Rainbow Trout Ranch is a truly magical and special place! There is horseback riding, fly fishing, white water rafting, hiking, and more all set within the breathtaking landscape of the Rocky Moutains! The Staff and Family who run the ranch are some of the kindest individuals I’ve ever met, and go above beyond to make your stay comfortable and fun! It’s a great trip for both adults and kids, as my kids left signing songs and telling stories about hay rides and bonfires. This is truly a unique family place that I hope to visit again soon!
There are not enough superlatives to describe Rainbow Trout Ranch. The property is amazing, the staff is top notch, the food is delicious, and the entire Van Berkum family is just incredible. Yes, it is a splurge, but I promise you it is worth it! You are made to feel as though their home is your home. Meals are plentiful, varied and just so yummy. As a wife and mom, not having to plan, cook or clean up meals for a week was a priceless gift and one of the best parts of my week! The meals at the pool & by the river were fantastic as well. The best part was watching my children blossom and relax while away from their electronics and stress of every day life. They bonded with their horses, who were “theirs” all week, and had so much fun in the kids’ programs that we barely saw them every day! Our cabin was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of hot water and even firewood for our fireplace. The mountain air made the walk up the hill to it a challenge at first, but we acclimated after a couple days. The care and thought this family puts into their horse program is stunning. You can see the love they have for the horses in everything they do. The rodeo at the end of the week was such fun! My daughter cried for nearly a week after we left. She missed her horse (Mustang Sally) and the wrangler she bonded with so much (Bailey). Doug, Linda, David and Jane are such special people, and they have truly created a special place on this earth that is like no other. I feel privileged to have been able to experience it, and I urge anyone reading this to take your family ASAP. You will make beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.…
Exceptional service, clean, friendly staff and an amazing family vacation for everyone! Their horse program is top notch with safety at the forefront!! Wranglers, housekeeping and wait staff are full of great energy and make you feel so welcome from the moment you walk in. Hey Howdy Hey!! Beautiful surroundings with delicious food to fill you up for a long time. For sure, a destination for all. Looking forward to going back!
Where to start? First and foremost, this was a 17-person family vacation spanning 3 generations (2 parents, 3 siblings, 3 spouses, and 9 grandchildren). It was the ULTIMATE family trip. The people at this ranch are AMAZING! After a week, you feel like you are leaving family. It hurts to go home! I want to give a special shoutout to Doug, Linda, David, and Jane, who run a tight but wonderful ship. I also want to thank the amazing Housekeeping Staff, Kitchen Staff, Fishing Guides/Maintenance Crew, and Wranglers. I could mention many by name, but I would inevitably leave someone out. I LOVED the riding. I also loved the fishing, kids activities, and the food. What makes RTR so great, though, is all the personal touches. By the end of the week, you feel like you are friends with everyone. I also enjoyed getting to know the many other guests. Long story short, if you are interested in a truly Religious/Spiritual experience, RTR is IT! As other guests say on the YouTube videos, "This place is good for the Soul." I just got home yesterday, and I am already planning my trip for next year. Being at RTR for a week makes me want to quit my job as a lawyer and become a full-time cowboy. I'm not ashamed to admit it...I got a little teary-eyed the night before we left. It was a truly wonderful experience for me, my wife, and our two children.…
We just returned from a week at RTR. Five stars does not do this place justice. The Van Berkum family is truly special and one can see that they love what they do. From riding horses to fishing to the great program for kids and teens, RTR has it all. Having stayed in some of the finest hotels in the US, the personalized service at this ranch beats all of them. From the moment you arrive, they treat you like family. Jane and her staff at the barn know not only your name, but which horse you are riding. The cabins are rustic but well-appointed. The food was great and there was something for everyone. No review would be complete without mentioning the hospitality of Doug Van Berkum and his penchant for filling your coffee mug and making "the perfect s'mores" - according to my kids. We are already planning our visit next Summer and now understand why families return to RTR year after year.…
Words cannot express the experience our family had at RTR. The owners, Doug & Linda Van Bracken are on site 24/7 leading a staff that offers 1st class service. We truly received what we paid for...and more. Our family of 17 range in age from 6-73, We all rode horses, fished, sang, went swimming, had a hayride and more. I highly recommend.
We just returned for our second summer and it was still so hard to leave. The horse riding/program is just amazing. They are such a wonderful, welcoming family. Hope to return for many many years to come. You will not be disappointed! Great staff, cabins, meals, kids program…!!
I went to Rainbow Trout Ranch with my daughter, who loves horses. The ranch is family run with a strong attention to personalized service. The staff knew our names when we walked in the door and went out of their way the whole week to make us feel welcome. Despite the name, the ranch is really focused on horseback riding, which my daughter very much enjoyed. They cater to all levels and assign you a horse for the week that is a good match for you. The horses are extremely well trained and the horseback riding program is a well-oiled machine. My daughter did some trail rides and saw elk, a moose, and a baby bear. She also got to trot and test her limits a little bit. I focused on fishing. They have a private 1.5 mile stretch of the Conejos River which is very beautiful and full of trout. The ranch offers guides, but only for a day during the week depending on guest demand. That was fine with me, as I caught all of my fish solo. I landed 29 Brown Trout and 7 Rainbow Trout for the week, which I was very pleased with. Fly fishing was a little challenging during our week as the river was flowing fast and there were no bugs hatching, so I only hooked a few fly fishing. Most of my fish were caught casting lures. All were released. The only negative on the fishing was that there were a surprising number of mosquitoes down by the river, so I got bit up a little bit. However, it was well worth it. Every trout was like a painting. They offer other activities including white water rafting, trap shooting, and hiking. We really just focused on horses and fishing. My daughter enjoyed the teens program and all the other families there were very pleasant. Every aspect of the operation is extremely well run and the staff is very attentive. I would not hesitate to recommend Rainbow Trout Ranch to anyone looking for a family vacation in the outdoors.…
We had 5 cruises canceled during the Covid Pandemic.... We decided to do something different, and this is what we choose. The vacation could not have been better, Staff and the Van Berkun's made us feel like royalty and treated us like one of the family. Food was delicious and activities always keep us entertained. Before we left, my wife said the we need to come back in 2022... And we are! doc
Rainbow Trout Ranch is everything you've hoped for in a get away vacation. The total experience is wonderful. The staff takes care of everything you need to escape, or get back to reality, as you view it. The lodging is very comfortable and everything is spotless. The food, delicious and plentiful, is served family style. The Conejos River running right through the property is peaceful and filled with trout - riffles and pools are plentiful. The trail riding is a horseman's dream. Located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains, you can find easy trails, steep rugged adventures, and rivers to traverse, or you can sit on the deck in a rocking chair and read the day away. You can get to know your fellow vacationers, and end up with long time friends. Or, you can hibernate and enjoy the solitude of nature, as you wish. We've been visiting the RTR since 2011, and haven't found another ranch experience to equal. For those with children, there are dedicated wranglers leading children's programs throughout the day. The children have a great learning experience with each other, and the adults have their own quality time. There is evening entertainment, and daytime activities right at the ranch, but if you desire, the area has many activities to enjoy. Alamosa, CO has some wonderful restaurants and shopping. Moffat is home to a wonder hot springs spa. Antonito has a narrow gauge train round trip between Chama, NM. The National Desert Sand Dunes monument is not far, and Taos, NM is within two hours.…
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