Just the Facts.
A Fact Sheet About Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado
Here’s everything we could think of that you might want to know. But if we missed something, don’t hesitate to ask!
Location
Clark, Colorado is the closest town and the ranch sits on 540 acres in the middle of Colorado’s Routt National Forest. Nearest stoplight is 25 miles away in Steamboat Springs.
Elevation
7,720 feet
Seasonal Dates
Summer/Fall: June – October; Winter: December – March; Closed: April/May and November
Guest Capacity
Family times: Up to 60, Adult-only times: ~30
Staff to Guest Ratio
With 65+ staff in the summer months and 50+ staff in the winter months, the ratio is greater than 1:1.
Accommodations
12 private log cabins with hot tubs on each deck and 3 lodge rooms. All are named after local mountains, lakes, and rivers.
Summer Activities
Horsemanship clinics, trail riding, hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, paddle boarding, archery, Saddle Up & Stretch sessions, photography workshop, cooking class, and wine tasting.
Winter Activities
Cross country skiing (backcountry, skate and classic), snowshoeing, horseback riding, sleigh rides, tubing, photography workshop, archery, ice fishing, beer tasting, cooking class, and wine tasting.
Kids’ Programs
Buckaroos (3-5), Kids (6-10) and Tween (11-13) programs are available in the summer and winter months, except during Adult-Only weeks. The fully supervised programs include hayrides, horseback riding, treasure hunts, campfires, panning for gold, painting horses, and swimming and then in the winter, we have skiing, sleigh rides, sledding and more. The Teen Program (14-17) focuses on extensive horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, teen-only movie night and camp out and is offered only in the summertime. Teens are always welcome to flex into adult or kids’ activities to join in with siblings or parents.
Guest Profile
Families and couples from all over the United States, with concentrations from California, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Florida. Numerous guests from overseas, largely from the U.K. and Germany.
Guest Return Rates
~60%
Special Facilities
The large indoor riding arena allows for more intensive clinics and riding instruction, summer and winter. The seasonal pool, Bill’s Workshop, and Game Room are fun spaces to splash, create and gather on the Ranch.
Cuisine
Vista Verde’s talented executive chef Jonathon redefines western “cowboy cuisine’ with gourmet meals that range from hearty breakfast burritos and honey wheat pancakes and caramelized apples to regionally themed lunches and three-course, formal dinners with paired wine.
Average Annual Snowfall
350 inches
Starry Nights
At the Ranch, the night sky steals the show with endless stars, crisp mountain air, and the kind of quiet only found far from city lights.
Horses
Vista Verde is home to a herd of over 100 horses. The horses are fed roughly 360 tons of hay every winter, and dine on fresh grass all summer. The herd goes through over 1,300 horse shoes each summer!
Local Critters
Besides horses, the Ranch is home to mouser cats and ranch dogs, but you have a good chance of seeing moose, elk, coyotes, deer, fox, marmots, bald eagles, and even a black bear – if you’re really lucky. Our petting zoo is a very popular destination for the kids featuring goats, rabbits, chickens and more.
Wine List
Chef Jonathon has a list of over 150 wines that has been recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence for several years running.
Green View Ranch.
Tidbits
Vista Verde Ranch’s name translates to “Green View Ranch” which perfectly describes the property in the summer months.
Originally part of the Homestead Act, the main hub of ranch was proved up, and Loren Blair and John Hay received their deed to the property in 1919. From then it has grown and today Vista Verde Ranch sits on roughly 600 acres. It is surrounded by the 1.1 million-acre Routt National Forest. Most of our hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and summer horseback rides explore these remote areas.
Fun Facts About Our Colorado Dude Ranch
Animal Population
Over 100 horses, including mares and foals and a team of draft horses. In the winter, they consume more than 250 tons of hay. 4 dogs and 4 cats round out the animal herd.
Furniture
Many cabin furnishings built from ranch wood by Bill Backer, who also heads up our maintenance.
Firewood Used
896 cubic feet per year
Most Unusual Photo Shoot
A Denver Broncos Cheerleader calendar
Oldest Cabin
The Homestead, built in 1936. The Homestead has hosted 6 weddings and at least 2 marriage proposals since 2002.
Most Unusual Guest Gift
A case of frozen Chicago stuffed pizza sent to staff as a thank you.
Guest Job Offers to Staff
Frequent, including pharmaceutical sales, engineer and equine veterinary supply sales.
Most Frequent Visitors
Our guests get to enjoy a complimentary visit on their 10th stay, and we have many guests who are on their 3rd round of comp stays- over 30 visits!
Horseshoes
Our farriers go through ~1,300 horse shoes a year keeping our horses’ feet healthy and protected.
Favorite Guest Perk
10th visit free
Most Visits per Year
A couple from San Diego, CA, who visited the ranch four times in one year.
Longest Distance Guest
Singapore
Shortest Distance Guest
Steamboat Springs
Staff Marriages
Average 1 per year
