What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm

Bears Ranch

Historic Gateway to the Beautiful San Juan Mountains! Now offering scenic Sleigh Rides and Trail R Hot chocolate and blankets are provided.
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Bears Ranch carries on a equestrian tradition that dates back almost 40 years. Anne Rapp pioneered Rapp Corral and the horseback trail system located at beautiful Haviland Lake and Chris Park just off HWY 550 North at 51 Haviland Lake Road, Durango, Colorado 81301. We proudly continue Anne’s legacy offering 5-star sleigh rides and horseback riding at the gateway to the beautiful San Juan National

Forest. The ranch encompasses many venues to serve and educate local and area visitors while preserving the historic and natural
beauty of the area. Our scenic old fashioned sleigh rides run about 45 minutes in length with beautiful views of Engineer Mountain, Needles Mountains, Hermosa Cliffs and Haviland Lake. The trail is a beautiful taste of Southwest Colorado creating life-long memories for the whole family! Sleigh rides run Tuesday – Sunday at 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and the VIP Tiki Sleigh Ride at 5PM. Please call 970-844-4049 to make your reservation today! Horseback riding will begin in May, pending weather conditions. Trail Rides at Bears Ranch offers magnificent horseback rides through the Chris Park and Haviland Lake trail system. We will start taking reservations for the summer season April 1, 2022. Prices, ride descriptions, and more information coming soon! Call 970-844-4049 or email [email protected] for more information.

10/06/2024

Bears Ranch was in downtown Durango yesterday. From giving pony rides to kids to being the largest group in the parade, it was a great day. And a great photo of Emmy and Gus. His first parade. Photos by Patt Dorsey.

10/04/2024

A beautiful morning here at Bears Ranch for the annual Durango Cowboy Gathering trail ride.

09/25/2024

October 4th will be the annual Cowboy Gathering Poetry Ride at Bears Ranch. Coffee at 9:30 and then take a horseback ride with our wranglers. When you get back, there will be lunch and entertainment by musicians Jim Brantley, the Vega Verde Wranglers, along with stories and cowboy poetry by Scott Perez. Contact us for more information.

07/13/2024

He's "JUST" a Trail Horse**
I can't count the number of times that I have heard the words "Oh you just trail ride" or "It's just a trail horse", especially from other riders who focus on only one discipline. And each time I have to smirk a little. To be JUST a Trail Rider you need a very special talented kind of steed for which many folks don't realize the expertise required:
- He needs to be as maneuverable as a Dressage Horse...to be able to place each foot exactly where and when you need because there is a steep cliff drop-off on one side and a wall of solid mountainside on the other. A sure-footed horse is a must to be a good Trail horse.
-He needs to be as bold as a Foxhunter....to go willingly where he is pointed, whether that is over a log, up a steep hill, down a gully, through rushing water, boot-sucking mud or bushwhacking through thick scrub.
-He needs to be as agile as a Show Jumper....able to easily twist and turn around trees and bushes, boulders and hop over fallen logs.
-He needs to have the stamina of an Endurance Horse....because a 7 mile ride can easily turn into a 20 mile ride if his "on-board GPS" (aka rider) takes a wrong turn.
-He needs to have the calm mind of a Rodeo Pick-Up Horse....because many horses can not hold it together under stress. But a good Trail Horse must be able to cope with the high emotional energy often coming from other horses in front, behind and either side of her. He needs to always be level-headed and sensible.
-He needs to manage being squashed against others like a Polo Pony....because on some trails his nose might be pushed against a tail in front, or flanks pressed side-by-side with rider's knees banging against other rider's knees, or another horse breathing down his back. He needs to have patience and get along well with others.
-He needs to cope with bursts of speed like a Racehorse.....because if that "on-board GPS" (aka rider), stated above, turns the short ride into 20 miles you won't get home till dark if walking that whole distance.
-He needs to be a clever problem-solver with his mind and feet like a Cutting horse....sometimes his rider is gonna get him stuck in places that seem impossible to get out of!
-He needs to be brave like a Cow Horse because not only will he have to deal with protective mama cows and bulls out on the trails, but he'll also be faced with mountain bikes, ATVs, motorcycles, strollers, tractors, logging equipment, chainsaws, horse-drawn carts, bullet-riddled appliances, floating plastic bags and balloons, booming thunder and pouring rain with flapping slickers, loose wild horses and burros, and all forms of wildlife.
-And he needs to be cuddly and sweet like a Child's Pony....because he will spend countless hours exploring trails with his rider.
But hey.... He's "JUST" a Trail Horse!~*~
****Author unknown *****
Photo credit: Tina Mae Weber.

06/16/2024

When community comes together to take care of one another. Thanks to everyone who donated and to Cal Storey and Emmy Grayeyes for running a great auction.

06/16/2024

We're setting up for the fundraiser for Ray. Come on out. Take a ride, grab some lunch, and stay for the auction. We've got some great stuff and Cal Story is the auctioneer for us.

04/25/2024

A warm round of applause to Bears Ranch for their unwavering support as a sponsor of True Western Roundup! With its stunning location at the base of the majestic Hermosa Cliffs, Bears Ranch provides guests with unparalleled opportunities to explore the great outdoors. From winter sleigh rides to summer horseback trail adventures, Bears Ranch encourages families and kids to connect with nature while learning about the rich history of the area. Thank you, Bears Ranch, for your commitment to fostering outdoor exploration and education!

02/26/2024

All aboard the birthday train!
Our sweet .snow13 had a birthday a few weeks back! Kiera has an enate touch with our equine friends that you really can’t learn, you’re just born into. She spends her time with mustangs and making the most delicious lemon bars you’ve ever tasted. Oh and she can sew! She’s really just a Jane of all trades and we are sooo lucky she spends time with us at Bears Ranch! Here’s to a wonderful year, Kiera! We’re so glad you’re on this wild ride with us. 💕🤠🐎

02/24/2024

Happy birthday to the one and only !!! Henry has been a part of the “crew” since he was just a small lad. It’s been such a pleasure to watch him grow into the fine young man he is today. While he may wear a lot of hats in this life, we’d like to think his favorite one is cowboy 🤠

02/18/2024

It was a great day for skijouring in Silverton.

01/17/2024

Winter is still with us. A beautiful time to take a sleigh ride. Book yours now.

01/11/2024

Plenty of snow with more on the way. Fantastic views. We groomed the sleigh trails today. The winter has a long way to go. Book your sleigh ride and come join the fun.

01/09/2024

Lilly and Jordan having fun at the Durango Cowboy Gathering parade last October. Photo by Paul Ross.

01/02/2024

Maple says “CHEERS! It’s a new year!” She may have just tried tobasco…or champagne! 🥂
Happy New Year from all of us at Bears Ranch - we’re going into 2024 with full hearts, thankful for all the time we spent with you and your families in 2023

01/01/2024

A beautiful sunset to finish off 2023. A great afternoon for sleigh rides. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and may 2024 bring good things to all.

12/25/2023

Christmas Eve was a beautiful day for sleigh rides.

10/27/2023

End of the trail season at Bears Ranch Time to clean things up and put them away. And have a season ending barbecue. Then we wait for the snow. It will be time for sleigh rides.

10/26/2023

Oh the places you’ll go
On the back of a mule
And all the wonderful things
They’ll carry you to.

Happy National mule day! Hope you enjoy our long ears as much as we do. They’re woven so beautifully into the traditions of our lives and work. To really know them is to love them. If nothing else they’ll always keep you smiling and laughing.

Address

51 Haviland Lake
Durango, CO
81301

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://bearsranch.com/

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Videos

Our view coming home to the ranch Maybe Dorothy had it right, there’s no place like home. 💖 . . . @bears_ranch @visitdurango #bearsranch #durango #colorado #getoutside #visitdurango #horsebackride #trailride #hermosacliffs #theresnoplacelikehome #horses

What a way to start forever 💖 . . . We love weddings and would be honored to be a part of your special day! #horse #horsecarriage #wedding #ido #coloradowedding #weddinginthemountains #durango #colorado #visitdurango #bearsranch @visitdurango

galloping towards the weekend!☀️

Magic in the Mounatains✨

Come get engaged with us! There’s no better way to start forever than in the saddle 💖 . . #bearsranch #visitdurango #engagementride #shesaidyes #shesaidyes💍 #horsebackride #trailhorse #horses #engagementring #durango #colorado #getoutside @visitdurango

cowboys need horses; horses need cowboys💖

Our youngest girl and our youngest pony🥹

Just some more Pearl and Sterling content🥰

just horses being horses✨

Rider and Owner Mrs. Emmy Greyeyes🌞 • If you are a more experienced rider, looking for a more fast paced trail with us, book a special ride! Our wranglers would love to take you running! • Loping away is Emmy and HamHock- a new horse to our string. He has proven that even being a young 3 year old horse - he can keep up with a fast pace! 🌲🐴 Yeehaw!

Merry Christmas from all of us at the new Bears Ranch!! ❄️🦌🏔 • • • #bearsranch #visitdurango #exploredurango #sleighride #sleighrides #trailrides #ranchlife #merrychristmas #winterwonderland #downtowndurango #swco #snow #powderday #horse #happyholidays