Elk Mountain Ranch

In the Main Lodge you will find facilities for dining, a lodge room with large fireplace, lots of board games, a piano, library, enclosed porch and sun deck.

The Trading Post offers a great line of ranching essentials such as sweets, soft drinks, bandanas, fishing tackle, ranch shirts and sweatshirts and cowboy hats. There is Internet connection in the Lodge and, just in case you need it, a laundry with all mod-cons.

Trail ride cookouts, steak fry, country candlelight suppers and fabulous desserts along with a Kids Menu are offered. You can relax on the lodge deck before dinner and enjoy some appetizers. Coffee, tea, cocoa, fresh fruit and a cookie jar are always available. Special diets and special occasions are happily taken care of.

Accommodation at the ranch is either in one of seven western style cabins sleeping a varied number of guests, The Pioneer Lodge and a Suite in the Lodge mean there is space for up to 30 people. Ranch stays are 7 nights from a Sunday as a rule, shorter stays are possible out of the main season.

A transfer is available to and from Denver Airport and the cost is $525 round-trip for a family group up to 5 - payable locally. Transfers to the ranch operate at 12.30 and return by 11.30, alternatively car hire can be arranged.

Elk Mountain Ranch provides a wonderful horse orientation and instruction for all guests at the start of the week. They own all of their horses and your riding experience will be a highlight of the week. Your safety is also of their highest regard.
 
The Ranch  has daily guided rides with qualified wranglers to assist your riding experience. They offer morning and afternoon rides, brunch ride and lunch rides.
 
There are incredible vistas and breathtaking views at every turn. While you will have trotting and cantering built into most rides it is sometimes limited due to the terrain and rider ability.
 
Please note the maximum riding weight is 250lbs or 17.5 stone due to the altitude.

The ranch offer a full kids’ programme for children ages 3-7. There will be two children’s counselors who offer the youngsters a supervised, fun-filled day of activity. Children 8 and older are usually able to participate in the regular ranch activities.
 
In early June there is the Buena Vista Rodeo, a trip will be arranged for the Saturday night.

With all these mountains around, why not ride the rapids of the Arkansas River through the heart of Brown’s Canyon. There are many hiking trails which take you through the history of the area or take off on one of their mountain bikes. Skeet and rifle shooting happens each week.

For those who like something a bit quieter,a fly-fishing clinic is offered on Tuesday afternoons on their stocked ranch ponds. The ranch will happily get you onto the Arkansas River for fly fishing later in the week if desired.

Back at the Lodge you will find horseshoes, volleyball, badminton, tetherball, basketball, arena soccer, softball, mountain bikes, square-dancing, cowboy poetry, musical entertainment, checkers, chess, backgammon and frisbees. Massage is available for an additional charge.

Take the weekly van trip to Aspen over the continental divide for sightseeing and shopping. Massage is available for an additional charge.

On Fridays, there will be an excursion to the Noah's Ark Adventure Park and Ropes Course. Minimum age is 7.

Last two weeks of the season are usually Adult Only weeks