty—literally! This 4-star Colorado dude ranch is the perfect family or adult-only getaway.

At an elevation of 7,752 feet in the Elk River Valley surrounded by Routt National Forest, this Colorado dude ranch offers travelers a reprieve from the rest of the world with “…a little bit luxury, a little bit Old West, a place for adventure and a place for rest.”

I opted to travel solo for my Colorado fall getaway to Vista Verde. This was my first visit to Colorado’s northwest quadrant — but it won’t be the last as this luxury dude ranch provided me with plenty of adventures, culinary experiences, and a chance to make new horse-loving friends.

Huge great room with large wood beams, hanging metal, circular chandelier with candle sconces. The front of the lodge has 3-stories of glass windows. A floor to ceiling stone fireplace divides the windows. Rustic wood plank flooring covers the great room. Heavy western-themed furniture fills the room, as well as navajo wool area rugs and 5 table lamps.

Arrival at Vista Verde Guest Ranch

The best part of this adventure was the horseback riding. Yet truth be told, I felt like a celebrity as soon as I stepped into tiny Hayden Airport and was greeted by a Vista Verde cowboy. I joined several other guests in the ranch shuttle while our driver navigated along the beautiful Colorado backroads in September. The van pointed west toward Steamboat Springs with our ultimate destination, an adult-only 6 night stay at the Vista Verde Guest Ranch.

Situated in the Elk River Valley and surrounded by the 1.1 million-acre Routt National Forest, Vista Verde sits on roughly 600 acres and is located about 40 miles north of Steamboat Springs. This dude ranch is a unique blend of amenities and authentic western hospitality. Our visit coincided with the changing colors of the Colorado aspen leaves.

The Main Lodge

The star attraction in the lodge is the Great Room. This is where guests congregate around the fire, enjoy happy hour, and just relax. The furniture and decor in the Great Room are cozy and truly comfortable. Be sure to take time to walk around and check out the Western artwork and decor.

Guests happily sink into the comfy leather chairs. After a day of horseback riding, I was no exception. Having lived in the Napa Valley, I confess that I was impressed with the selection of wines, as well as beer offered each evening. Daily appetizers and conversation were a highlight all week. The stone, floor-to-ceiling fireplace was the centerpiece of the room, as well as the beautiful metal chandelier.

This is also where the reception desk is located at the entrance and where guests check-in and sign up for activities. The dining room is just off the Great Room.

Accommodations at Vista Verde

I checked in quickly and was directed to Mica room, one of three lodge rooms. My nextdoor neighbor was another solo female traveler. Additionally, there are 12 cabins scattered throughout the property. The room was nicely stocked with complimentary snacks, juice, soda, beer, and wine — with an option to make requests for more or less of any item, when available.

Light wood king bed frame with white duvet and western-themed runner and 2 decorative pillowcases. Matching wood side table and desk lamp on either side of bed. A large light brown leather chair is to left of bed with cowboy on horse artwork above the chair. The wall is painted red. Brick red carpet with beige strips is on 2nd-story lodge room.

I took a quick look into one of the cabins close to the Main Lodge. A master suite with a king bed and private bathroom looks onto the horse pasture. The second bedroom offered a queen bed and a private bathroom. This set-up is perfect for smaller families, or adults wanting to share a cabin as it offers private bedrooms and then a living area and small kitchen.

The view outside the back deck (complete with a hot tub) is stunning. Other accommodations at Vista Verde Guest Ranch continue with the rustic exterior, but the interior is what I like to call ranch couture, which equates to stylish, yet comfortable Western flair. The decor is a mix of antique, western art, lodgepole pine beds, and handmade log furniture.

Two-story wood lodge and outdoor patio furniture and umbrellas reflected in the lake next to the lodge.

Bringing large or multigenerational family groups? Consider one of their luxury private log cabins, larger versions of the cabin duplexes. Choose from one-bedroom to four-bedroom cabins, all unique in design, with a private hot tub on deck, thoughtful amenities like locally made bath products, Telluride coffee in-room, cozy comforters, spa robes, and boot jacks.

Vista Verde wants this to be the perfect time to unplug and enjoy your vacation with your family and friends. While complimentary WiFi is available in the Great Room, none of the accommodations offer phones or TVs — and no WiFi. If you must stay connected, the strongest signal is in the Great Room.

Dining at Vista Verde Guest Ranch

Breakfast croissant sandwich with scrambled egg, cheese, bacon and roasted, diced potatoes served on a blue ceramic plate. A blue ceramic coffee mug is beyond the plate.

This will be the moment that changes your perception of dude ranches: dining at Vista Verde Guest Ranch. While some menus include traditional casual BBQ and ranch-style cookouts, Chefs Jonathon Gillespie and Benjamin Huston change menus daily.

From prime rib to salmon, crab legs to pasta, and yes, BBQ, the dinner menus blew me away. We had a gluten-free guest amongst us and she was thrilled with the breakfast pastries, gluten-free breads, cookies and desserts. The gf chocolate crinkle cookies were awesome! Don’t miss the daily cookie jar.

Check the calendar for the times and themes of each meal, such as the breakfast trail ride or the steak dinner cookout.

Chestnut-colored horse head with ears perked forward to look at the Colorado Rockies and the double rainbow in the distance.

Activities at Vista Verde Ranch

You will run out of time before you run out of activities at Vista Verde Ranch. One can only fit so many things to do in one day — and I tried. I wanted to try wild yoga and archery but ran out of time. I filled my fall days with guided trail rides, guided fly fishing, a pontoon boat ride (and more fishing) on Steamboat Lake, as well as happy hour with the horses. Finally, making my way to the barn for line dancing and boot stomping.

Of note is their horseback riding program! It is outstanding. With over 100 horses and a full-size indoor arena, riding is available year round. Guests are paired with a wrangler and horse that matches their ability.

In addition, when checking in, each guest is given a calendar of the activities for the week. Colorado’s other seasons are equally full of outdoor adventures. A full list of all-season activities is available here.

Traveling Soon? These useful links will help you prepare for your trip.

Get a Car Rental
Buy Travel Insurance
Search for Great Tours HERE

Fly fishing woman has her fly rod in Elk River, Colorado. She has her back to the camera with a fish net and fly fishing pouch tucked behind her. A long, brown pony tail hangs over her fishing waders.

What Exactly is Included in All-Inclusive Packages?

This is truly an all-inclusive ranch vacation. Lodging, three meals per day, and an assortment of wine, beer, and soda are included. Most guided seasonal activities include horseback riding, 3D archery, sleigh rides, fly fishing, ice fishing, mountain biking, paddleboarding, and more (and yes, even include specialty equipment.) Weekly cooking classes and wine tasting are included in the price unless there is an a la carte stay. The photography workshop is also a don’t miss. The kids, tween, and teens programs are outstanding, according to a 10-time repeat guest I spoke with. Additionally, a private swimming pool, transportation, and evening entertainment are included – including line dancing lessons. Book online with the ranch itself, or see if you can find better rates on Expedia and book there instead.

Ala carte options with additional fees are premium wines, massages, dog sledding, private river fly fishing and snowmobiling.

Getting Around

Some Denver guests drove their own car to the ranch. However, since most activities are within the 600 acres of the ranch, a vehicle is not necessary. For those wanting to venture into nearby Steamboat Springs or activities outside of the ranch, the staff is happy to transport guests in ranch vehicles. Be sure to book early as there is a limited number of vehicles.

Please note that while this is an all-season Colorado dude ranch, you’ll want to check the Vista Verde Guest Ranch website for specific dates and special offers.

Review and photos by Oregon-based Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. Her stay was organized by Vista Verde Guest Ranch. As always, all opinions are her own.

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