Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Once you arrive at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, a full range of activities await you: horseback riding, game courts, nature hikes and so much more. The magic of Sylvan Dale will leave you restored and re-energized, and hopefully, refocused on the truly important things in life. So pull up a chair at our family table. The breakfast bell is ringing, and the hot, fluffy pancakes are waiting - made from scratch, of course!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Where do I start, what an amazing place to visit, I went with my daughter (26) and we both had the most incredible time ever. We have never done a holiday like this before but always wanted to so we just decided to do it and boy are we glad we did! This place is something else such friendly staff from the people who make your delicious food to the people out on the rides with you. The horses were incredible so strong and confident and sure footed on the very tricky trail rides, I was expecting it to be a much faster pace riding experience as both myself and my daughter are experienced riders, but we still had an amazing time. The accommodation was much bigger than I was expecting and very comfortable. You can choose to ride as little or as much as you and your horse can take but the over night pack ride is an absolute must! The views are another level literally breathtaking. So many different things to choose from breakfast rides, yoga, gymkhana, evening activities and cattle moving and sorting yes real cattle! Or just chill by the pool. Just go and see for yourself you won’t regret it I promise.
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Date of stay: August 2023
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Trip type: Traveled with family
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 Karen Burbank, General Manager at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Sep 5, 2023
Thank you for your review, LC! We hope you can bring the family back for a visit from across the pond. :) Will be great to see you in the saddle again! Ranch Hand is recovering well, you can let G know. :)
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We call ourselves the Sisters of the Horse, because we are. Friends since fourth grade and now in our sixties this was a perfect place to spend quality time. We ALL still own horses and ride as much as we can, so riding 4 to 6 hours a day up those beautiful trails was great!!! The food was wonderful with a lot to choose from (it was possible to eat healthy but lots of great desserts to tempt you. One night, Connie and I rode up to the Cow camp a 3 1/2 hour ride into the mountains where we were greeted with steaks cooked over an open grill, a bonfire, and sleeping out under the stars. FANTASTIC ! We also learned how to herd cattle and sort calves and compete in a gymkana ..for an English Dressage rider this was all was a challenge, but my horse, Russ, was fantastic and he gave it his ALL. We stayed at Mama Js ranch house - a big house with 4 bedrooms , 3 baths and a fireplace. We were greeted to our home with 5 hand carved signs with each of our names and the heart J brand (these were ours to take home. Mine hangs on my horses stall.) The house was secluded and kind of far from the barn, but the walk did us good once we got used to the high altitude. The STAFF - is fantastic .They are like friends and family now. We could not have been made to feel more welcome..This is a must do for all horse lovers.....
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Date of stay: September 2020
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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 Karen Burbank, General Manager at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Dec 16, 2020
The Sisters of the Horse can join us any time! We can't wait to see you all again in the future! Rustler will be anxiously awaiting your return. :)
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This is the place I've dreamed of visiting my entire life! One of the best vacations EVER! The staff is amazing and the food was delicious. Sylvan Dale offers guests the opportunity to choose activities and do as much or as little as you prefer. Safety for guest AND horses is a priority at Sylvan Dale. It felt like home but with horses! Everyone knows your name by Day 2. The owners drove up the mountain to cook on open fires for the Overnight Trip and the Breakfast rides. Bring a hammock! I loved reading and napping in it when I wasn't riding. I also ended up sleeping in it on the Overnight Ride. I would have never guessed that I would want to sleep under the stars out in the woods but the weather was perfect for it. I was told that lack of standing water created the mosquito-free environment which was a game changer for me! From what I observed, the Children's Program was very well run and the kids all seemed thrilled to be there. I hope to make this a yearly adventure!
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Date of stay: June 2022
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Â It was very dry and dusty the week I visited. Since I have asthma, my bandanas and masks were a...
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 Karen Burbank, General Manager at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Dec 16, 2022
We loved having you with us! Hopefully you can visit us again this year too. :)
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I've had the privilege of leading my Women's Unbridled Retreats at Sylvan Dale Ranch multiple times and I can't wait to go back. Sylvan Dale Ranch is the perfect authentic Colorado Guest Ranch to enjoy the great outdoors and experience wonderful horseback riding. Their horses are phemomenal as are the wranglers and entire staff.
I highly recommend Sylvan Dale Ranch for families, events, couples, solo travelers and anyone looking to experience the best of Colorado including exceptional hospitality, delicious food, cozy cabins, and an easy to get to location. Thank you Susan, Karen, and the entire Sylvan Dale Ranch team for making the Ranch feel like home.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
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 Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Owner at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Nov 20, 2021
Oh how we love hosting your Unbridled Retreats! Can't wait to have you on ranch for not one retreat, but 5 in 2022! Yee Haw!
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I'm an experienced English rider and one of my biggest concerns on trips is that I will be bored with the riding. Sylvan Dale did a great job of matching horses and riders as well as offering a wide variety of activities. They matched me with a more challenging horse (that also responded well to direct reins since that's my go to) and we had a ton of fun. There were multiple daily trail rides, cow sorting, and barrel racing activities. Almost too many activities to choose from. The scenery is breathtaking and there's no better way to see it than on the back of a horse. We got to jog and lope on the trails after a day or two of getting acquainted and going up and down the mountains was an experience. The wranglers were great and gave me good tips to work with him and I felt like he and I really bonded by the end. But the inexperienced riders had a great time also since their horses took great care of them.
The horses were well taken care of and well fed...they even tracked the number of hours they were ridden to make sure they weren't over worked. It was clear the staff loved their animals and had their best interests at heart.
All of the staff was super helpful, always had a smile on their face, and were happy to answer questions (even if it was my 100th). And the food was phenomenal. Every meal was delicious and frankly far more than I needed to eat but it's vacation!
This is not a five-star hotel, it's a bit rustic but the beds are comfortable and the shower is hot. Lots of the cabins had lovely decks to enjoy the scenery and make new friends. The pool was refreshing and the meadows and river are just a few steps away. There's no cell phone service and the wifi is iffy but that's exactly the escape I needed.
I traveled alone during adult week and everyone was extremely welcoming and inclusive. I made a lot of great friends and many of the people come back year after year...always a good sign.
Overall it was a wonderful trip and break from reality.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
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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 Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Owner at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Sep 27, 2021
We are so glad you loved Rustler as much as we do. He's certainly a good fit for you English riders! Hoping to see you again down the trail, and maybe for one of our Cowgirl Roundups next time!
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We had such a wonderful ride! Our guide, Miki was fun and did an amazing job. The horses were just lovely. It was so great to see they were all in good weight, and the staff really interacted with them with care and concern. We couldn't be happier, and I can't wait to get back for a longer stay! Thanks to everyone at Sylvan Dale.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â This is a wonderful choice if you want a ride that isn't so nose to tail and and boring!
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 Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Owner at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Aug 19, 2024
Thank you for your review! We appreciate your noticing how much we love our horses. :)
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We stayed during the adults only week in August and it was fantastic!
First off, as a horse owner, I was apprehensive about the care and training of the horses. No worries there! The horses are in terrific shape, well fed, shoes perfect for the rough terrain and amazingly trained. The ones bred and trained on the ranch are especially well trained and all beautiful! Karen did a perfect job of pairing me with Cash for the week! I wanted to take him home! He was solid, willing and so much fun! Even the beginners had no problem managing the horses! Not only do you get to ride in gorgeous mountains and valleys, they have instruction in the lovely and perfectly maintained arena, and even the beginners got to trot and lope. the gymkanna was so much fun!
The location is so pretty, the views are jaw dropping! it truly is in the foothills of the Rockies and we spent a morning in the national park, with only an hour drive!
The cabins are perfect! We stayed in the Annie Oakley and it was decorated with such care and detail, I found a new decoration every day!
The main lodge was also decorated with everything horse and cowboy! The Watering Hole, on the porch every evening was so much fun! Our group of guests were awesome! What a great group of people! As Rebecca said, "You can pick a perfect trip in a perfect place, but you can't pick the people!" Every person there was wonderful!
The food was abundant and delicious!
Susan and Dave are the best! You can tell they really love this place and it shows in everything they do! Karen is amazing and will try her best to accommodate any request you have! The wranglers are knowledgeable, friendly and fun! All the staff went out of their way to introduce themselves and make sure we had everything we needed.
One additional thing that really stood out to us as special, was the wooden sign with our name on it, hanging outside our cabin! That made us feel so welcome!
I want to go back already! Perfect trip, to a perfect place, with perfect people and perfect horses!
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
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Service
Room Tip:Â The cabins near the river have great views and the sound is 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 Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, Owner at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Sep 27, 2021
We can't wait to see you again soon too! You and H. are such a fun couple to have around! Especially that last magic trick on ranch party night. :)
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This is an authentic dude ranch. We’ve had horses all out life and always wanted to visit a side ranch. We finally did and what was so special about this place is you could ride all day long everyday as much as you wanted and they made you feel right at home from day one. The ladies we met, had been coming back for years and years. We hope to do the same. The horses are top notch and the scenery is breathtaking. We miss it everyday we are away.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
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 Karen Burbank, General Manager at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Dec 16, 2020
Oh we enjoyed having you two gals with us! We look forward to your return visit, and the horses do too! :)
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Our daughter had her wedding at Sylvan Dale in July! This was a great experience for all! The couple and guest were pleased ! It is a great venue with a beautiful setting . We did the service outside and were glad to have a inside area for the reception. Good thing because after the ceremony it did rain. So we danced and ate inside then people could also go on a covered porch. The contact person was wonderful . Katie made our day! A day we will all remember in years to come! From Wendy
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â It was a good experience overall. Great help with our daughters wedding.
We did stay over...
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 Karen Burbank, General Manager at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded Sep 5, 2023
We're so glad you chose Sylvan Dale for the big day! Thank you so much for your review! Maybe we'll see you again sometime down the trail.
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Me and my friend held our first retreat on this ranch and it was way beyond all expectations. WOW. Words cannot describe how well run this place is. The owner Susan is such a loving and sweet person and it shows all the way through each staff member. Karen who was our contact person did an amazing job and was extremely accommodating. We can't wait to go back in October and host another retreat and reconnect with this place and its wonderful staff.
All horses are taken cared of in a beautiful way and the facility is stunning. The food is amazing, I mean there is not a bad word to say about this place.
If you want a family vacation or just go trail riding this is the perfect place.
THANK YOU!
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
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 Karen Burbank, General Manager at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch
Responded May 28, 2022
Oh how we loved having you ladies with us! Can't wait for October! Thank you, for the lovely review. đź¤
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Gosh, Sandy! We're so sorry we missed your question about the September 1st wedding review!
Unfortunately, the original wedding coordinator who was working on that wedding had to leave due to family circumstances. The bride and groom from the wedding in question experienced, in their opinion, a less than ideal transition up to their big day.
Our new wedding coordinator, Melissa, will make sure that all of our weddings go smoothly from here on out! If you're planning a wedding with us in the future, you will not be disappointed. :)
Howdy Elizabeth!
Absolutely, there are other options. :) Our guests who need transportation will often take an airport shuttle. We will be working with a company called Green Ride this year! Since we have just recently transitioned over from Super Shuttle, reservations will not be available until March 1st, but at least we have a start date. :)
I hope that helps!
Happy trails from Sylvan Dale,
Karen Burbank
Dude Ranch & Lesson Programs Coordinator
Sylvan Dale Ranch
(970) 667-3915 ext. 11
Howdy cdhc16! We do serve wine and beer at dinner (during our Dude Ranch Vacations). There is a minimal charge per glass or bottle. We are required to serve our own products at dinner. However, if you would like to drink on your own, at your cabin, you can certainly BYOB. We just can't have the two cross over. :/
There are more places to choose from in the Loveland area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
sylvan dale guest ranch hotel loveland, sylvan dale hotel
LOCATION
United StatesColoradoLoveland
NUMBER OF ROOMS
19
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.
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