Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

 
 
 
Call Toll-Free 877-667-3999
"Discover Your Inner Cowboy!" at our historic working cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Cattle drives, overnight pack trips, western riding instruction, scenic trailrides, fishing, hayrides, western cookouts and entertainment, supervised Youth Program, terrific home baking and legendary Jessup Family hospitality keep folks returning year after year.  Activities are planned to maximize a feeling of home and family participation.  The food is plentiful, homemade and delicious.

The Jessups invite you to saddle up and experience the authentic cowboy culture of America's historic West.  We'll help make your summer vacation the best ever!     When you'd like more information or you're ready to visit, please let us know by calling toll-free at 877-667-3999 or sending an e-mail.

View our Ranch Video

"Friendliest Holiday - a week on a western dude ranch." - James T. Yenckel, Washington Post travel writer, from "The Best and Worst...the Fearless Traveler rates the ultimate in travel."

Named "Best Family Vacation" by Frommer's Colorado Guidebook and rated among the "top ten Colorado dude ranches" by True West Magazine.


 

  • PACKAGES & RATES Six-night packages for adults, teens and children are all-inclusive except for rafting trips, fishing guides and massages. Tax and gratuity is extra.  Non-rider packages available.  Shorter stays sometimes available.  Our rates are mid-range in comparison to other dude ranches - way above rustic but not a luxury resort.
  • YOUR WEEK’S PROGRAM Lots to do, no pressure to do it!  Guests check in after 3pm on Sunday and say adios before 10am the following Saturday (six-night package).
  • YOUTH PROGRAM Our supervised Youth Programs (ages 3-12) include ranch chores, horseback riding instruction, horsemanship, colt care, roping and trail rides (for ages 6+). Non-horse activities include river tubing, archery, Nature Center fun, guided hikes, crafts, Native American games & more!  Adults and teens are welcome too!
  • FOOD & BEVERAGE All meals are included in your vacation package.   Food is plentiful and home-made.  Some meals feature our own Heart-J natural beef and there's lots of home baking.  We are happy to accommodate most special diets.  We feature the best from Colorado wineries and breweries. Your own choice of wines, beers and liquors may also be ordered in advance.  Under state law, all wine, beer and bartending services must be arranged through the Ranch.
  • NEW THIS YEAR   New trails, rock climbing course, entertainment, archery, multi-station skeet shooting and more cattle moving opportunities in our grazing rotation program.  Also, check out our hot tub - the most requested item by our dude ranch guests!
  • SUMMER CALENDAR Summer dude ranch season starts mid-June on June 10th and lasts for eleven weeks until late August.  6 nights, Sunday check in, check out Saturday.
  • CATTLE DRIVE WEEKS All weeks feature cattle work of some kind, but the two big drives occur during the first two weeks in July.  Guests return year after year to help move the herd from the main ranch up to the back country.  We also have Special Cow Hand Weeks in June when the ranch hands need some extra help!  As with any real working ranch, cattle work depends on weather and range conditions. 
  • NATIVE AMERICAN WEEK Popular with all ages, this special week is our 8th annual and is hosted by Gray Wolf and guest historians.  It includes hands-on crafts, games, storytelling, tomahawk throwing, history, philosophy and more.   Additional costs apply.
  • HORSEBACK RIDING Adults, teens and youth ages 6+ receive daily riding instruction with our friendly wranglers, plus plenty of time in the saddle!  Enjoy trailrides, a breakfast ride and gymkhana.  The overnight pack trip to Cow Camp is often the highlight of the week.  Our new "High Steaks" Poker Ride is an option for those not heading to Cow Camp.
  • FISHING Supervised spin-cast fishing for adults and kids, plus catch-and-release flyfishing for teens and adults in our main ranch trout ponds, bass ponds and river is included.  Guided flyfishing for trophy-sized trout in our Big Valley lakes and on the river as well as lessons for beginners are available for an extra charge.
  • WHITE-WATER RAFTING Take the plunge!  Enjoy a thrilling ride down Class II and Class III rapids of nearby Cache la Poudre River.  Additional cost applies.
  • BIRDING AND NATURE A guided nature walk and a birding session are part of your week. There are miles of hiking trails on 3200 acres with plenty of wildlife.  We protect our land with conservation easements and practice low-impact cattle grazing.
  • HAYRIDES Meet Butch and Sundance, our Belgian draft horse team, when you arrive on Sunday. They’ll take you on an unusual orientation tour!
  • EVENING ENTERTAINMENT Evening activities are designed for all ages, and include Western dancing, a rollicking Ranch party, cowboy entertainment, campfires, family softball, an ice cream social ... just good ol' fashioned family fun!
  • LODGING All 26 lodging units have private baths, comfortable beds and country-western decor.  In keeping with Ranch tradition as a haven from city life, there are no TVs or phones in rooms, but these new-fangled contraptions (along with wireless high-speed internet access) are available in the Heritage Building.  Capacity: 50-60 people in cabins, guest houses and lodge rooms.
  • RECREATION Hot tub, heated outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball, horseshoes, basketball and game room with board games, foosball, ping-pong and billiards.
  • FACILITIES Ample gathering rooms for large family groups and reunions, as well as outdoor picnic areas.  Business Center includes computer, printer, fax and color copier. Telephones and high-speed internet access (cable and wireless) available in several areas.
  • MASSAGES Take the kinks out of those new-found muscles with a relaxing massage, by appointment (additional charge applies).
  • NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Golf courses, white-water rafting, Rocky Mountain National Park, Loveland Museum Gallery, Benson Park Sculpture Garden, historic downtown Loveland, Estes Park Village, Roosevelt National Forest, Fort Collins, Boulder, Gold Rush towns and much more.
  • LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS: One hour and 15 minutes from Denver International Airport.  In the foothills on US Highway 34 between Loveland and Estes Park, 20 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park.  Altitude is a comfortable 5,200 feet on the main ranch to 7,200 feet at Cow Camp, on 3,200 acres.
  • TRAVEL TIPS What to Wear, Vacation Insurance, One-Stop Travel planning, Additional lodging, Car rentals, Airport Shuttles and more.
  • SERVICES & POLICIES Laundry, Pets, Tips, Smoking, alcoholic beverages and more.
  • PHOTOS

 

Happy Trails,
The Jessup Family and Staff at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

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Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association Dude Ranchers' Association