Recognized by The Robb Report as one of the 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth and described by Travel + Leisure as 'As good as it gets', Smith Fork Ranch offers an exceptional and unmatched level of privacy, personalization and immersion.
Located just 2.5 hours from Aspen and Telluride in the heart of western Colorado, the ranch is a private, buyout-only retreat designed to feel like your own luxury ranch.
The vision behind Smith Fork Ranch was to create one of the most unique and meaningful hospitality experiences in the world, and, as a private, bespoke, all-inclusive experience, they welcome only one group at a time.
Each stay is fully customized around guest preferences in cuisine, activities and entertainment, creating the rare feeling of hosting a group on a private luxury ranch.
From the moment you arrive, the entire property and dedicated staff are exclusively yours.
Set within a private inholding and surrounded by over one million acres of National Forest, the ranch offers complete seclusion in a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river valley.
This historic guest ranch blends rugged natural beauty with refined comfort, making it an ideal retreat for families, leisure travelers, and corporate groups seeking both privacy and connection.
The property features a collection of carefully appointed historic log homes and lodges, thoughtfully refreshed in 2025 by an AD100 design team to honor their heritage, while offering luxurious modern comforts. A full ranch buyout includes up to six accommodation buildings, totaling 17 bedrooms and accommodating up to 30 guests.
Each day unfolds as a curated adventure in the wilderness, followed by a return to exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality and restorative accommodations.
As an exclusive use, private, buyout only property, Smith Fork Ranch allows every detail of the experience to be tailored.
Located in Colorado’s renowned 'banana belt', the ranch benefits from nutrient-rich soil and an extended growing season. The culinary team sources ingredients from regenerative local farmers, nearby ranchers and the ranch’s own garden, creating a true farm-to-table dining experience. Menus are thoughtfully designed in collaboration with each group to reflect individual preferences, dietary needs and always the best of the season.
Smith Fork Ranch also welcomes guests of all ages. Younger guests are invited to experience the ranch through their dedicated kids club with age-appropriate activities and crafts designed around their interests.
With a herd of over 20 horses, the ranch also offers a personalized riding experience, thoughtfully matching each guest with a horse based on personality and riding ability.
Good time to go
A great time to stay at Smith Fork Ranch is May through October, which is their full operating season.
The ranch is open exclusively during these months, when weather, activities and access are at their best, allowing guests to enjoy the complete ranch experience, from outdoor adventures to river time and family programming.
Children at the Ranch
Great for children aged 0 and over
At Smith Fork Ranch, children are welcomed as part of the experience and their Roughstock Kids’ Club is included during your daily guided activities.
The program is led by dedicated kids’ wranglers and has been designed as tailored, age-appropriate adventures, with many ranch experiences thoughtfully adapted for younger guests.
If you need coverage beyond Kids’ Club, additional childcare can be arranged as needed.
Kids’ Club activities include outdoor adventures, like horseback riding, archery, hiking, fishing, field games, wildlife and bug exploration, river exploration, scavenger hunts, and wilderness hide and seek.
Hands-on craft offerings include bubble making, piñata crafting, tie-dye creations, nature painting, ice cream and popsicle making, horse treat making, a rocket launch craft, flower crafts, and story creation and performance.
Minimum age children can ride
1 and over
Arts & Crafts
play-doh, coloring, sketching, bubble making, piñata crafting, tie-dye creations, nature painting, ice cream and popsicle making, horse treat making, a rocket launch craft, flower crafts, and story creation and performance.
Activities
hiking, biking, picnics, outdoor play area, cookouts, whitewater rafting, floating, supervised swimming
Games
scavenger/treasure hunts, board games, horseshoes, pool table
Baby Sitting
From age 2 to 17. Hourly cost $$50.
Baby Sitting Provided By
If you need coverage beyond Kids’ Club, additional childcare can be arranged as needed.
Ranch History
Smith Fork Ranch has deep, authentic ranching roots. The property was originally part of the Bar X Bar Ranch, founded in 1928 and several of the historic log cabins date back to that era.
Over time, those original structures were carefully restored and the ranch evolved into the refined, all-inclusive guest experience it is today, while keeping its Western character and sense of place.
Today’s legacy: Smith Fork Ranch remains a family-owned luxury destination that still reflects its roots. The architecture, landscape and hospitality honor the land’s history, while the experience and service reflect a modern, elevated sensibility, giving guests the rare combination of authentic ranch life and five-star comfort in a private, wilderness setting.