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!
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.
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.
|