Rainbow Trout Ranch

Rainbow Trout Ranch sits at 9,000 feet in the Conejos River valley near Antonito, in the far south of Colorado close to the New Mexico border. It is a third-generation family ranch, run by the Van Berkum family, and its private stretch of the Conejos, more than a mile and a half of river with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, gave the ranch its name.

The season runs from June to September, with six-night stays and room for about 60 guests. The ranch owns more than 100 horses and breeds and trains its own Quarter Horses, and the riding program covers beginner rides, faster rides, cattle work, team penning and a ranch rodeo; trail riding starts at age 6. Fly fishing, trapshooting and archery, rafting, hiking, pickleball, swimming and evening hayrides and dances fill the rest of the week, and children’s and teen programs run in age groups from 2 to 17. Adults-only weeks are scheduled during the season.

Guests stay in log cabins with covered porches and a fireplace in the living room, sleeping four to eight. The lodge keeps coffee, tea and snacks out all day, and the ranch is bring-your-own for alcohol. Durango Airport is about 76 miles away and Santa Fe about 106 miles. Ask the ranch for current rates.