All Day Horseback Rides

Travel back in time through our frontier of 11,000 foot peaks and azure blue sky, canyons, valleys, and crests in the West Elk Wilderness.  Smith Fork Ranch is fortunate enough to have access to 1.7 million acres of National Forest and West Elk Wilderness, the least used wilderness area in Colorado.  Secluded and ultimately pristine, face what travelers of old experienced and saw for the first time on their treks, game trapping trails, and Ute Indian hunting grounds. 

There are all day rides that range from five to eight hours in length.  These rides take guests into high backcountry for views and scenery untouched by the everyday trail traffic.  Herds of elk and mule deer, bears and tracks and sign of a variety of wild animals decorate the trail as guests experience miles of aspen, stunning rock outcroppings, and vistas that that will take your breath away.

Our “Fish ‘n Ride” trek takes guests on a two hour ride into Little Elk Basin and the North Fork of the Smith Fork River.  After a tasty lunch around the camp fire, guides take guests out onto the stream for some pristine backcountry fishing.  The seclusion and breathtaking beauty of Little Elk Basin sets a perfect and rare backdrop for an afternoon of mountain adventure or relaxation.

“Thanks for everything-good fun, good food and great friends.  We really had a wonderful time.  Thanks for teaching Gary to ride and that absolutely gorgeous all-day trek through the mountains.  Thanks for patiently teaching us to fly fish.  We had great fun at the rodeo.  The food is fantastic!  But most of all we really love how you all made us feel right at home.  Looking forward to coming back sometime!” –Gary and Jeanne, Virginia