Lowdown

  • Established

    1903. Guest ranch since 1934

  • Owner

    Randy and Barb Sloan

  • Manager

    Randy and Barb Sloan

  • Tel

    970-625-1473 or 800-858-3046

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)

    $210 - $215

  • Nightly Rates (per child)

    $115 - $135

  • Minimum Stay

    Summer: 2 days
    Winter: 2 days

  • Maximum Guests

    32

  • Works with travel agents?

    Yes

  • Great For

    Romance, Action & adventure, Peace & quiet, Diverse scenery

  • Memberships

    Ranch Web Ranch Vacations Colorado Dude Ranches Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Colorado Outfitters Association

Experience the Rocky Mountains at a small year round Colorado guest ranch, nestled in a beautiful valley on a pristine mountain lake in western Colorado. Coulter Lake is located 20 miles north of Rifle, Colorado in the White River National Forest which is home to incredible natural beauty and abundant wildlife. The Coulter Lake Guest Ranch staff is focused on providing a unique experience that you, your family, and friends will always remember.

Good time to go

May through September, enjoy all our summer beauty and activities

Fall is hunting seasons

December through March, enjoy our winter beauty on snowmobile, cross country skis, snowshoes

Open all year round!

Children at the Ranch

Great for children aged 1 and over

Children of all ages are welcome.

Children ages 6 and up are welcome to come along on the trail rides. We do have pony rides available for the children that are under 6 years old.

Supervised children prongrams are available by request.

Activities

hiking, picnics, outdoor play area, cookouts, floating, supervised swimming, Pony rides, Trail rides

Games

board games, horseshoes, volleyball, Corn hole, pedal boats, canoeing

Baby Sitting

From age 1 to 17. Hourly cost $10.

Baby Sitting Provided By

Book in advance

Environmental & Social Practices

Environment

Up here in the beautiful Colorado Mountains at 8100 feet elevation we are off the grid. Rest assured ! We do have the comforts of electricity. We provide all our electricity using renewable energy. We have a state of the art solar system and our rocky mountain spring water turns our hydro generator.

Community

Coulter Lake Guest Ranch is 20 miles north of Rifle, Colorado. Coulter Lake was actually established before the town of Rifle. It has long been an icon of this Colorado river valley.

Conservation

Coulter Lake Guest Ranch is located in the White River National Forest, so practice and teach, leave no trace.

Ranch History

Coulter Lake was built by the CCC camps (Teddy Roosevelt era) in 1903. This lake was built to be a fish hatchery because of the perfect rocky mountain spring water that was fed into the lake. The fish hatchery was eventually moved down stream and the Guest Ranch was built at the lake in 1934. It has since been host to many people from all over the world to enjoy the western rocky mountain beauty of Colorado.

Lowdown

  • Enjoy

    Ranch-style

  • Meals served

    family style, buffet style, meals roll with days activities, everyone eats together, scheduled meals

  • Alcohol

    BYOB

  • Enjoy dining in

    nature settings, patio, dining room (casual attire)

  • You'll definitely love

    ranch-raised beef, ranch-raised pork, ranch garden, locally grown produce

  • Dietary restrictions catered for

    vegans, vegetarians, Gluten free

All meals are served family style in our dining room at the main lodge. When the dinner bell rings through the rock mountains, everyone comes runin' because they know there is something delicious coming out of the kitchen.

BYOB

Your Chef, Chef Hector Santiago

Navy vet of 22 years

Muliple Culinary Arts

Lowdown

  • Address

    80 Co Rd 273
    Rifle
    Colorado
    81650
    USA

  • Remote Location

    Yes

  • Elevation

    8100 ft

Nearest Town - Rifle

Rifle is situated 20 miles / 15 mins from the Ranch.

Nearest Airports

Grand Junction Airport , Grand Junction

Distance

81 miles / 1 hour 45 mins

Ranch shuttle

$100 for Grand Junction Airport

Lowdown

  • Type of Riding

    Western Riding

  • Riding opportunities for

    Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced

  • Guest Horses

    TBC

Our Riding

Guided rides

Our wranglers will lead you through all the breath taking country available in the White River National Forest. The amazing aspen groves, views, and wildlife will surely rejuvenate your soul.

Riding considerations

no riding experience needed

Why our riding stands out

  • Each guest is matched to one of our excellent mountain trail horses based on their riding abilities and goals
  • Our wranglers will lead you through all the breathtaking country available in the White River National Forest. The amazing aspen groves, views, and wildlife will surely rejuvenate your soul.
  • With daily trail rides, our guests can see the Colorado Rockies like no other way. All-day lunch rides going through valleys with beaver ponds and trout streams are available.

Lowdown

  • Nightly Rates (per adult)

    $210 - $215

  • Nightly Rates (per child)

    $115 - $135

  • Minimum Stay

    2 days

  • Style of accommodation

    Ranch rustic

Coulter Lake Guest Ranch can cater for up to 32 guests. See below for details and indicative rates.

Cabin | Brookview

Rates (Per Person)

$210 - $215

Minimum Stay

No minimum

Description

The cabins were built between 1934 and 1950 and each cabin has a sitting area where you can relax at the end of the day, a private bathroom with shower and a front porch, with incredible views of the lake and mountains. All but one cabin has a fireplace and all have heating systems as well.

Rooms

1

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

seating area

Cabin | Woodland

Rates (Per Person)

$210 - $215

Minimum Stay

No minimum

Rooms

1

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Amenities

seating area

Booking Policy

Coulter Lake's summer season starts May 21st and runs through Labor Day.

Summer season stays are based on 2 to 7 night stays

Summer Package Rates include: all lodging, meals, horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, trout fishing in our pristine lake and all evening activities. Flexible days to fit your schedule.

Arrival for all packages is 3pm with departures at 10am; call ranch to make other arrangements.

Guests interested in other packages please call the ranch to make other arrangements.

Contact us if you'd like to bring your own horse. Boarding fee is $25 per night per horse (which includes outside stall, water & hay). Certified hay is required. Guide service available, please call ranch for details.Fall/Winter/Spring season rates are based on nightly lodging.

Included in your stay

meals, activities, lodging, Riding

Extras

Tax

All applicable taxes and fees will be added to the final bill.

Gratuity

Gratutities will be left to the descretion of each guest.

Other

White water rafting on the Colorado River Day float trip on the Colorado River Golf at the beautiful 18 hole Rifle Creek Golf Course A day at the hot springs & spa in Glenwood Springs Winery tours near Grand Junction Adventure Park and Caverns in Glenwood Springs Guided fly fishing trips Snowmobile guide service is available, please call ranch for details

Lowdown

    Onsite

    Outdoor Activities

    Golf - 18 hole course, campouts, bird watching, Shooting - trap / clays, Shooting - wing, wildlife observation, hiking, fishing, horseshoes

    Water based Activities

    hot springs, river floating, whitewater rafting-adventure, Hot springs, swimming, boating

    Winter Activities

    snowmobiling, down hill skiing

    Fishing & Wildlife

    Try fishing on our lake stocked with rainbow trout. There is plenty of room for avid fly fisherman or kids trying to catch their first fish. There are other fishing opportunities with nearby streams with brook trout, mountain lakes, or the superb trout rivers of the Colorado or Frying Pan Rivers.

    Fishing on offer

    fly, river, lake, stream

    Local Attractions

    Golf at the beautiful 18 hole Rifle Creek Golf Course

    Rifle Creek Golf Course provides some of the most breathtaking views and two unique experiences on the same course.  Their front 9 is fairly open and an easy walk for all ages and abilities.  The back 9 offers unforgettable views and elevation changes as it winds through the hills.  There is no other course like it!

    Distance

    14 miles / 45 mins

    Highs

    • They are pet-friendly and welcome guests' dogs and horses
    • There's a horse for everyone of any level and there are daily trail rides, lessons available and you are matched with your very own for the week
    • They are open year-round and have many exciting seasonal activities available
    • There's no cell service, email or TV so you really get a chance to disconnect and enjoy a tech-free vacation

    Lows

    • As there's no cell service, email or TV, those who need to stay connected may feel too isolated
    • Although there are no mini-fridges or coffee-makers in the cabins, guests can enjoy snacks and drinks up at the lodge instead

    Visitor Reviews

    Dont just take our word for it, see what visitors like you say...

    My Brother's Wedding Venue

    WOW! This place is gorgeous. They offer horseback trail rides, they have a beautiful lake stocked for fishing, canoes, you can swim, hike, play horse shoes etc. Friendly doesn't begin to describe the staff. The are so helpful and accommodating. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Do be advised there is NOOOOO internet or cell service but that is part of the wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place. My 12 year old daughter loved it as well.

    5 stars

    You can find more reviews for Coulter Lake Guest Ranch on TripAdvisor