Antonito, CO USA
Activities - Up in the backcountry...
Activities - Horse Riding
(800) 633-3397
Your Host:
Doug, Linda, David & Jane Van Berkum
Unique southern Colorado Rockies ranch featuring excellent riding, fishing, kids programs, evening activities and a true taste of the Old West. Historic lodge, cabins, spectacular scenery.
Snapshot
Lodging
Activities
Kids' Programs
Food & Dining
Map
| Web Site: |
www.rainbowtroutranch.com/ranchweb.php |
| Capacity: |
60 |
| Meeting Capacity: |
25 |
| Open: |
May 27-September 23, 2012 |
| Altitude: |
9000 ft |
| Location: |
Nestled at 9000' in the scenic Conejos River Valley, 23 miles up into the mountains west of small Antonito, CO; 2 1/2 hours north of Santa Fe, NM. |
| Reservations: |
(800) 633-3397, (719) 376-2440 |
| Rates: |
285-300 per person 12 and older/night -- rates vary according to dates |
| Minimum Stay: |
3 nights |
| Deposit: |
To hold reservations, we request a deposit of $400 per person. This is refundable (less a 10% handling charge) up to 60 days in advance of arrival. Less than 60 days in advance, it is refundable (less 10%) only if we can rebook the space. |
| Payment Methods: |
Check/cash, 2.5% savings; Visa/MC |
| Transportation: |
Airport pickup available from Alamosa, CO for $200 round trip up to 6 people. Advance notice required. |
| Closest Airports: |
Alamosa, CO (1 hr); Albuquerque, NM ( 3 1/2 hrs); Colorado Springs, CO (4 hrs), Denver (5 hrs) |
| Travel Agents: |
Yes |
| Memberships: |
Dude Ranchers Association, Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association, America Outdoors |
Lodging
Accommodations in individual log cabins of varying sizes. Our smaller cabins consist of two bedrooms, bathroom and can sleep up to four. Most have livingroom/fireplace areas. Our larger cabins vary and can sleep up to 6,7,& 8 and each has two bathrooms and a livingroom/fireplace area. All our cabins are very comfortable and quaintly decorated with a western theme, and all have nice porches with lovely views.
Activities
Each day offers many options for you to choose from... Exceptional riding includes varied trail rides, all-day rides, overnight trip (12 & older only), team-penning and a ranch rodeo. Folks are matched with a horse for the week according to their ability level, and we do everything from beginning to advanced riding with plenty in between. Horses are superb and wranglers will instruct as needed. Scenery is breathtaking. In addition, excellent fly-fishing on the mile and a half of privately owned blue-ribbon Conejos River which runs right through the ranch. Full time fly-fishing guide on staff for group and private lessons and guidance on the ranch. Fly-fishing equipment available for a nominal fee, other fishing equipment freely available. Additional excellent fishing in general vicinity as well as local professional guides. Cooks are happy to prepare your fish for any meal; also consider having it mounted--a great way to remember your time at the ranch. We have trapshooting, hiking, swimming, fantastic scenery, whitewater rafting out of Taos, NM and America's longest and highest narrow gauge railroad nearby. Or perhaps you would rather just enjoy the serenity of the Colorado Rockies beside the heated outdoor pool, or in the hot tub... Evening activities range from horse drawn hayrides, dancing, western musical entertainment and a singalong/ribbon award on Saturday night.
Children
We have the "Buckaroos" (3-5 yrs old), the "Cowpokes" (6-11 yrs old) and a teen program (12 to 17). The Buckaroo and Cowpoke programs are more structured, each with their own counselor(s) and featuring riding, fishing, western crafts, a stick horse rodeo, swimming, pb&j lunch ride, treasure hunts, hikes, picnics and much, much more. Buckaroos do most activities with Cowpokes, except they cannot ride unattended and instead are led around the ranch on one of our special kid's horses. Cowpokes get their own horse for the week and they go on trail rides with the counselor and/or wranglers, practice for the rodeo and have instruction and learning games during the mornings. In the afternoons the programs do other activities than ride, and if Cowpokes want to ride again, they can do so with parents or guardians. Family rides for everyone 6 and older are available any afternoon, and most mornings. The teen program is less structured although just as fun. Teens meet with their counselor on Sunday night and plan the week. Activities can include anything from riding, hiking, day trips, the overnight trip and more. All programs are optional, but they are such fun your kids will definitely want to be a part of them.
Dining
Rainbow Trout cuisine excels with delicious baked-from-scratch-daily breads, meat entrees ranging from turkey, pork, chicken and steak, great side dishes, salads, and of course, desserts that make a perfect meal even better. For vegetarians, there is plenty to choose from without eating the entrees, and several meals include vegetarian options such as soups, vegetarian lasagna and veggie burgers. Fresh fruit and snacks are always available in the main lodge along with coffee, hot chocolate and iced water. Meals are served family style in the lodge and we also have several poolside and riverside cookouts during the week. Folks have said that Doug's grilling is worth missing the Friday all-day ride for! By the way, if parents are away, counselors will stay with children, but generally everyone has meals together. We have a BYOB policy here at Rainbow Trout. You can either bring your own alcohol, or ask us to pick it up for you on our Monday town run. We have a guest refrigerator in the main lodge, along with glasses and wine glasses. You are welcome to enjoy alcohol with your meal or in your cabin--lots of folks like to sit on their porches after a ride and enjoy something cool.