Big Thompson River Ranch Colorado USA This historic 3,200 acres ranch has been in operation since the 1920’s. It is little piece of Heaven tucked on the quiet side of Eagle Ridge, on the banks of the Big Thompson River. There are many activities for all ages: head up Sulzer Gulch shaded by cottonwoods; explore the old wagon trails on Alexander Mountain; climb the rocky slopes of Eagle Ridge; ride across the meadows on Green Ridge; or catch the breathtaking view from the Rim Ride. Guest Ranch Family Vacation Trip for "Women Only" Riding with fishing options Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Loveland, CO Airport:   Denver International Airport (DIA) Transfer: -- Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Gratuity: 18 % (to be paid locally)

Tax: 3.7 %  

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Shorter stays can sometime be arranged - please inquire

We offer group lessons each morning, followed by trail riding in the afternoon. Your package also includes cattle sorting activities for ages 12 and up.  

Overnight Pack Trip (ages 12 and older)    
Sometimes, we can arrange an overnight pack trip to the back country. Ride up to a higher elevation, where you’ll be greeted at Cow Camp by the smell of our delectable Beef Steaks cooking over the grill. Spend the night under the stars after singing around a campfire with s’mores. A perfect way to get back to nature!

Kid's Program (3-12 years old)
Our daily youth program gives ages 3-12 a real bonding experience with their horse: ranch chores, horse care, trail riding, horsemanship lessons. Safety requires that children must be 7 years and older to go out on the trail. Children 6 and under will enjoy lead-around-rides in the arena and a variety of outside adventures.
Experiential learning activities in the afternoon can be enjoyed as a family or under the guidance of a qualified youth counselor.
Childcare is available for the younger crowd upon request (inquire for rate).



2023 Special Weeks:
June 4-9: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
June 18-23: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
July 9-14: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
August 6-12: Rodeo Cowboy Week
August 13-18: Grownup Week (no kids under 21 during this week)
September 3-8: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
September 10-15: Grownup Week (no kids under 21 during this week)
September 28 - October 3: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)

2024 Special Weeks:
June 2-7: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
July 7-12: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
August 4-10: Rodeo Cowboy Week
August 11-16: Grownup Week (no kids under 21 during this week)
September 1-6: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)
September 8-13: Grownup Week (no kids under 21 during this week)
September 26 - October 1: Cowgirl Week (Female only - no kids under 13 during this week)

Native American Week
Join us that week for a chance to immerse yourself in Native American history and culture as Gray Wolf and his fellow historians bring ancient traditions to life. Your whole family will enjoy this unforgettable week in Colorado with opportunities for learning Native American crafts, skills, and traditions all in a beautiful riverside setting. This is a perfect intergenerational vacation, with fun and engaging activities for all ages.



Non-Riding Activities
For non-riding guests or riders wanting to get off the saddle for a while during their stay, we also offer a selection of non-riding activities (included in your package). At the ranch, you can decide to explore the surrounding on one of our guided nature walk, give a try to trap shooting or go bass fishing.

We also have some non-riding activities available at extra cost (inquire for rates):
- White water rafting
- Guided fly fishing excursion
- Private riding instruction
- Massage

                                                Loveland area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	44	47	56	62	71	83	88	86	78	65	53	43
Average Low Temperature (°F)	14	17	25	32	41	50	56	54	46	34	23	14
Average High Temperature (°C)	7	8	13	17	22	28	31	30	26	18	12	6
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-10	-8	-4	0	5	10	13	12	8	1	-5	-10
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	2	3	4	6	7	4	5	4	4	3	3	2

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Colorado benefits from about 300 days of sunshine per year and four distinct seasons. Winters are usually mild and summers are dry allowing for plenty of varied outdoor activities year round.
The ranch only operates during summer and fall.

At the ranch, comfort is key! Casual clothing and comfortable footwear work best.

We recommend bringing the following items:
- Toiletries,
- Sun glasses,
- Sun screen,
- Camera,
- Jeans,
- Long- and short-sleeve shirts,
- T-shirts, swim suit,
- Water shoes (if you plan to raft or tube the river),
- A hat and boots are a must!

Cowboys travel light! If you don’t have boots and hat already, consider getting them after your arrive. We have hats for sale at the Gift Shop and boots to borrow from the Saloon. We can also direct you to our local western store.

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Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Each lodging unit is decorated in the spirit of the Old West and furnished with antique accents. Our guest rooms are television- and telephone-free, allowing for the opportunity afforded to enjoy evening walks and/or fireside chats.
The ranch is smoke-free to preserve a healthful environment.
Some of our lodging units accommodate wheelchairs.

Amenities include our Game Courts with tennis, pickle ball, shuffleboard, foursquare, and basketball. In addition, we have a Game Room equipped with table tennis, foosball, and billiards. You can also enjoy a refreshing dip in our outdoor heated pool (seasonal).

Complimentary wireless Internet is available throughout the main ranch grounds, including lodging rooms.
Cell phone service is patchy. Verizon has a strong signal in the Heritage; other providers are a little trickier. However, our house phone in the lobby is available 24/7 with complimentary international or domestic long distance along with local calls.

If needed, pick-up laundry service is available mid-week.


Room options (all included in your package - attributed on a first come, first served basis)



Side by Side Cabins - max 4 pax
Clustered in the main yard amid flowers, giant cottonwoods and towering blue spruce, our cabins all come furnished with claw-foot bathtubs/showers, refrigerator, coffee pot, air conditioning and sitting rooms with optional adjoining doors. Beds are queen size with an additional single bed in some rooms. Adjoining outside porches provide a great place to kick back and relax.



Sweetheart Cabins - max 2 pax
Located by the river, each secluded cabin includes a living room with fireplace, comfortable furniture, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and a separate bedroom area with queen-sized bed and private bath. A private deck overlooks the grounds.



Homestead Guesthouse - max 6 pax
This 3 bedroom-guesthouse has a full kitchen, a living room with a fireplace, and a lovely deck that sits outside above the river. Each room is fitted with a Queen bed and there is a Jack & Jill bathroom (one bathtub, two separate toilet/sink rooms). 



Mama J's Guest House - max 10 pax
This lovely four-bedroom home has two-and-a-half baths, a spacious kitchen, screened-in porch, outside deck, and a window-lined living room with an old-fashioned pot-bellied wood-burning stove.



Isabelle Bird Guest House - max 6 pax
This guest house offers a great view of the upper pastures and surrounding foothills. It includes three bedrooms, one full and one ¾ bath, and a comfortable dining and living area with fireplace.



Tommy House - max 4 pax
This quaint 1930-style farm house has two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and a living room with fireplace.

Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is possible.
No single supplement fee will be charged for a single room.



Meals
All meals are included.

Meals are served buffet style and always include an entrée, a couple of side dishes, a full salad bar and drinks for both lunch and dinner. 
Breakfast offers an entrée (pancakes, French toast, eggs to order, omelet) with a side of potatoes or bacon and sausage, as well as fruits, yogurts, cereals and grains.   
 
Our liquor license does not permit personal beverages in public areas. You are, however, permitted to keep and consume your own alcoholic beverages in your accommodations.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions if given prior notice. 

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter Horses
Pace:		Approx. 2-3 hours of riding per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(1 to 5 out of 5)    All riding levels
Age:		Min 7
Weight:		Max 240 lbs / 110 kg
Riders:			Max 7

Safety
We are certified through the Dude Ranchers’ Association Horse Safety Program. We also belong to the American Quarter Horse Association as well as the Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association.
All riding adventures will be accompanied by a Ranch wrangler. Our wranglers are friendly horse professionals who delight in sharing their knowledge with you. They will provide what you need for a safe and enjoyable horseback riding experience, and their knowledge of the history, wildlife, and vegetation will expand your appreciation and enhance your ride.

Riding Groups
We try to keep our riding groups small with usually 6 or 7 riders max per group. One wrangler can take up to 7 riders at a time.
The breakfast ride and overnight pack trips can sometime have larger groups with some extra wranglers.

Horses
Unlike most recreational riding facilities, the majority of our horses (mainly Quarter horses with a few Paints) are born, raised, and trained on-Ranch. We’ve had registered horses with the American Quarter Horse Association every year for over 50 years. We have about 35-40 guest horses and every spring we welcome new foals into the herd. They learn the ropes under the gentle hand of our professional horse trainer.

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).

Passport Note

(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.

(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.

(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).



The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.

ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

 

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:

1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.

Validity

Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.

Applications to:

Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes