Wolcott’s vast expanse of rolling alpine pastureland will make you feel like you’re in Colorado’s Old West past, not just a quick 30-minute drive from uber-luxurious Vail. Head to 4 Eagle Ranch for a dude-ranch experience that’ll make you feel like singing campfire songs.
The ranch itself has all the views — layers upon layers of grassy-green hillsides and mountainous domes, cerulean-blue skies painted with fluffy white clouds and splashy sunsets so bright they look like pink-tinged flames.
Whether you want to stay overnight at The Homestead House (the property’s original family home) or glamp outside in modern Colorado style, your stay will feel idyllic. There’s lots of wide-open space peppered with fire pits you’ll love gathering around, and — no surprise — it’s a popular wedding spot.
From its guided fly-fishing trips to its zip line adventures (we’re talking high-flying zipline fun!), not to mention its exciting 4x4 and Jeep tours, this spot's activities are anything but standard.
Don’t worry, though. You’ll also have access to the old ranchin’ classics, like clip-clopping along a grass-lined trail while perched on a gorgeous horse, line dancing the night away like a true cowboy or even taking a wagon ride to dinner. In winter, enjoy a tantalizing sleigh-ride dinner that’ll leave you sated after cruising around in cozy blankets.
It’s definitely Collective Vail's glamping sanctuary. Here you’ll find canvas tents outfitted with antler chandeliers, plush furnishings and even electricity that brings new meaning to “the great outdoors.” Plus, you’ll enjoy ranch-to-table dining options like the chef’s daily frittata and locally sourced trout.
When it comes to dude ranches, nothing’s cooler than enjoying a truly Western experience. That’s why we love the Wagon Ride Dinner. Load up in a rustic horse-drawn wagon for a scenic ride around the expansive property before savoring a filling meal with cookout favorites like slow-cooked ribs, roasted chicken and thick slices of fruit cobbler. Then, toe-tap to live music, roast marshmallows around a campfire, play corn hole and horseshoes — or best of all — try your hand at steer roping.
It’s sitting around a blazing campfire and staring up at the night sky so lit up with sparkly stars that it could make a gemologist weep.
“We had eight adults and four little ones, ages 5 to 7. It is hard to say who had the best time. The sleigh ride under the stars was beautiful and the food, especially the chili, was divine. I even got to sing a song with the wonderful guitar-playing cowboy.” — John B., Tripadvisor
Pop over to Vail Mountain for its world-famous back-bowl skiing in winter and, in summer, Epic Discovery’s shriek-inducing ziplines and alpine coaster. A sampling of Vail Village’s decadent culinary scene is in order, too — gold-star foodie establishments you gotta try include spots like Vintage, Mountain Standard and La Tour. Or meander over for a summer event like Bravo! Vail Music Festival and Hot Summer Nights.
This seven-day itinerary will give you lots of low-impact travel ideas for Colorado’s Vail Valley
Photos courtesy of 4 Eagle Ranch
