RAINBOW TROUT RANCH
SEVERAL GENERATIONS of the Van Berkum family host visitors with a hearty greeting as they arrive at Rainbow Trout Ranch. The ranch is located in a remarkably remote canyon in southern Colorado, about a five-hour drive from Denver (or half that time from Santa Fe). This five-star property is on the Conejos River, a gold medal trout-fishing river, flowing from the South San Juan Wilderness toward the great San Luis Valley. Surrounded by forest in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the property has been operating as a fishing camp or guest ranch for more than a century.
In addition to standard dude ranch fare of fine horses, magnificent trails and fresh trout, guests can take a ride on the nearby Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the highest narrow-gauge steam train in America. The train crosses several high mountain passes along the border with New Mexico and runs between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico. The ranch isn’t far from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, definitely worth an early morning visit (before the sand gets too hot).
Back on the ranch, the Van Berkums lay out a fun weekly schedule, with a theme for each day (think “Tenderfoot Tuesdays,” “Scenic Sunrise Wednesdays” and “Boot-Scootin’ Thursdays”). Rainbow Trout is known for its kids programs, which keep young ones outdoors, o devices and learning skills on a horse they ride all week. rainbowtroutranch.com