Colorado Dude Ranch - Trout Fishing in Colorado - This colorado guest ranch was started primarily as a first-class fishing lodge. It is without doubt, a fisherman’s paradise and the fishing here is second to none.

Fishing on our private
stretch of the Conejos River

Your Hosts: The Van Berkum Family
P. O. Box 458 - 1484 FDR 250 - Antonito, CO 81120
Phones: 800-633-3397 // 719-376-2440 - FAX: 719-376-5659
Email Address: rainbowtroutranch@earthlink.net

Introduction to RTR || Your Ranch Hosts

Rainbow Trout Ranch is the perfect Colorado dude ranch for both adults and children. Exceptional horseback riding, superb Colorado fly fishing, awesome children’s programs, fun teen program, trapshooting, swimming, day trips to Taos, white water rafting and the chance to ride America’s highest and longest narrow-gauge steam train. Located at 9000ft in the spectacular Conejos River Valley in the southern Colorado Rockies we are surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest and border the San Juan Wilderness, giving us about four million acres to ride in!

The Main Lodge

View from the overnight cliffs

We raise horses ourselves as well as being competitive ropers, therefore we take our riding program very seriously with plenty of fun thrown in. You will have a wonderful horse of your own, perfectly matched to your ability and you will soon become close friends.

You will delight in the atmosphere of our magnificent lodge and your own western aspen log cabins. A timeless and historic ranch, we are within easy access of Alamosa, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs or Denver.

There is something for everyone here at the ranch and guests of every age have a great time—even those reluctant teens end up begging their parents to come back! Here at Rainbow Trout Ranch you are not a customer but a cherished guest welcomed into this magic corner of Colorado we call our own. There is no cooking, cleaning or organizing. Just simple enjoyment in the true pleasures of a top quality Colorado dude ranch. Savor our delicious home-cooked meals family style in the lodge or at a poolside barbecue or by the river’s edge.

Introduction to RTR || Your Ranch Hosts

The Van Berkum Family

We think our location is ideal. In this alpine setting, summer temperatures are near perfect, with warm, sunny days and cool evenings. Ponderosa pine and aspen are in abundance, and a countless variety of wildflowers decorate the meadows. The ranch rises to over 10,000’ at the north end before it drops down into the river valley. Over a mile and a half of trout-rich river winds through the ranch and horses often graze the banks and nearby meadows, providing a view from the lodge that is breathtaking. Some impressive waterfalls are within an easy ride, as well as several small creeks and lakes.

Guest ranching became a tradition for the Van Berkum family in the late eighties when David went to wrangle on a ranch in Montana and Rachel took a job helping in cabins on a Colorado ranch. Doug and Linda visited them both and pretty soon, guest ranching was in their blood. A few years of searching for just the right place led them to the Rainbow Trout Lodge in southern Colorado, long famous for its amazing lodge and superb fishing. They changed the name to the Rainbow Trout Ranch, bringing the focus onto both the exceptional fishing and riding. Now going into their sixteenth season, theystill love to share the western lifestyle and beautiful scenery that surrounds them.

Howdy! Welcome to the Rainbow Trout Ranch. It is the perfect Colorado guest ranch experience for families, couples or a mix of both. Come share the magic of being on a great horse in spectacular country. Or pulling a 25 inch rainbow trout from our private stretch of a glorious Colorado river...

Learn more about us here on our site--maybe watch the video and email for a brochure.
Or please just give Jane or Linda a call and we will be happy to answer all your questions, and help you design a fabulous Colorado dude ranch vacation at Rainbow Trout Ranch.
Come share the magic with us... The Van Berkum Family

DRA MEMBER RANCH HORSE SAFETY CERTIFIED AND
ADAPTIVE FIRST AID FOR THE TRAIL CERTIFIED