| FOOD AND WINE |
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| HIGHLIGHTS |
| Famous For: |
An historic, family owned guest ranch located on the western slope of the Colorado Rocky, fly fishing in private stretch of Smith Fork River & 7 ponds; mountain scenery & wildlife; spectacular hikes & trail riding in National Forest & wilderness. |
| Capacity: |
26 guests |
| Open: |
June 6 through November 1 |
| Altitude: |
7100 |
| Location: |
In Smith Fork River Valley, 7 miles east of historic Crawford, Colorado near the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Midway between Aspen and Telluride. 1.5 hours from Montrose, 2 hours from Aspen, Gunnison & Telluride, 5 hours from Denver. |
| Reservations: |
970-921-3454 |
| Rates: |
7 day Dude Ranch Vacation $3,150.00 per person per week.
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| Minimum Stay: |
7 day Sunday to Sunday June 6 through August 31, Three night minimum stay offered May 29 through June 14 |
| Deposit: |
50% to confirm reservation, full reservation total due 60 days prior to arrival |
| Payment: |
Personal check, cash, traveler's checks, VISA, Mastercard & American Express |
| Closest Airports: |
Montrose, Grand Junction, Aspen, Eagle-Vail, Telluride, Gunnison |
| Transportation: |
Advised to rent a car, airport pick up available $75 per person, $300.00 minimum each way. |
| Travel Agents: |
YES |
| Guest Reviews: |
Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES |
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 Adults Oriented
Adult Weeks
All Inclusive
Archery
Bed-and-Breakfast
Seasonal
Big/Heavy Riders
250-300 lbs.
Birding
Children's Programs
Baby Sitting
Children's Dining (kids eat together)
Moderate - Half Day
Nannies Encouraged
Children's Trail Riding
7 yrs old and over
Computer/Email Services
Conference Services
Computer/Email Services
Corporate Groups, Meetings
Small (under 50)
Cross-Country Skiing
Cuisine
Gourmet
Vegetarian
Culinary Trained Chefs
Dude/Guest Ranches
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Email Access
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Equipment Available
Fish on Your Own
Kids Fly Fishing Program
Professional Guides & Instruction
Stream Fishing on Property
Type of Fish
Trout
Golf
Near (within 30 miles)
Handicapped
Wheelchair Friendly
Hiking
Guided
On Your Own
Honeymoon Packages
Horseback Riding
Horsemanship
Horses
Appaloosa
Paint
Ponies (for kids)
Quarter
Hunting Ranches
Big Game
Bear
Deer
Elk
Wingshooting/Birds
Chukar Partridge
Ducks
Hungarian Partridge
Pheasant
Languages Spoken
English
Laundry Service
Liquor
Available
Luxury Ranches
Massage
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Naturalist Guides
Organic Foods
Rafting
Nearby (within 30 miles)
Rock Climbing
Seminars
Horsemanship Seminars - Fall
Short Stays (1-4 days)
Off Season Only
Sporting Clays
Team Building
Telephone in Room
White-Water Rafting
Women
Weeks
Workshops
Art
Nature
Photography
Yoga
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| LODGING |
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| This 1930s-40s vintage ranch has been beautifully restored and updated, carefully retaining the character of its glory days. The Guest Lodge which is the original ranch house, has five bedrooms all with private baths, a living room and sitting room (both with fireplaces), kitchenette and sun room. There are four lovely cabins, each carefully decorated with locally handcrafted furniture, art and antiques. Plush beds with puffy down comforters provide restful sleep after an active day on the ranch. SFR has an occupancy of 26, providing an intimate, convivial ambiance. |
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| RECREATION |
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| A full slate of activities and adventures designed for those who savor a breathtaking environment amidst towering peaks and high mountain meadows. Guests enjoy horseback riding, fly-fishing, archery, hiking, team penning cattle, arena games on horseback, and just relaxing. Hot tubs and hammocks are placed around the ranch for those seeking solitude. The Elk Lodge offers billiards and snooker, a fly tying table, an extensive library, a full workout room, game room and fly shop. Our stream-side massage outpost provides a perfect, serene ambiance during a massage. White water rafting, sport-clay shooting, walk and wade fly-fishing, glider rides and upland bird hunting are available with SFR's outfitter. Glassblowing and local artisan & vineyard tours are also popular. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| The ranch is a joy for children! The well-thought-out and organized kid's program teaches children how to fly fish and horseback ride. Archery, gold panning, balloon launching, scavenger hunts, climbing in the tree house, tie dying and nature hikes are a few of the many activities planned each day. The younger children have the option of eating with the children's counselors and playing games so mom and dad are able to enjoy cocktails and a four-course dinner. They may also dine with their parents and have selections off their own menu. |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| Smith Fork Ranch has a farm-to-table approach to cuisine, using local organically-grown fruits, vegetables, eggs, poultry, meat and game. We also harvest produce daily from our garden, so the menu changes with the season. Enjoy four course meals served on the pavilion, barbeque served stream side, gourmet picnic baskets, and a hearty breakfast served in the Dinner Bell Cookhouse or on the trail. An excellent Kid's menu is available as well. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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The ranch is available for corporate retreats in September and October. Activities such as riding, hiking, hunting or fishing may be arranged around the business meeting schedule. Ideal for corporate board meetings, getaways and retreats!
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association, Dude Rancher's Association, and Member of Colorado Bed and Breakfast & Inn Keepers Association |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Smith Fork Ranch is located on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. Just 6 miles east of Crawford, many say this town is "the last true cow town" because it has managed to keep its old west character and out-of-the-way charm intact for over a hundred years. While this area of Colorado is certainly off the beaten path, it has much to offer in activities, history and attractions. The ranch is 14 miles from the North rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the country's newest National Park - offering incredible views and hiking around the rugged and breathtaking gorge. As a part of your ranch stay, we can arrange a leisurely hiking or driving trip along the North rim, or for the more adventurous, a spectacular hiking or fly fishing trip into the inner canyon wilderness. True to its heritage, Crawford country and the entire North Fork valley is still peopled by cattlemen, cowboys, farmers and members of the Ute Tribe. Special events in the area during summer and fall celebrate these people and their close connection to this productive land. In June, Aspen hosts the Aspen Food and Wine Festival. July 4th: The nearby town of Paonia hosts a yearly Cherry Festival with local artists, entertainment, PBR Bull Riding, carnival rides & parade. In August the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival yearly celebration of the harvest with local music, artists, crafts booths and all the free corn you can eat. Delta County Fair & Rodeo with stock show, concerts, bull riding; Palisade Peach Festival-Colorado's most productive orchard area celebrates with western music, crafts, a recipe contest and the best peaches you've ever eaten. in September, the Mountain Harvest Festival in Paonia features music from the western slope and culinary events to celebrate the peak of the harvest in the North Fork Valley. Smith Fork Ranch hosts an Annual Culinary weekend in September. Also in September - the Ute Council Tree Pow Wow takes place nearby - featuring traditional Ute Indian drums, dance, artwork and tipi village. |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| First homesteaded in the late 1890's, what is now known as Smith Fork Ranch first became a guest ranch in the 1930's when Grant and Mamie Ferrier brought a group of photographers from California to their home in the mountains. Mamie, who lived in Crawford and is considered the area's foremost historian wrote that "they had traveled to Europe and over the United States, but this was the best vacation they ever had". Within a few years Grant and Mamie had created a thriving guest ranch business with visitors from all over the world. By 1939 they began construction of a lodge, cabins and a restaurant and by the mid-1940's had dug and stocked several trout ponds. Grant, Mamie and their family ran the guest ranch successfully for over 30 years before selling the ranch in the 1970's. Several years ago, the Hodgson family discovered and purchased the ranch which had fallen into neglect and disrepair. With a sense of adventure, a love of the outdoors and an intense interest in the history & heritage of the area, the Hodgson's carefully restored the old ranch,keeping much of its original character. Smith Fork Ranch is a world-class destination in an unspoiled, undiscovered corner of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. |
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