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    America's Ultimate 5-Star Family Dude Ranch
  • Horshoe RTR Wagon Wheel

    A Golden Walk Through Time

    Our historic and timeless backcountry piece of Southwest Colorado was settled by the Spanish in the 1600s and their legacy still lives figures very prominently here today. The RTR ranch is located near several historic Spanish land grants, while the river flowing through the ranch is named the Conejos—the Spanish word for rabbit – pronounced “kon-eh-hos.”

    Spanish Conquistador Coronado by Frederic Remington, 1861–1909

    Spanish Conquistador Coronado by Frederic Remington, 1861–1909

    Ranch History Gallery

    Ute People: Chief Severo and family

    Ute People: Chief Severo and family, ca. 1899

    Our Colorado dude ranch is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains in the Rio Grande National Forest and the South San Juan Wilderness. To the east is the fertile San Luis Valley and the Sangre de Cristo mountain range dominated by majestic Mt. Blanca, over 14,000ft high and the fourth highest peak in Colorado. There are great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the San Luis Valley from our backcountry and Notch all-day rides. The towns nearest the ranch are Antonito, CO to the east and Chama, NM to the south, both reflecting the influence of Spanish culture.

    Preceding and interwoven with the local history of the Spanish is that of the Indians, whose tribes have included the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapahoe and Kiowa. Early cliff dwellers made their homes to the south and west of the ranch, followed by the Pueblo Indians. In fact, the remarkable Taos Pueblo is just an hour and a half from the ranch while Mesa Verde is three hours to the west.


    Panning for gold

    Thar’s Gold in Them Thar Hills!

    In the 1870s the relative tranquility of the area was shattered by the discovery of gold and silver. Miners flocked to the region and numerous small towns were quickly erected. In the mountains north of the ranch are the remains of Platoro, Jasper and Stunner. Most such towns were abandoned early in the 1900s with the demise of the local mining industry.

    More lasting than the mining business was the railroad which was built between Antonito and Chama, in part to serve the miners. Thanks originally to the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, this line still operates in the summer for sightseers, including our ranch guests.

    Old photo of the main lodge

    “Colorado men are we, from the peaks gigantic, from the great sierras and the plateaus, from the mine and from the gully, from the hunting trail we come, Pioneers! O Pioneers!” ~ Walt Whitman

    Old photo of the main lodge

    By the turn of the century, the ranch was a noted fisherman’s paradise and soon a private fishing club was established for a select group of sportsmen. Cabins were built and by the mid 1920s construction began on the lodge, which was the largest log structure of the time. Built with local Engelmann spruce, it is said that not a single nail was used in the entire 18,000 square foot structure—just wooden pegs. It was truly the showplace of the Rockies, and happily remains so today.

    In the late 1920s the door was opened to the public as a guest ranch with extraordinary fishing. As time went by it developed a fine reputation for providing unexcelled family vacations. We are very proud of that tradition and are dedicated to its continuation.



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    Trip Advisor Dude Ranch Certificate of Excellence 2017
    Trip Advisor Dude Ranch Certificate of Excellence 2016
    Trip Advisor Dude Ranch Certificate of Excellence 2015
    Trip Advisor Dude Ranch Certificate of Excellence 2014
    Dude Ranch.com Signature Ranch
    American Quarter Horse Association
    Conejos River Anglers
    Colorado Dude Ranch and Guest Association
    Dude Ranch.com
    Dude Ranchers Association
    Dude Ranchers' Educational Trust and Western Museum
    Everybody Swing!

    From two stepping to line dancing, barn dances to square dancing, we do a little bit of everything, and more, when we hit the dance floor!

    Wild, Wild… Rags?

    Wild rags, or scarves, have been a staple of the cowboy attire for years. Jane has been a trendsetter at Rainbow Trout Ranch, and many have jumped on the bandwagon — including me!

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