Travel West For A Luxurious And Historical Weekend Getaway
Sprawling across two states, historical conservation meets Western luxury at Three Forks Ranch
Photos courtesy of Three Forks Ranch | The lodge blanketed in snow with the ranch’s private ski hill in the background.
Three Forks Ranch’s 280,000 acres straddles Colorado and Wyoming, with the Little Snake River carving through the valley and ranch. Owner David Pratt purchased the ranch in 1997 and embarked on the largest privately funded river restoration project in U.S. history with world renowned river morphologist, Dave Rosgen, to return the Little Snake to its origins. The work was done by the Army Corps of Engineers. The result: 26 pristine miles of gold-medal waters teaming with trout, and the same landscape and resources that attracted centuries of Native Americans and pioneers.
From cattle drives to trail rides, horsemanship through multiple disciplines is a core activity at Three Forks Ranch.
The ranch’s surrounding rugged wilderness is also grazing land for thousands of mammals and birds. In 2008, Pratt built an exquisite lodge and began developing wellness experiences around Western ranching and sustainability. Most any Western activity you can dream of is offered at Three Forks Ranch, such as horseback riding and cattle drives; 3D archery; sporting clays; hiking; mountain biking; wildlife tours and photography expeditions; snow sports; a culinary program; a kitchen academy; and wellness classes.
ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE
The keystone activity of Three Forks Ranch is fishing the Little Snake River. The fly-fishing program provides an expert guide for every two guests on the private waters of the river or wading through high mountain lakes on the vast property. Come winter, there’s still fishing on the oxbows of the Little Snake and ponds for ice fishing.
Majestic and uncompromised views from Three Forks Ranch.
HISTORY OF HORSES
Ranching has long been part of Three Forks’ history. From cattle to sheep, the ranch is rich with nutrient-dense resources for agriculture.
There are 8,500 head of cattle, and that’s a whole lot of wrangling. At Three Forks Ranch, guests help move the cattle each year during the summer and fall. The ranch’s cowboys and cowgirls host an interactive horse program, with cattle managers on hand for education.
Guests can also partner up with a wrangler for a trail ride through the Routt National Forest, with hundreds of miles of forest to explore.
WILDERNESS TREEHOUSES
New to the ranch in 2022, 12 wilderness treehouses (cabins perched among the trees) overlook the lodge and offer surrounding views. The posh suites include a sitting room, bedroom and bathroom with dual water closets and sinks. And each morning, a basket of pastries and fruit is delivered to each treehouse via a dumbwaiter.
Three Forks Ranch is a mostly adult-only, year-round escape, aside from the winter season (when children celebrate with adults in ranch activities) and a children’s week each October. The six-bedroom Cardinal Lodge is available for multigenerational families with children and includes a hot tub, private chef, additional staff and a theater.
The main lodge is home to 15 luxury guest rooms and suites, all furnished with opulent décor and fine art.
PRIVATE SKI HILL
With fire mitigation and conservation in mind, hundreds of lodgepole pine trees needed to be removed from a hillside on the ranch in 2012. Believing his guests would benefit from a ski hill, Pratt turned the hillside into a 23- run wonderland of groomed trails for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Heated snowcats can accommodate 20 skiers at a time, and each group has a private instructor for the terrain of their choice.
ALL-INCLUSIVE SPA AND WELLNESS CENTER
The expanded wellness program at Three Forks Ranch now fits into 22,000 square feet of sustainable and luxury-oriented space. In 2019, the innovative center partnered with the Mayo Clinic. Starting in 2024, the ranch also offers longevity and wellness retreats.
The spa provides everything from massages and facials to scrubs and detoxes. Spa services are included in the price for ranch guests. This is the only true all-inclusive spa experience at any Western luxury ranch in America, according to the National Dude Ranch Association. There is also a no-tipping culture at Three Forks; the price per night includes gratuities for staff, and there is no tipping for activities.
The hydro spa is a guest favorite and a rarity in the Rocky Mountains.
THE BAND IS BACK
New to the ranch in 2024: a private concert series for guests only! There will be 40 concerts throughout the year in either the lodge’s Great Room or outside (when weather allows) featuring artists such as Wynonna Judd, Martina McBride, Clint Black and the Brothers Osborne.
Whether you plan for a Three Forks Ranch stay of three, four or seven nights, you will never have enough time to explore the multitude of sports, health and wellness care or culinary programs in one visit. In addition, each season brings different opportunities for activities and regional cuisine.
Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer for outlets such as Cowboys & Indians, Newsweek, Family Vacationist, Colorado Lifestyles, Spoke + Blossom, and USA Today. She is always in search of fields, farms, forests and forages. She has three children, two pandemic pooches and an avid outdoorsman husband.
