Open from June through October, this luxe family destination will leave you wanting for nothing as you disconnect from daily life. You’ll relax on a ranch and gorge on locally sourced meals. Fun fact: The menu changes every single night — and is prepared by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained executive chef.
Stay in one of four Adirondack-style cottages, take a Zen-filled yoga class or try shooting at sporting clays. Horseback riding is fun for all ages and, if you’re wary, take a quick lesson to get rid of beginner jitters.
Parents can also get some much-needed kiddo-free time with the ranch’s children’s outdoor program. Tailored to age groups ranging from toddlers to teens, activities include meeting barn animals (they’ll find out just how stinky horses can be), going on mountain hikes and participating in rodeo events like barrel racing and pie eating. (Maybe the adults will want to try pie eating, too!)
What makes it special?
Although the Leavell family has owned the ranch for nearly 50 years, the site has welcomed guests since the late 1870s (when it was just a bathhouse built over hot springs). Today, guests can soak until they are prunes in private indoor and outdoor pools fed by those very same toasty hot springs.
The most Colorado thing about this place
Names on the four cottages surrounding the lodge reflect the area’s silver mining history. All of them — The Commodore, The Amethyst, The Holy Moses and The Molly Ess — are named after local mines, which you can learn about at the nearby Creede Underground Mining Museum. Local lore says miners called out “Holy Moses” when they hit a mother lode.
Quirkiest thing to expect
The little tikes in your family will be treated like royalty at the ranch with a dedicated and impressive kids’ menu. From tiny, gourmet French toast (slices of buttery brioche bread topped with warm maple syrup and powdered sugar) to seared salmon served with creamy, whipped potatoes and crunchy broccoli, your babes will thoroughly enjoy each meal.
Our favorite traveler review
“My husband and I were so excited to try a ranch for a special vacation. We could not have been happier with our decision. The management team along with the staff were amazing and made our experience over the top. The natural beauty along with no TVs and WiFi in our cabin rooms made you appreciate your surroundings and company. The chef and the food were over the top. I have no doubt we will be back again and look forward to trying new things.” — Deborah H., Tripadvisor
What you’ll find nearby
Just 11 miles from 4UR Ranch, the small town of Creede boasts boutique shops, art galleries and delicious restaurants that are perfect for a day trip. Or, see yellow, spiked volcanic formations (think stalagmites but coming from the ground, not a cave) at the Wheeler Geologic Area; be sure to get advice before you go, however, as traveling there can be a bit tricky. Did we mention that the ranch is just downstream from the headwaters of the Rio Grande? The massive river starts as a wee trickle in the San Juan Mountains, making it the perfect spot for a guided fishing experience.
Photos courtesy of 4UR Ranch
