Fly-Fishing Fun
Looking to spend a peaceful day by the stream, surrounded by nature and sounds of rushing water? Try your hand at fly-fishing — it’s a perfect way to get everyone out on the river. Cast your line into the crystal-clear currents of the Elk and Yampa rivers as gentle ripples break the surface and revel in the anticipation of a catch, whether you’re an expert angler or a beginner. This peaceful guided activity offers a chance to connect with nature and each other.
Cross-Country-Ski & Snowshoe Adventures
Breathe in the crisp mountain air as you glide across 9 miles of groomed Nordic trails on cross-country skis or set out to explore powdery paths while snowshoeing. Certified instructors guide you down smooth, snow-blanketed routes while allowing kids to build confidence as they go — a testament to the family friendliness of this dude ranch. Snowshoeing brings its own pleasures, with adults leaving crisp impressions in deep snow and kids wandering along neatly packed paths suited to their pace.
Gilpin Falls Hiking Trail
Visiting Vista Verde in the warmer months? Don’t miss Gilpin Falls, a short, low-intensity hiking trail perfect for all ages. Along the way, kids can climb low boulders, toss stones into the cloud-mirrored water or glide their fingers across the smooth surfaces of sun-warmed rocks. The trail’s highlight is a misty hidden waterfall, sure to spark wonder and excitement — which are exactly the kind of feelings you’re looking for on a family dude-ranch vacation.
Wintry Snow Tubing
Channel your playful side with your kids through the rush of snow tubing. Bundle up in winter pants and coats, and feel the brisk air tingle against your cheeks as you and your family zip down soft, glistening descents. Guides on snowmobiles whisk you effortlessly to the top of the hill, leaving you free to focus on the laughter echoing around you. This fast-paced fun blends the thrill of speeding down the incline with moments of connection and joy for all ages. Whether it’s your first time tubing or a tradition you love to revisit, the exhilaration never gets old.
Scenic Paddleboarding Near the Mountains
Even though your phone won’t have service, bring it along to capture stunning photos while your family enjoys stand-up paddleboarding (aka SUP). Drift across a high-alpine lake, where the water twinkles under the sunlight and rugged peaks rise dramatically against the sky. Surrounded by mountain vistas and a sense of serene stillness, it’s a scene so awe-inspiring you’ll lose track of time. While your arms and abs might feel sore from paddling the next day, the breathtaking scenery and treasured memories will make it all worthwhile.
Restorative Massage Therapy
After a day of hiking winding trails and fly-fishing in shimmering waters, those tired muscles are just proof of all the fun you’ve had. But every family ranch vacation should come with a break from all the action, especially when that means treating parents to soothing massage-therapy experiences. In a cozy room with soft lighting, calming aromas and skilled hands melting away every ache, relaxation takes over. Vista Verde’s licensed massage therapists are here to help you recharge, relieving tension and refreshing your body for whatever’s next on the itinerary.
Vista Verde’s Kids & Teens Programs
While parents enjoy some well-deserved “me time,” kids can jump into Vista Verde’s Kids & Teens Programs, offering playtime and opportunities to learn for toddlers through teens. Little ones ages 3 to 5 can cuddle and giggle with resident animals at the petting zoo or get creative with hands-on pastimes curated just for them.
Older kids race against the clock in scavenger hunts and laugh with friends as they practice their riding skills. Tweens take the reins herding cows across wide-open pastures, feel the rhythm of horseback riding along peaceful trails or paddleboarding across sparkling water.
As for teens, they trade the glow of their screens for the glow of a campfire under starry skies, setting out on overnight campouts or taking on age-specific challenges inspired by the ranch’s adult experiences.
In the winter, the good times keep rolling with tubing down powdery hills, snowshoeing through frosted landscapes and more in the Winter Kids Program. Honestly, it’s no wonder Vista Verde is a top dude ranch for families — every snowy day has something fun waiting to be explored together.
Off-the-Trail Entertainment
If you’re looking for a family guest ranch that keeps the festivities going on and off the trails, Vista Verde has you covered with its own take on “rest and relaxation,” or as they call it, VVR&R. After each day of crossing excursions off your family’s to-do list, wind down with something special come nighttime. Kick up your heels at a barn dance with live music, or cozy up by a crackling campfire roasting marshmallows under a starlit sky. Prefer something quieter? Stretch out and lounge by the calm of the pool.
