Badger Creek Ranch

Is going to a dude or guest ranch on your bucket list? But you keep putting it off because you have little or no horse experience. Then from my experience of going to several ranches I recommend Badger Creek Ranch in CO as the ranch for you. You will be matched with a well trained horse and given instructions on handling your horse from the ground as well as in the saddle. The ranch is located in the Rocky Mountains with the nearest neighbor 15 miles away. You will ride surrounded by beautiful scenery at a walk and trot only. You will get to move cattle on horseback some days. The feel of family with owners Brian and Natalie, Dave and Chrissy, good eating, and fun conversation in a relaxed atmosphere added up to me having a wonderful week at Badger Creek Ranch.

Badger Creek Ranch exceeded my expectations. Nothing "dude" about it. Run by owners and staff who know what they're doing, BCR provides realistic opportunities to work cattle, ride, and get a feel for the life of the American cowboy. Guests can ride the open range, escape modern city life, and enjoy great home-cooked meals served family style at the lodge. The owners of BCR are considerate of earth's resources and live accordingly. It's not an advertising ploy with them - it's their everyday life. This is a working/guest ranch, not a hotel. Great accommodations - clean, quiet, comfortable and pleasantly decorated rooms in the "bunk house" or a glamping-style tent. For the photographer seeking inspiration, a vacationer longing for a slice of different life, or someone who just needs to slow down and soak up the call of a meadow lark or a Rocky Mountain sunrise, Badger Creek Ranch is the place to go. No regrets. No disappointment.

As we arrived we discovered the owner of the ranch have changed in April. No one told us before. Even email was from Susan Hotaling. The welcome was warm and the new owner's two families are very nice. The area around Badger Creek is great there is a lot to see we visited caves, a pond for swimming, buffalo fall and everything on the horses.... .The food was good and there was more than enough on the table every time and you can help yourself in the kitchen every time you need something.At the first riding day you learn a lot about natural horsemanship they practice which was a great experience.They have eleven horses and there is a lot of training to do until they can be called well trained. We controlled the horses through their reins, they do not react on voice or foot commands. The horse gaints was 99 percent walk. Riding times are between 8 am and 5 pm because the horses are out in the open field.On the third day I complained about the riding time, we had 4 hours riding in 3 days and on the last 3 days we had 2 rides a day which was perfect.It was really a great experience riding in Colorado at Badger Creek.

I had the best time ever! I ended up choosing to go solo and I am so happy I did! Chrissy and her team are incredibly knowledgeable and great hosts. I learned a lot about the history of their property, their regenerative agricultural efforts and worked on horsemanship skills. Chrissy is incredible with her animals and a great teacher. Dining with everyone and getting to know the other guests and staff was so much fun. I really found some new family members and am so excited to go back. So many of their guests return as volunteers and helpers and I will certainly be another one. That should tell you all you need to know about the owners and how wonderful this place is. See you all there again soon!

I've visited the ranch twice (2019 & 2020). Both visits were equally enjoyable. Good food & plenty of it. Nature everywhere. You can see forever. So quiet. The sky is huge; full of stars. So serene. And, the people (guests, owners, staff) are all good people; down to earth people; caring people. I'll be going back in 2021.

Fantastic stay! They know how to make you feel like you are family. Great horses, awesome view and the chow is delicious. This was our 3rd trip in four years. Don't pass up at a chance to visit!