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Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |||||||||||||
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| Famous For: | Legendary hospitality since 1946, superb fly-fishing, Great Fun, Great Food, Great Folks! | ||||||||||||
| Capacity: | 50+ guests | ||||||||||||
| Open: | 2nd week of June to last week of August | ||||||||||||
| Altitude: | 5,280 feet | ||||||||||||
| Location: | 66 miles Northwest of Denver; 3200 acres nestled on the banks of the Big Thompson River, 20 miles from Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. | ||||||||||||
| Reservations: | Toll Free 877-667-3999 | ||||||||||||
| Rates: |
Adults: (13 and up): $2195; Non-Rider: $1765
Children: Youth (6-12): $1475; Children (3-5): $955 |
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| Vacation Specials: |
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| Minimum Stay: | 6-nights (Sun. thru Sat.) during Dude Ranch season; No minimum, September thru mid-June. | ||||||||||||
| Deposit: | 30% due when reservation has been confirmed. | ||||||||||||
| Payment: | Personal checks, travelers’ checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Real Fast Ponies! :-) | ||||||||||||
| Closest Airports: | Denver, CO. (DIA) 60 miles. We also have a small municipal airport in town. | ||||||||||||
| Transportation: | Please call the ranch for a list of vendors! | ||||||||||||
| Travel Agents: | YES | ||||||||||||
| Guest Reviews: | Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. | ||||||||||||
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 ArcheryBed-and-BreakfastSeasonal Big/Heavy Riders200-250 lbs. BirdingCamps for KidsDude Ranch with Kids Camp Cattle Drives1 or Part Day Children's ProgramsBaby Sitting Extensive Counselor Program - All Day or Camplike Program Children's Trail Riding6 yrs old Computer/Email ServicesConference ServicesA/V Computer/Email Services Corporate Groups, MeetingsMedium (50-100) CuisineRanch/Western Vegetarian Dude/Guest Ranches |
Email AccessFishing Fly Fishing Equipment Available Fish on Your Own Lake Fishing on Property Professional Guides & Instruction Stream Fishing on Property Type of Fish Trout Spin Fishing Equipment Available Instruction Available Lake Fishing on Property GolfNear (within 30 miles) HikingGuided On Your Own Honeymoon PackagesHorseback RidingHorsemanshipHorsesQuarter Kitchen Facilities (in cabin)Languages SpokenEnglish Spanish Laundry ServiceLiquorAvailable Massage |
Native American ProgramsNaturalist GuidesNon-Riding RatesPack Trips Ranch Activity RaftingNearby (within 30 miles) Resort RanchesTennis & Swimming on Property SeminarsHorsemanship Seminars - Fall Horsemanship Seminars - Spring Short Stays (1-4 days)Off Season Only Sporting ClaysSwimming PoolHeated Team BuildingTennisOn Property White-Water Rafting |
Women Weeks WorkshopsPhotography Yoga |
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| LODGING |
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| You'll enjoy the warmth of home in a peaceful, riverside setting. All 26 lodging units (including cabins, guest houses, and lodge units) have private baths, and alarm clocks. Several have fireplaces, and our guest houses have full kitchens. Our guest rooms are TV and telephone free (but these newfangled contraptions are available, along with internet access and business center, in the Heritage Building and J-Lodge). |
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| RECREATION |
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| Lots to do...no pressure to do it! Our brand of Western fun includes something for everyone, from the welcome hayride pulled by our Belgian Team to the cheers and action of the Gymkhana finale! Horseback Riding: We offer a variety of rides geared to various skill levels and a variety of times to accommodate your activity schedule. Heart-J Riders can participate in cattle work and the overnight pack trip. Should our program not fit your needs, please talk with our Head Wrangler. Private lessons are not included in the Heart-J Rider Package, but can be made available if staffing and time permits (additional charges apply). Whether you are an avid rider or not, the barn is a great place to be. Grab a rope and brush up on your roping skills. Relax on the “saloon” porch—Western Horseman library available. You can learn a lot just by watching a horsemanship class in progress. You can also participate in Barn Chores in both the morning and evenings! Overnight Pack Trips: Head up the gulch and ride to Cow Camp, an 1890's homestead in the remote back country. Cattle Drives: Sylvan Dale is a working ranch. We run approximately 70 pair of Red Saler cattle. The drives usually takes 4-5 hours, depending on temperatures and endurance levels of calves (and drovers!). Team Penning: Our authentic cattle operation offers a whole new world for avid riders. The opportunity to learn about cattle and how to work them properly will challenge and delight you! The industry call this Team Penning. You will saddle up, head for the cattle pens, and maneuver our Heart-J steers though a series of obstacles to their final destination. This process involves team work, cow savvy, cutting & herding skills, and a good sense of humor. Fishing: It's great to see the delight on children's faces when a 15-inch rainbow trout leaps high in the air at the end of the line -- and watch their parents unsuccessfully try to restrain themselves from "helping." Sylvan Dale is a family-friendly ranch where non-anglers, beginners and experienced fly fishers can enjoy themselves. Fly-fishing. During our mid-June through August dude ranch season, guests begin the week with a complimentary fly-casting demonstration at 4pm on Monday. Adults can become “qualified” for catch-and-release fishing by meeting with the instructor and obtaining a ranch fishing permit. Once qualified, guests are welcome to fly fish the main ranch ponds and the river at any time on a catch-and-release basis, free of charge. (A Colorado state fishing license is required for the river). Trophy Trout Fly Fishing. Guests may make arrangements to fly fish our trophy trout lakes in the Big Valley, two miles from the main ranch. We provide a guide for the first half-day to help guests become qualified for follow-up visits. Additional Charges Apply Bait fishing and spin casting. Summer guests are also invited to join us for supervised catch-and-keep fishing at our stocked trout ponds at the main ranch during certain hours (usually from 4-6 PM Tuesday – Thursday). We clean and prepare the trout for a tasty dinner entrée. In addition, spin casting is available on our Big Valley bass lakes, by special arrangement. For your convenience, rods, waders and boots, and float tubes are available for a small rental fee. The Ranch store contains a good selection of flies and other supplies. White Water Rafting: Are you ready for a rafting adventure? White water rafting is offered to our summer dude ranch guests through a separate company. The rafting trip is scheduled on the Lower Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's only National Wild & Scenic River. The trip is approximately 4.5 miles, usually Class II and Class III rapids (water flows vary, but the trip is considered intermediate to advanced intermediate in difficulty). A bus will pick you up from the ranch around 12 noon (after an early lunch) and will have you back for dinner by 6:00 pm. Birding & Nature: Sylvan Dale has 3200 acres of wildlife habitat, adjacent to Roosevelt National forest. We cooperate with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to manage wildlife and restore bighorn sheep, wild turkeys and other native species to the area. The valley where the main ranch grounds are located is in a transition zone that includes riparian river corridor, mountain mahogany foothills and ponderosa pine forest, and prairie wetlands. Birders find the ranch ideal for many resident and migratory species. Sylvan Dale is also a central location for exploring nearby "hotspots:" Pawnee National Grasslands and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Jessup family practices low-impact rapid rotation grazing to protect rangeland, and has placed much of the ranch land under conservation easement so it will never be developed. Summer Dude Ranch Vacation guests enjoy a nature walk and a birding experience as part of their package. Evening Fun: Summer Dude Ranch Guests enjoy and evening of Western Dance with Sharon Moore, an evening with a cowboy singer or entertainer, arena night at the stables, family softball night, campfire, and a Friday night ranch party. It’s all part of the package! Rock Climbing: Challenge yourself on our custom-built rock climbing course. We partner with the Colorado Division of the internationally rnowned Educo School to provide a safe and enjoyable climbing experience for all ages! Skeet Shooting: Test your skills or improve your marksmanship! Head over to the Big Valley and enjoy an afternoon of fun! Yoga: Regular classes are held every week. Sports Area: Be sure to enjoy our tennis courts, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts. Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool & Hot Tub so bring your swim suits! Game Room: Our game room includes a billiards table, foosball, and pin pong table. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Two Special Programs! Ages 6-12: Our "Buckaroo" Youth Program includes a full day of activities with riding instruction, horsemanship, trail rides, ranch chores, colt care and roping. Non-horse activities may include river tubing, archery, guided hikes to Prairie Dog Town or the Hidden Indian Cave, Native American games, farming and tractor rides, and other fun at the Kids' Clubhouse & Nature Center! In addition, Buckaroos also enjoy hiking to their own overnight campout on Eagle Ridge, and can participate in Friday's gymkhana games on horseback. Ages 3-5: The "Li'l Cowhand" Children's Program is designed for your little ones. Arena rides, treasure hunts, colt & mare care and storytelling are just some of the age-appropriate activities. Visits to the Kids' Clubhouse & Nature Center include exploration of ponds, games, arts & crafts and other fun! Sometimes they join the older kids, too! Childcare can be arranged for nap time and/or evening events at an additional charge for this age group, and those younger. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| Sylvan Dale can provide bar services for your event. We feature the best from Colorado wineries and breweries. Specialty Liquors may be ordered. Under our liquor license, all liquor and bartending services must be arranged through the Ranch, though guests can consume their own beverages in their lodging units. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| When we're not dude ranching, we're hosting business meetings, retreats & family reunions! (September through mid-June). Sylvan Dale features three primary meeting areas and three beautiful picnic areas. |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association, Dude Rancher's Association, Estes Park Chamber of Commerce & Loveland Chamber of Commerce |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| April 15-19 Cowgirl Roundup June 13: First Dude Week June 13 and June 20 Cowhand Weeks June 27, July 4 & 11 Cattle Drive Weeks July 18 Cheyenne Frontier Days July 25 Natural History Week August 1 Rodeo Week August 8 Native American Week August 15 Natural History Week August 22 - 27 Adults Only September 30-October 4 Cowgirl Roundup |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| **Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in Loveland was recently selected as a member of The Green Hotel Association in offering an eco-friendly place to stay. This membership certifies Sylvan Dale as a practicing green business committed to operating in ways that assure protection and conservation of their natural resources. The ranch owners have preserved over 1,700 acres of foothills views and wildlife habitat through conservation easements. Last Summer, the ranch was named the “2008 Conservationist of the Year" for the Upper South Platte Watershed by the Big Thompson Conservation District in Colorado. This year, they were selected by the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce as the winner of the 2008 Environmental Business Award. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is located in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Loveland, Colorado, close to Estes Park. For more information about the ranch’s sustainable practices, visit their web site at www.sylvandale.com and click on Green Practices. In the beginning, in the early 1920’s, Mr. and Mrs. Frend Neville owned a small cattle ranch at the mouth of the Big Thompson River. Wealthy doctors from St. Louis came to the area to hunt deer and liked it so much they wanted to bring their families. The Nevilles then built some cabins and a lodge along the river, planted some apple trees and named it “Sylvan Dale” meaning “wooded valley”. Years later, the facilities were sold to Cotner College, a Christian Church school in Lincoln, Nebraska. But during the depression of the 30’s, Cotner College closed and Sylvan Dale was leased out as a youth camp. Maurice Jessup, then a college kid in Oklahoma, overheard a conversation about the Ranch and asked for a summer job there. He hitch-hiked to Loveland and caught a ride from town with the mail carrier. He was overwhelmed with the beauty of the mountains and the rushing water and immediately told the camp director Mr. Weldon, “You know, I just love this place. Someday I’m going to own Sylvan Dale.” That was in 1934. Twelve years later, the Ranch was for sale and Maurice Jessup was in the military. He received special permission to go and bid on the property. After scratching his bid on a piece of paper, he and his wife Mayme “Tillie” were awarded the 125-acre run-down property. Together, Maurice and Tillie worked to make Sylvan Dale the 3200-acre guest ranch that it is today. Come celebrate the western tradition with the Jessup family! |
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| ITINERARY |
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| Our family and staff greet you when you arrive on Sunday afternoon, tired and dusty from the trail, and help you feel at home. Then the excitement begins! Each week is a little different, but here’s what a typical summer week is like: Sunday: 3:00 PM – Check-in …tour the grounds “Welcome Wagon” Hay Ride with “Howdy” and “Kid” Traditional Welcome Dinner & Introductions Welcome Night at the Stables followed by Ice Cream Social Monday: Natural History Walk Horseback Riding Lessons Fly Tying Lesson Afternoon Trail Rides Fly Fishing Demonstration Softball at the "Field of Dreams" Tuesday: Breakfast Ride Morning Adult Riding Instruction (the jog) Arena Rides for all kids under 6. Come on up! Afternoon Riding Adventures in the arena and on the trail Pond Fishing – catch and keep! A glimpse into the past with the Jessup Family - "How the Ranch Was Won" Western Dance Night with Dessert Wednesday: Breakfast Ride Morning Adult Riding Instruction (the lope) Skeet Shooting Whitewater Rafting Afternoon Riding Adventures on the trail Trout or Bass Fishing Thanksgiving Dinner! Evening Western Entertainment and dessert Thursday: Morning Adult Riding Instruction - Barrels & Poles Riding Adventures Rock Climbing Pond Fishing - Help us catch some more! Overnight Pack Trip to Cow Camp Outdoor Steak fry Guided Hike to Eagle Ridge for Overnight Campout Overnight Pack Trip to Cow Camp Friday: Morning riding adventures; pack trippers return from Cow Camp Gymkhana (games on foot and on horseback). Take home a ribbon! Ranch party at Daddy-J Pavilion - awards, family skits and branding your boots and jeans with our Heart-J! Going for the Gold Gymkhana Games on Horseback Saturday: Farewell Breakfast 10:00am – Check Out |
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