Smith Fork Ranch
Full view
View all photos(88)88
Room & Suite (12)
Dining (5)
View prices for your travel dates
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View allDid you already book this hotel?
About
5.0
#1 of 1 ranch in CrawfordLocation
4.8
Cleanliness
4.9
Service
5.0
Value
4.6
Smith Fork Ranch is a private Rocky Mountain ranch nestled in a serene river valley, protected by majestic alpine peaks. We offer all-inclusive group vacation experiences personalized to your preferences. Enjoy miles of private fly fishing, explore endless hiking trails, meander through aspen groves on horseback, and indulge in the area’s excellent wineries and culinary delights from local orchards, farms, and livestock ranches. Despite the seclusion of the National Forest, The Smith Fork is less than a half-hour from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, The Grand Mesa, and other natural treasures. Return to your historic log home and relax riverside, or around the fireplace, while enjoying craft cocktails and gourmet fare. Experience luxurious accommodations in a pristine natural setting, carefully tailored to your group. We limit the Smith Fork Ranch to one group at a time, ensuring you experience it as the private ranch you’d imagine for you and yours alone.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Yoga classes
Bar / lounge
Archery
Boating
Babysitting
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Fitness classes
Personal trainer
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Hiking
Horseback riding
Skiing
Bicycle tours
Billiards
Darts
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Board games / puzzles
Highchairs available
Airport transportation
Car hire
Meeting rooms
Spa
Concierge
Laundry service
Room features
Fireplace
Kitchenette
Microwave
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Luxury
Location
45362 Needle Rock Rd, Crawford, CO 81415-9114
Getting there
80Reviews1Q+A27Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 78
- 0
- 2
- 0
- 0
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
Our extended family has been on some epic adventures but nothing matched the standout service at this ranch. The team was professional, low key, friendly, constantly on the lookout for ways to be helpful. All of us, age 9 months to 84 years were so well taken care of! The food was absolutely delicious, catered to our specific tastes. The activities were plentiful, fun and diverse. The setting was spectacular. The lodgings were perfect, including the common areas. A+++!!!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I are always looking for new places to explore in Colorado. This time, we decided to spend a long weekend at a guest ranch. However, we didn't want to rough it; we wanted "rustic luxury" with excellent cuisine and wine. Our search led us to Smith Fork Ranch in the western Colorado Rocky Mountains. Although the ranch is secluded, we were impressed with the up-to-date rooms with private baths and modern amenities, as well as the high-speed wireless internet. The only thing one does need to know is that cell phone service at the ranch is close to non-existent.
The staff, however, is SFR's greatest asset. General Manager Jim Nielsen shared his passion for fly-fishing with us. Rachel, KT, and Ciara matched us up with horses for a day-long trail ride on the ranch, into the neighboring national forest and along the streams. Jess made arrangements with Gunnison River Expeditions for us to go white water rafting on the Gunnison River.
Dinner was a relaxing four course meal on the porch, with Chef Seth introducing us to his creations. SFR prides itself on working with local producers, so everything was fresh. Cheeses come from a local goat farm. Cider is provided by a local merchant. They have their own garden, but it was too early in the season to yield any produce, so local organic farms filled in. Holly introduced us to the wineries. We discovered that they are the best kept secret in Colorado, since the vineyards are small and the wines stay local.
We expected our stay at SFR to be "Old West." What we got was an adventure, an education, and a gourmet experience all rolled into one. It's a discovery we would like to share.
The staff, however, is SFR's greatest asset. General Manager Jim Nielsen shared his passion for fly-fishing with us. Rachel, KT, and Ciara matched us up with horses for a day-long trail ride on the ranch, into the neighboring national forest and along the streams. Jess made arrangements with Gunnison River Expeditions for us to go white water rafting on the Gunnison River.
Dinner was a relaxing four course meal on the porch, with Chef Seth introducing us to his creations. SFR prides itself on working with local producers, so everything was fresh. Cheeses come from a local goat farm. Cider is provided by a local merchant. They have their own garden, but it was too early in the season to yield any produce, so local organic farms filled in. Holly introduced us to the wineries. We discovered that they are the best kept secret in Colorado, since the vineyards are small and the wines stay local.
We expected our stay at SFR to be "Old West." What we got was an adventure, an education, and a gourmet experience all rolled into one. It's a discovery we would like to share.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2011Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was an extraordinary and phenomenal vacation and if we could give Smith Fork Ranch (SFR) 6 stars out of 5, we would. The activities (horseback riding, fly fishing, archery, clay shooting and spa) were so much fun and made even more so by the outstanding and incredibly attentive and accommodating guide staff (Levi, Alex, Paul and Lewis) and wrangler staff (Stacy, Hannah, Eve and Kayla). From the moment we arrived, Courtney and Casey (front of house?) made us feel so at home and welcomed us with open arms – we felt like part of the SFR family.
Every request was met with a smile and “we can make that happen.” If you wanted the moon they would have lassoed it for you. Even the smallest detail was attended to, like a pot of coffee magically appearing in our house every morning.
We rode almost every day on horses that we so very well cared for and on some of the most beautiful trails imaginable. The wranglers made sure that we were all comfortable with our horses and assigned horses that matched our skill levels and personalities. You could tell that they put al lot of thought into selecting the right horses for everyone in our group.
Being new to fly fishing, after a few days we walked away having learned a fun new sport (that we will definitely try again soon) and pictures of lots of fish that we caught! The guides were great and took us out on the river in waders – it was a zen-like experience.
The food was just outstanding and a match for any 4 star restaurant. At breakfast, lunch and dinner we were offered a variety of choices and enough to satisfy any appetite. The chef (Marcus) and his staff were very accommodating and baked a special cake to help us celebrate our son’s birthday. It was a great surprise for him. Everywhere he went that day, everyone wished him a happy birthday. The service and bar staff (Taylor, Dylan, Chelsea and Mike) were outstanding, making phenomenal cocktails and just taking such good care of us all around. And what a great wine selection, we had so much fun trying different wines at dinner every evening.
We could go on and on raving about SFR, but what is really telling is that as we sit here writing this review, we are trying to figure out when we can get there next – very soon.
Every request was met with a smile and “we can make that happen.” If you wanted the moon they would have lassoed it for you. Even the smallest detail was attended to, like a pot of coffee magically appearing in our house every morning.
We rode almost every day on horses that we so very well cared for and on some of the most beautiful trails imaginable. The wranglers made sure that we were all comfortable with our horses and assigned horses that matched our skill levels and personalities. You could tell that they put al lot of thought into selecting the right horses for everyone in our group.
Being new to fly fishing, after a few days we walked away having learned a fun new sport (that we will definitely try again soon) and pictures of lots of fish that we caught! The guides were great and took us out on the river in waders – it was a zen-like experience.
The food was just outstanding and a match for any 4 star restaurant. At breakfast, lunch and dinner we were offered a variety of choices and enough to satisfy any appetite. The chef (Marcus) and his staff were very accommodating and baked a special cake to help us celebrate our son’s birthday. It was a great surprise for him. Everywhere he went that day, everyone wished him a happy birthday. The service and bar staff (Taylor, Dylan, Chelsea and Mike) were outstanding, making phenomenal cocktails and just taking such good care of us all around. And what a great wine selection, we had so much fun trying different wines at dinner every evening.
We could go on and on raving about SFR, but what is really telling is that as we sit here writing this review, we are trying to figure out when we can get there next – very soon.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Traveled with family
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: We stayed in the Mountain house with our family (7 people) and it was perfect.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I waited years to go to the Smith Fork ranch, taking my daughter along for a joint birthday bash. The ranch is in a heavenly spot and many working there are truly passionate about their job. The food was OK, but not nearly as good as I would have expected, and the wines were extremely limited. Even though the staff knew this was a special birthday week-end, absolutely no mention was made of it. Given that I paid about $1000/day, it was sub par. We were given a room with twin beds and a shower - not tub. The room itself was more like a motel than a luxury hotel. They have a long way to go to be a luxury destination.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2009
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We planned a last minute off-season getaway for our 10th anniversary. We assumed it would be mostly adults since it was the end of September and it is more of a luxury resort. When we called we were given the last available room and were so excited to have been able to book our stay.
The interaction with the staff was all exceptional. We also met a mother and two daughters from Australia that were a pleasure to talk to each night at cocktail hour.
Dinner was included each night and although it was still quite warm outdoors, they would close up the doors and start a fire and it got quite hot each night. Add to that the dinner took over two hours and after a long day, that can be a little much. Also, while we were there, the owner's and their family/friends were there. We felt as though they had taken over the ranch and we were intruding on their time there. I would suggest if the owners want to have such a large group of family/friends, they shouldn't also have paying quests at the same time.
Our room in the Mountain House was decorated very nicely but you could hear every single thing that went on in the rest of the house. This included other guests checking in during the middle of the night, guests coming home around midnight after lingering over dinner, kids running up and down the stairs, etc. Due to the remote location, we expected peace and serenity. Instead we had two of the worst night's sleep of our lives due to other guests noise and staff allowing guests to check in in the middle of the night.
The high points of the trip were the times spent outdoors. We went on an excellent horseback ride, walked the grounds, enjoyed archery, and had some quiet time on the porch swing (although that was short lived since kids were running around).
All in all, what we expected was a quiet, romantic, serene getaway at a beautiful ranch in a remote location. All we got was the beautiful setting, so that is why we were disappointed.
The interaction with the staff was all exceptional. We also met a mother and two daughters from Australia that were a pleasure to talk to each night at cocktail hour.
Dinner was included each night and although it was still quite warm outdoors, they would close up the doors and start a fire and it got quite hot each night. Add to that the dinner took over two hours and after a long day, that can be a little much. Also, while we were there, the owner's and their family/friends were there. We felt as though they had taken over the ranch and we were intruding on their time there. I would suggest if the owners want to have such a large group of family/friends, they shouldn't also have paying quests at the same time.
Our room in the Mountain House was decorated very nicely but you could hear every single thing that went on in the rest of the house. This included other guests checking in during the middle of the night, guests coming home around midnight after lingering over dinner, kids running up and down the stairs, etc. Due to the remote location, we expected peace and serenity. Instead we had two of the worst night's sleep of our lives due to other guests noise and staff allowing guests to check in in the middle of the night.
The high points of the trip were the times spent outdoors. We went on an excellent horseback ride, walked the grounds, enjoyed archery, and had some quiet time on the porch swing (although that was short lived since kids were running around).
All in all, what we expected was a quiet, romantic, serene getaway at a beautiful ranch in a remote location. All we got was the beautiful setting, so that is why we were disappointed.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: If we had been in one of the stand alone cabins, our experience would've been completely...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Courtney B, General Manager at Smith Fork Ranch
Responded Nov 6, 2014
I regret hearing that your expectations were not met for your special weekend. I hope that you will give us an opportunity to make that up to you in the future. This was a very full weekend and a last minute trip, however I agree that your experience would have been more enjoyable had you had a private cabin. I apologize on behalf of the family and the SFR staff.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at Smith Fork for 10 nights in August 2014. We are a family of four with an eleven year old daughter and eight year old son. The food, wine, wranglers, ambience, setting were all super. At Smith Fork, you feel as though you are personal guests of the owners, the Hodgsons. If you go, try the team penning- where you pen steer- it was one of our favorite experiences (along with the cocktail ride, archery course, friendly staff....). Despite our extended stay, we were all very sad to leave!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: All cabins are great!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Courtney B, General Manager at Smith Fork Ranch
Responded Aug 31, 2014
I hope you all come back year after year. You have a special family! Thank you for the review.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Smith Fork Ranch is one of a kind, and I almost feel like I'm giving the game away by writing this review. We stayed here for 4 nights for the final part of our honeymoon and enjoyed every minute.
The accommodation is excellent with fabulously furnished rooms designed by the owners themselves. But the scenery, activities and food are the reasons why people visit to Smith Fork Ranch, and these are all provided in abundance and to a very high standard.
We were treated like one of the family, with evening coctails held at the owner's own house one night followed by a performance from a local band back at the ranch.
Horseback riding, fishing, archery, treking, skeet shooting, archery, and more are all on the menu with the vast majority of these included in the daily rate.
A wonderful place, I just hope that not too many people read this review and book the place out - We will be back next year for sure!
The accommodation is excellent with fabulously furnished rooms designed by the owners themselves. But the scenery, activities and food are the reasons why people visit to Smith Fork Ranch, and these are all provided in abundance and to a very high standard.
We were treated like one of the family, with evening coctails held at the owner's own house one night followed by a performance from a local band back at the ranch.
Horseback riding, fishing, archery, treking, skeet shooting, archery, and more are all on the menu with the vast majority of these included in the daily rate.
A wonderful place, I just hope that not too many people read this review and book the place out - We will be back next year for sure!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2008Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check in / front desk
Service
Business service (e.g., internet access)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We feel so lucky to have landed at SFR after having to change plans last minute due to a hurricane on the east coast. There were so many positives it is hard to know where to start. We went in September with the temperatures cool and perfect for outdoor activities. Courtney and the rest of the staff made sure our stay was relaxing and enjoyable. The choices of activities were a great chance to try something new (fly fishing) but also do some things we love (hiking). The Food was fantastic with several dishes with ingredients grown in the garden. Hard to explain but can't express how much the ranch buildings and grounds creates an environment of relaxation and beauty. Sitting on the front porch drinking coffee early in the morning looking at the beautiful grounds was a perfect start of the day and that feeling of "the day was made for me" continued throughout the day.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Rooms
Location
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from CourtneySFR, General Manager at Smith Fork Ranch
Responded Dec 31, 2018
Thanks so much for all your kind words! While we are never happy to hear that plans changed due to hurricanes we are happy that you were brought to our neck of the woods somehow. It was wonderful meeting the both of you and we hope to see you again sometime (and you get to enjoy your original plans as well).
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Smith Fork Ranch offers an exceptional mountain ranch experience. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and anxious to help. Moreover, the scenery is perfect. I attended with my six year old son and enjoyed a mix of activities (archery, hiking, fishing, horseback riding) along with excellent meals and hospitality. We look forward to going back.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2016Trip type: Traveled with family
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Tim J, General Manager at Smith Fork Ranch
Responded Oct 15, 2016
Thank you Greg! We had a great time trying to keep up with you and Henry and are very happy that you both enjoyed your stay with us. We look forward to meeting the rest of your family next year! Tim
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were a three generation trio of girls (grandmother, mother and daughter - ages 26-77) who take an annual trip while our boys are fishing in the Sea of Cortez each summer. We had never done the guest ranch thing, so we thought we'd give it a try. After tons of research, we decided on SFR, and are we ever happy with our choice! They offered us a huge variety of activities and we took them up on as much as we could squeeze into our stay: rafting, shooting, fly fishing, archery, riding, glass blowing and massages. We couldn't decide on which one we enjoyed most. The guides are absolutely wonderful - the perfect combo of professional and friendly, and the equipment is top of the line. Special shootouts to Stacy, head wrangler, Travis, who taught us fly fishing and archery, and Bobby and Jason, who helped us blast some clay pigeons. We absolutely loved glass blowing in Crawford and rafting down the Gunnison. After a full day outdoors, we were so excited to return to our beautiful cabin, Oak. It was perfect for 3, with a king bedroom and a 2 twin bedroom with a large, clean comfortable bathroom, a great sitting room, and a wonderful private deck affording beautiful views. Great beds, bedding and bathroom products. The food was out of this world! Chef Marcus is a master! All of our meals were fantastic, including the special vegan choices for my daughter. Thanks, Bo, for sharing your impressive garden and your wonderful labrador, Sue. The staff truly go out of their way to make sure you are happy and have everything you need. The common rooms are very comfortable and decorated as a ranch lodge should be - with western art, mounts and vintage pieces. We are so happy we found this slice of heaven that is SFR! Thanks Courtney, Avary, Kenlee, Anthony, Kaitlin and Courtney for an absolutely wonderful stay! We'd love to return with the whole family!
Read more
Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: All of the rooms and cabins are great! Of the three individual cabins, Oak has the most privacy.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Courtney B, General Manager at Smith Fork Ranch
Responded Jul 27, 2015
It was an absolute pleasure having the three of you at the ranch. I hope that you made memories to last a lifetime and come back to see us again! Thank you so much ladies.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ALSO KNOWN AS
smith fork ranch hotel crawford
LOCATION
United StatesColoradoCrawford
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingSMITH FORK RANCH
Frequently Asked Questions about Smith Fork Ranch
What are some of the property amenities at Smith Fork Ranch?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a lounge, and a spa.
Which room amenities are available at Smith Fork Ranch?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a refrigerator, and a fireplace.
What food & drink options are available at Smith Fork Ranch?
Guests can enjoy a lounge and an outdoor dining area during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Smith Fork Ranch?
Yes, guests have access to fitness classes and yoga classes during their stay.
Does Smith Fork Ranch have airport transportation?
Yes, Smith Fork Ranch offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Smith Fork Ranch have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is Smith Fork Ranch accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.