Dude, Where’s my Ranch?
One of our intrepid contributors, Mari Chazen, just got back from Black Mountain Ranch, a working cattle and dude ranch in McCoy, Colorado between Vail and Steamboat Springs.
Mari rode, swam, fished, and rafted for one heavenly week which her 6 and 9-year-old kids describe as the “best vacation ever”.
Here’s a little bit of what she had to say about the trip:
The Place
“The ranch is over 1,000 acres with pastures full of horses, 3 fully stocked ponds, gardens, heated swimming pool, hot tubs, and (my personal favorite) the Saloon with a full bar, pool table, ping pong, music and foosball. There is a roping arena, barn and stables, petting zoo for the children, and a main lodge and dining room where you enjoy your meals.”
The Activities
“Black Mountain Ranch has 85 horses and takes care to place you with one that has the appropriate disposition. The river rafting was class three, and perfect for all skill levels with stunning scenery. There is an overnight pack trip as well, and both spin casting and fly fishing.”
The People
“The owners and wranglers are what make this place so special. The ranch is family-owned, and the wranglers are mostly college students from all over the country—many of them were guests when they were younger. Spending time with them made it pretty clear to my husband and me that 1) we play beer pong “the old fashioned way”, 2) they don’t dance like we used to dance, and 3) we’re not 21 anymore.”
Want to read Mari’s full review of Black Mountain Ranch? Of course you do.
October 6th, 2008 | by Jamie Pearson 10 comments
1. Jennie C. on October 7th, 2008
Oh my goodness – this is my dream vacation. Google maps says it’s only a 22 hour drive from my town!!!! I wonder how long it would take on horse back?
2. Rebecca on October 7th, 2008
Dude, where’s my plane ticket? :)
3. Lorie on October 7th, 2008
Wow! What a great place!! I cannot wait until my kids are a little older so that we can take a great vacation like that as a family!
“Dude, where’s my plane ticket?” Bwaahaha funny!
4. Rancho Pete on October 7th, 2008
I’ve heard of this ranch. Fine group of folks run it and the facilities are top-notch.
I need to investigate the beer pong comments.
5. Ambajam on October 7th, 2008
What a great vacation idea. So glad I subscribed to your blog :) Please stop by and say hello.
I would love it if you’d consider subscribing to my feed. :)
http://feeds.feedburner.com/ambajam
6. Sara on October 7th, 2008
Great blog! I found you through the Twitter Mom’s Blogging Mom’s group. The vacation sounds great, love that part of the country. :)
7. Carolee Hazard on October 7th, 2008
Mari – That sounds absolutely FABULOUS! we’ve been thinking about a family reunion at a ranch, so thanks for the review! Did you do the overnight, you crazy camping gal, you??
8. Laura on February 6th, 2010
hey Mari,
can you answer more questions on Black Mt.? Can’t find any reviews on Tripadvisor. Do you know why? Also, good place for teens and older kids? 20, 18 and 15? Thanks for help. Do you have to do rafting trip?
9. Mari Chazen on February 7th, 2010
Hi Laura: I sent you a more detailed response in my email to you but just in case others have the same question…yes! Great place for teens, plenty to do if they enjoy the outdoors and all of the activities offered. Wranglers who run ranch and take you on all rides are all college age….and great fun. We still keep in touch with them. No, you absolutely don’t have to do any activity you do not want to do — they will work around your desires to plan the perfect week. Good luck! Oh, and I am not sure why it isn’t written up on TripAdvisor…
10. Katie on May 4th, 2010
Hi Laura,
Just saw your message on finding a guest review on the Black Mountain Ranch…check out the Dude Ranchers’ Association website at http://www.duderanch.org..you will find a couple of reviews for the Black Mountain Ranch on their “more information” page at http://www.duderanch.org/ranches.cfm?id=74&src=2
This is a great website for finding other great dude ranch vacations as well!
10 Responses to “Dude, Where’s my Ranch?”