The Spread:
Tucked into the Elk River Valley about 45 minutes from Steamboat Springs (in an area where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once roamed), Vista Verde, a luxury dude ranch, melds western authenticity with elegant touches. Three lodge rooms and nine private cabins accommodate about 40 guests. Cabins, decorated with western art and handmade log furniture, have one to three bedrooms. Each cabin has its own deck hot tub, great for private relaxing under a star-filled sky at the end of the day.

Why Families Love It:
Life at Vista Verde is for families with kids age six and older. It begins with a welcoming hayride and is followed by a week of family fun. Many ranch activities are shared experiences for parents and kids; others allow both groups to have time with peers. In the daily kids' program (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., included in weekly rate), ages six to eleven try gold panning, race boats in the creek, settle into the teepee for powwows, and study animal tracks, or maybe help feed the ducks and chickens and pet the baby bunnies. There are daily kids' rides and family rides can be arranged.

Teens (age 12 and up) have their own program of horseback rides, tubing down the Yampa River, rock climbing, hiking, and an overnight on which they learn "survival" skills.

In addition to the excellent riding program, guests take advantage of biking and hiking on trails that range from easygoing to challenging; experienced guides are available. Vista Verde also offers quality indoor experiences for adults, including a hands-on cooking class and wine-tasting session with the Executive Chef.

Special Events & Activities:
The final evening of each week is a special one, starting with a ride to a dinner cookout on the hillside overlooking the Continental Divide. Back at the ranch, enjoy an evening of camaraderie around a roaring campfire.