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KidSmart Vacations: Horseback riding, roundups, campfires, Levi's, and family style dining-no wonder kids love dude ranches. Western style vacations have become so popular that some guests actually pay to work as ranch hands! |
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| Just voted "Best Dude Ranch" in the United
States. Aspen Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado, is celebrating its 50th
birthday this year and has lots of experience turning young and old
kids alike into dude ranchers.
"Aspen Lodge is a quality ranch and a quality family experience," said Jim Borsk, of Seattle, Washington. "We highly recommend it!" Located just 7 miles from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen Lodge is nestled on 80 acres of tree-studded mountain property. Against a backdrop of snowcapped peaks, ranging from 8,500 feet to more than 14,000 feet high, the resort is picture-perfect. A typical week at Aspen Lodge for older kids, ages 11 and up, includes mountain bike riding, rock climbing, and other adult-oriented adventures. For children ages 6 to 12, the program includes listening to Indian tales, going on nature walks, making ice cream, seeing how the early pioneers lived, and learning how to take care of a horse. Also, on Saturday afternoons in July and August, children star in their own Wild West movie and get to take home a video as proof!
Although the ranch environment is casual, Aspen Lodge is by no means a rough experience. Featuring one of Colorado's biggest log lodges, along with 23 cozy cabins, the facilities are topnotch. Food is excellent. During the summer, BBQ's and marshmallow roasting are standard fare, accompanied by cowboys singing. Aspen Lodge offers three, four and seven-night packages on its American plan during the summer. Prices vary, but a four-day package for one adult, double occupancy, is $550; children 3 to 12 years, $345 each; and under 3 years, free. Horseback riding is extra. There are several off-season, value packages that start as low as $79 per day. |
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With
thousands of acres of open meadows and national forest, horseback
riding here is a true joy. Riding is open to children as young as
8 years old, with pony rides for younger guests. Lessons are available,
as are breakfast rides, western roundups, and cowboy suppers, along
with fishing, racquetball, tennis, and swimming.