The Smith Fork Ranch is ideal for expert anglers and novices alike. Teach your children to fish on one of our four stocked ponds, or tackle miles of private fly fishing on the Smith Fork River. We ensure exclusive access by limiting the ranch to one group at a time.

Join us for an exploration of the Rockies on horseback. Stay on-ranch for vista rides, riverside trails, and intimate sunset destinations, or venture deep into the national forest. We can even program overnights into the National Forest for an equestrian camp experience.

Our fleet of Scott ASPECT eRide 920 Electric Mountain Bikes is a great way to explore The Ranch. Ride to the Needle Rock Trailhead, over ten miles into the National Forest, or even into the town of Crawford. All levels of Mountain Biking are available, including a simple cruise from one end of The Ranch to the other.

Head up to our hilltop range to perfect your marksmanship while enjoying 360-degree mountain peak views. The clay pigeons await!

Learn or perfect your archery skills at our two ranch ranges. The riverside range offers classic target practice. Or, try our forest "game" course to practice all shots and angles.

The Smith Fork Ranch is an “Inholding” inside the Gunnison National Forest. Choose from on-ranch trails like Hawk’s Meadow pictured above, adjacent National Forest Trails frequented by Forest Wranglers, or venture out a half hour to the the USA’s newest National Park: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

From a beginner’s loop around The Ranch to runs satisfying all skill levels, cross-country skiing is the perfect way to embrace the magic of winter.

Like the rest of your vacation, our Roughstock program tailors children’s daily adventures based on your preferences. In addition to youth-focused experiences, versions of most on-ranch activities are available to ensure our younger guests take home new favorite childhood memories from The Ranch.

The US’ newest National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, is a beautiful half-hour drive from Smith Fork Ranch. Experience some of North America’s steepest cliffs, oldest rock formations, and craggiest spires. Hike and climb the inner canyon or simply make a quick and easy -but unforgettable- visit to the viewing area at Gunnison Point.

A favorite of our guests, the Gunnison Gorge offers miles of rapids through Precambrian formations. Pool drop rapids range from class II to class IV. Colorado wildlife such as bighorn sheep, river otters, mule deer, eagles, and wild chukar are often seen.

From scenic tours overlooking the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to accessing high elevation fishing holes, helicopters offer a unique way to experience the wilderness around us.

Neighboring Paonia and Telluride are havens for some of the West’s great performers. Our Bespoke All-Inclusive itinerary includes nightly entertainment, from private concerts to Square Dancing. We can also pull strings to arrange workshops with top local artists.

Being immersed in the wilderness of the Gunnison National Forest comes with many perks. One of our guest favorites features our local astronomer and a tour through the night sky.

While our adventure activities tend to steal the headlines, most of our guests have just as much fun with our ranch standards. These include everything from horseshoes to frisbee golf to our Spring-fed swimming pond. Please see our complete activity list for many more options.

Smith Fork Ranch is about 20 minutes from the banana belt of the Rockies. Paonia, Hotchkiss, and the surrounding area offer distinctive wine tasting, a thriving epicurean scene driven by local farms, and many more surprises.