The Leavell Family Home. As you enter the Guest Ranch, there is a large home on the left, with a smallish granny unit and garage behind. This is the owner’s family home, where Pete and Lindsey spend their summer and are often joined by their children and grandchildren. This is their private space, so please refrain from saying “hello” until you see them at the lodge or about on the ranch!

The Spa and Poolhouse. Next to the pool is the pool house, where the restrooms and locker rooms are located, as well as the sauna. Also here is the building we call “Little Medicine,” where our rooms for massage treatments are located. Need a rub down after a couple days on horseback? Just let us know.

Soak away all cares in our spring fed hot pool.

The Hot Springs. Also adjacent to the pool, the natural mineral springs located on our property are pumped into this covered pool area.

The Main Lodge. Here, you will be greeted each morning with a blazing fire. You can also reconnect with the outside world here via newspapers and wi-fi access. However, we recommend simply going with the flow and enjoying the camaraderie of new-found friends. After a day of fishing or riding horses, there’s no better place to kick back before dinner. Just off the main great room is an inviting bar, as well as a game room, both with breathtaking views of the valley.

The Ranch Cabins. This is where you will be staying during your dude ranch vacation. The rooms in our various lodges on the ranch property are spacious and inviting. There are large porches for morning coffee and evening aperitifs, while enjoying the scenery.

Come back next blog for more about the buildings you will see around the ranch.

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Porches wide enough to take in the landscape

Use this time to relax and reconnect with your romantic partner. Soak in our natural mineral hot springs with a cold beverage. Sun bathe at the pool and have a couple margaritas during our Mexican luncheon. That’s right – have a ‘rita in the middle of the day. The kids are at home, remember?

Sleep late or wake up early – there’s no one counting on you but you! We have luxurious, private lodging with wide porches for you to take in the scenery with your coffee. Take hikes together and pack a picnic. Find quiet and private corners of our ranch for the two of you to explore.

Try something new together – like fly fishing or skeet shooting. Have sensational meals, every day, with a full bar and quality wine list. Does this sound like a dream come true?

Adults only week is also a great time for groups or family to plan a get together. Want to do something unforgettable with your best girlfriends? How about a horseback ride through the beauty of Southern Colorado, finishing with a gourmet BBQ steak dinner in the open wilderness? Have some wine, cheese, crackers and deliciously crafted food from the grill, all the while catching up without a concern on your mind.

Maybe you need to reconnect with your sister who lives five states away. Or your mother, who grew up on a ranch but hasn’t been on horseback in a decade. Maybe you and your father grew up fishing together – rekindle those precious moments with a vacation at 4UR Ranch.

Contact us today to book your dude ranch vacation.

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In this post, we continue to identify what makes 4UR Ranch not only one of the best dude ranches in Colorado, but one of the best nationwide.

Fly Fishing in Private Tailwaters

The 4UR Ranch has several fishing locales: trophy ponds, wilderness lakes and the Rio Grande River. However, the crown jewel of our fishing water is Goose Creek, which is one of only a few entirely private tailwater trout streams in the American West. Dedicated stream management and our strict catch and release practices make 4UR fly fishing truly special. 20+ inch trout are caught almost every week.

Spacious and Inviting Lodging

We have a variety of lodge and cabin style accommodations on our guest ranch.

Enjoy a rustic cabin with all the luxuries to make your stay sublime.

We deliver hot coffee each morning, and at night when the air is cool, you will feel cozy and comfortable in quality bedding. The showers have lots of hot water, delivered with plenty of pressure. Spacious porches invite you to sit back, relax and take in the views.

Spectacular Children’s Programs

This is not your typical summer camp regime. While we do offer arts and crafts (hey, we all enjoy some pipe cleaner sculptures and lanyard key chains) we have a lot more than just a bit of horsemanship and flag football. Here are some of the specialty kids activities that keep our young guests saying: “The day we arrive at 4UR Ranch is the best day of the year!”

• Tree houses
• Fort building
• Fly fishing school
• Campfire and hayride cookout
• Hike to dinosaur mountain
•  Scavenger hunt
• Kids Rodeo
• Robin Hood adventures
• River raft making
• Pool parties
• Kids overnight sleepover
• River raft race

Make sure to book your trip to 4UR Ranch for summer 2013 or 2014 soon!

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“My dream, if I could live there, I would die HAPPY” – Shafqat Ayaz

When our kids see [the Welcome to 4UR] sign they cheer ‘Yeah! It’s our favorite day of the year!’” – Amy Dempsey

“Just discovered you guys ~ MUST plan a family trip out to see you!” – Family Fresh Cooking

“I miss this place SO much!!!” – Laurie Kirkpatrick Revard

“Awesome fly fishing there” – Craig Weisenberger

The Ranch House circa 1946.

“looks amazing! Jealous of my family coming in september…of course they leave the little college student behind! but do not worry i will be back! Have a safe rest of the winter!” – Maggie Ringenbach

TripAdivsor Reviews for 4UR Guest Ranch

By the way, we have 12 reviews, all of them 5 out of 5 starts. Just sayin’.

“A first-class experience in every respect. Handsome buildings and grounds, kind, thoughtful staff, outstanding fishing, and some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable. We noticed the little things too–everyone smiles and says hello, coffee is delivered quietly every morning, and leaves are swept instead of blown. These touches, plus amazing food, made our time at the 4UR truly special. We’re looking forward to returning the first chance we get!” – Jordan, visited September ’12

“Took advantage of their 3 night package in mid-September. 15 minutes after we arrived it seemed the entire staff knew our names. They do all the little things right. Fished one day with a guide and was glad I did. Goose Creek is not all that big but the fish are large, strong and wily. Still we still managed to put over a dozen in the net with the largest around 22 inches.
Even if you are not a horse person, set aside some time for a trail ride – Damon and his wranglers are top notch and the trail up the mountain offers amazing views. Quiet this time of year, mostly adults as the kids are in school. Great time to relax, enjoy the beautiful colors of fall and just forget reality for a little while. We will be back!” – Abqeddie, visited September ’12

See the rest of our five star reviews on Trip Advisor. Then, give us a call and book your visit to Creede!

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Here are some of the highlights from her piece about 4UR Ranch:

“If you’ve never wound your way through the beauty of the Rio Grande National Forest to the century-old 4UR Ranch, you’ve let one of Colorado’s last perfect places escape you. Tucked into a slender valley between palisades and the Rio Grande River, the ranch’s meadows, ponds, pastures, roving fences, and meandering creek melt into the well-manicured grounds that encircle the main lodge and surrounding guest cabins.

“The 3,000-acre ranch has been in the Leavell family for more than four decades, but Pete and Lindsey Leavell are

Owners Mary Lee (Leavell) Pinkerton, Pete and Lindsey Leavell.

today’s stewards. They live on the grounds during the summer, greeting guests with hugs and having a glass of wine in the lodge’s small bar in the evenings. Gregarious and lovably quirky, the husband-and-wife team—along with longtime ranch managers, a trained chef, the head wrangler, and other affable staff—has created an upscale summer camp atmosphere that caters mostly to families from early June through the end of September each year. While the kids are horseback riding, exploring nature, and playing games, the adults can enjoy their own vacation. It’s a setup that has generations of families coming back year after year.

“The weeklong, all-inclusive retreat begins in earnest on a Sunday morning and spills over six full days filled with horseback riding, fly-fishing on private sections of Goose Creek and the Rio Grande, a ranch cocktail party, a chuckwagon breakfast, a steak ride dinner, a kids rodeo, and a fish fry.

“Executive chef Wray Warner could likely make cowboy stew into a gourmet meal, but in 4UR’s kitchen he turns out seasonal cuisine that makes chowtime a thrice-daily event to look forward to.”

We are so honored to be featured by 5280 Magazine and complemented by their glowing review! See the whole of  Koehler’s article online.

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Here is just a small sample of the cuisine we offer:

Starters

Foreman Kyle pouring wine before dinner.

Roasted Beet Salad with endive leaves, feta cheese, lemon vinaigrette.
Butternut Squash Soup with apple salsa.
4UR Salad with mixed greens, cranberries, honey pecans, cornbread croutons, balsamic vinaigrette.

Entrées
Seared Diver Scallops with hominy, charred sweet corn, tomato-jalapéno broth, pineapple pico.
Grilled Rack of Colorado Lamb with goat cheese polenta, wilted greens, lemon-rosemary jus.
House Smoked Tenderloin of Beef with potato purée, petite green beans, red wine demi-glace.
Pan-Roasted Breast of Chicken with toasted quinoa, roasted peppers, zucchini, golden raisins, preserved lemon jus.

Artichoke Cannelloni with artichoke hearts, goat cheese, truffle béchamel, parmesan.

4UR Ranch’s Chef Wray Warner

Desserts
Chocolate-Chile Gateau with white chocolate ice cream, raspberry coulis.
Banana-Ginger Spring Roll with salted caramel dipping sauce, roasted banana ice cream.
Housemade Sorbet selection.
Ice Cream vanilla, chocolate, coffee, mint chocolate chip, strawberry or rainbow sherbet.

If you are celebrating a special occasion, make sure to let us know! We also need as much advance notice as possible to accommodate diners, so make sure to contact the guest ranch as early as possible.

More delectable items from the 4UR Ranch menu.

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The Stephen Quiller Painting Workshop

June 1 – 7

This is the third year that world-renowned painter Stephen Quiller has held a workshop at 4UR Ranch. Quiller is most known for his use of color, color theory, and his approach to water media painting. Artists worldwide use Stephen’s products and books, and his work is now collected internationally.

Stephen Quiller also has a gallery in the nearby town of Creede. But during this workshop, he will be at the ranch, giving one-on-one instruction and advice on painting landscapes. And 4UR Ranch is a perfect place for inspiring panoramas.

Adults 2-For-1 Week

August 31 – September 7

While 4UR Ranch is without a doubt an amazing place for family dude ranch vacations, it is also a luxurious getaway for couples, friends traveling together or a fellas fishing trip.

If you have some time before the summer ends, get your closest friends and enjoy the spacious lodging and scenic beauty of 4UR Ranch and take advantage of a special 2-for-1 rate on all adult guests.

We have gourmet dining, an extensive wine list and even golfing at the nearby Rio Grande Club, a spectacular 18-hole championship course. This first class club has a reputation as one of the finest courses in the southwest.

Take a long soak in our natural hot springs with a glass of wine, or, soak up the sun by our pool. Each week we do a poolside Mexican luncheon with Coronas and margaritas.

Whatever your preference, we hope that you will come and experience 4UR Ranch – once you’ve been here, you’re family!

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Gourmet Cuisine

Whether you are out on the trail for the steak ride or inside the dining room at our lodge, the food at 4UR is hearty, delicious and above your expectations.

Always save room for dessert at 4UR.

If you are having dinner in the lodge, enjoy ice-cold beer and fine wines. Classy salads with ingredients like blue and feta cheeses, endives and summer beets will grace the menu. For entrees, try fresh fish dishes, juicy steaks and creative vegetarian dishes like Artichoke Cannelloni.

Our al fresco dining is also gourmet. No bologna sandwiches here! While on the steak ride, you can enjoy wine, beer and spirits at dinner, as well as fine cheeses and crackers, baby greens for salads and other decadent add-ons for your burger or steak. Want a bleu cheese burger? No problem! This is dining at 4UR Ranch.

Natural Hot Springs

100 years ago, the property where our dude ranch is today was the Wagon Wheel Gap Hotel. Named for the narrow slip of maneuverable land between the palisades to our north and the banks of the Rio Grande, the railroad dropped visitors at the bridge across the Rio Grande where they were shuttled to the hotel.

They were drawn to the “healing waters,” that bubbled out of the ground here. The historic building that housed soakers stands on the ranch, shaded under massive cottonwood trees.

Our guests still soak in these relaxing natural hot springs, abet in a new building, near the pool. Whether or not they are healing, we don’t know, but they feel wonderful during a chilly evening.

There are, of course, other reasons that 4UR is a luxury vacation destination. We will keep sharing in later posts.

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We couldn’t manage our ranch very well without our property foreman, Kyle Michaels. Kyle came to the ranch as a summer staffer in 2003 and fell in love with the ranch. Now Kyle is our jack-of-all-trades and keeps the place in tip-top shape.

And Kyle couldn’t do all this without his lovely wife Kate. Kate is also part of our staff in the summer as head of housekeeping. They met here at 4UR Ranch and were married at station #10 in 2007. What romance!!

Welcome to the 4UR Ranch family Ruby Mae!

Now, they’ve expanded their family by one with the birth of daughter Ruby Mae Michaels. She came into the world on October 15 of 2012. We wish them congratulations! We are sure our head wrangler Damon Gibbons will have her up on horseback by the summer!

Interested in a Family Horseback Riding Vacation?

We weren’t kidding about putting the littlest of our staffer’s kids up on horseback. Many of us grew up on horses since an early age and know that even the youngest children can enjoy a few circles around the arena in their parent’s lap.

We have horsemanship and horseback riding programs for children ages five and up. Don’t worry, we have docile and mellow mounts for your youngsters. These horses live for pleasing the children and consider it an honor to carry the smallest guests. And yes, I feel perfectly confident speaking for the horses!

Every morning we round up the kids around 9:30 and keep them engrossed in horse activities until lunch. First we teach them basic horsemanship in the arena, then they can hit the trail for adventures from the saddle!

Make sure to contact us as early as possible if you want to visit 4UR Ranch this summer with your family, as about 75% of our guests re-book for the following summer.

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The closest town, Creede, is seven miles away and is little more than a mining ghost town that has re-invented itself as a summer arts tourist destination. The year-round population is about 400 souls. Next closest town is South Fork, which is 14 miles away with a population of 600. We are off the beaten path and we like it that way! Because of our location, we can provide quiet and serene luxury guest ranch vacations with stunning wilderness surrounding us. This remote location also provides us with some of the best fly fishing in Colorado, as our waters are one of only a few entirely private tailwater trout streams in the American West.

All of these conditions make for a little piece of heaven during the summer months, but during the winter, the weather can be extreme. Just a few days ago, the temperature at the ranch was -24 degrees. That’s right, it’s been cold and wet as the snow blankets everything in it’s landscape- changing pristine whiteness.

Our guest ranch is a winter wonderland!

Wanna Stay in Touch with 4UR Guest Ranch?

We invite you to like 4UR Ranch on Facebook. We post pictures and news from the ranch year – round. We also find it’s a great way to stay in touch with our former guests and staff. They share stories and pictures from their summers here and everyone enjoys reminiscing!

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