Sundance Trail Guest Ranch - Red Leather Lakes, Colorado

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For a trip that is altogether different and adventurous, you may wish to think about booking a week at a Dude Ranch for your family summer vacation.  The Sundance Trail Guest Ranch in Colorado’s Red Leather Lakes is one suggestion.

Let’s take a look at their summer itinerary.  It’s really quite comprehensive and one that you and your children will absolutely love!

Included in the rates are: six nights lodging and meals, your own horse for a week, all trail rides and instruction.  Also included are: rock climbing and belaying lessons, frisby golf, tomahawk throwing, hiking, fishing, archery, kid’s scavenger hunts, campouts, children’s riding program, horse shoes, animals galore, hammocks, Jacuzzi, and evening campfires and entertainment.

Here is a typical itinerary for one week’s stay based on a Sunday arrival:

• Day One: Guests arrive and settle in rooms; Tour ranch and meet horses and staff; Barn Orientation Class including: Ground Manners, Catching, Haltering, Leading and Tieing; hospitality and appetizers on front porch, supper and ranch orientation,   introduction to Cowboy Poetry, and sunset hike.
• Day Two: Breakfast, barn orientation - "Horse Instincts and Communication," Arena demo and practice (Walk, Whoa, Turn), First ride for skills practice and/or arena time.  Lunch at picnic tables, horseshoe tournament, ride horses into National Forest, to Bubba’s Hill or Lady Moon or Hunter’s Camp or Aspen Canyon, appetizers on front porch, supper, and sunset hike.
• Day Three: Breakfast, horse grooming & tack lesson, ride to Bubba’s Hill or Lady Moon or Hunter’s Camp or Aspen Canyon, Lunch on the trail, 1:30 Rock Climbing Class at Stoney Point Hill, 5:00 Kids cookout and scavenger hunt as well as field games and stories at the fire & sleep-out at tipi.   Adult candlelight dinner offered in the evening.
• Day Four:  Breakfast, horse grooming and tack, Mt. Margaret all day ride,  lunch at Mt. Margaret trail head, ride, hike, play,  appetizers and dinner, evening campfire with s’mores and cowboy singers Lars & Amy Larson.
• Day Five:  Breakfast, all-day rafters leave for the river early, half-day Rafters play on ranch, pack lunches.  Return for fishing, horse shoe tourney, archery, or hiking.  Some rafters stay in town to explore shop and/or enjoy dinner in "Old Town" Ft. Collins after their white water adventure. After dinner, evening is free.
• Day Six:  Breakfast, free morning, lunch and choice of activities, evening dinner, and campfire with Cowboy Poetry.
• Day Seven: Breakfast, arena games, boxed lunch or buffet available, say goodbye!

Note that the children’s programs are designed for kids five years and older.  There is also babysitting available.  Children who cannot ride alone will team up with an experienced rider and stay within the confines of the ranch.  These wranglers are certified by the American Association of Horsemanship Safety.

If you want to truly have a wonderful, exciting, and fun-filled family vacation that is distinctive, unique, and offers lots of adventure for your kids – check out the Sundance Ranch and book early.