Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

79 years in the saddle
Dude Ranch Vacations, Weddings, Meetings & Retreats
(1124)

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is an authentic working horse and cattle ranch located on 3200 acres in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Loveland, Colorado. Family owned and operated by the Jessup Family since 1946, Sylvan Dale provides a natural setting for dude ranch vacations, destination weddings, corporate meetings & retreats. We also offer a wide variety of additional services like private meeti

ngs, holiday parties, picnics, reunions, family vacations, bed & breakfast, trophy fishing, horse riding, and other exciting outdoor adventures. Guests go on cattle drives and cattle roundups, trail rides, and overnight pack trips, take horseback riding lessons and play “Gymkhana” games on horseback, and experience the old-fashioned family hospitality and cowboy culture of the historic American West.

2020 Travelers' Choice Award from Trip Advisor. Named "Best Family Vacation" by Frommer's Colorado guidebook and rated among the "Top Ten Colorado Dude Ranches" by True West Magazine, and Cowboys & Indians' Best Of The West. Conveniently located just one hour from Denver in the Colorado foothills near Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, Sylvan Dale’s 3200-acre Dude Ranch and Retreat Center is nestled along the banks of Colorado's beautiful Big Thompson River. For you good folks who care about nature and the environment, you'll appreciate our green philosophy and passion for sustainable practices. At Sylvan Dale, we pride ourselves on being excellent stewards of our land, livestock, and resident wildlife.

Training tip Tuesday! Just for fun, since Chevy loves being a character, Karen has trained him to "smile".  No tips toda...
01/13/2026

Training tip Tuesday! Just for fun, since Chevy loves being a character, Karen has trained him to "smile". No tips today, just tricks, haha.

"Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
01/12/2026

"Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

If investing in your well-being is on your list this year, we’ve got the perfect place to start. We currently have open ...
01/11/2026

If investing in your well-being is on your list this year, we’ve got the perfect place to start.

We currently have open dates for private wellness retreats at the ranch—ideal for yoga groups, mindfulness weekends, small gatherings, or a peaceful recharge getaway. Our quiet mountain setting, cozy spaces, and warm hospitality create the perfect backdrop to slow down and reconnect.

January and February are especially magical for restorative, unplugged experiences—before the calendar fills up.

Reach out to learn more and secure your preferred dates. Your reset starts here https://www.sylvandale.com/business-retreats

80 Years in the Saddle – Historical Photo Saturdays! Every Saturday in January, we’ll be sharing a special historical ph...
01/10/2026

80 Years in the Saddle – Historical Photo Saturdays!

Every Saturday in January, we’ll be sharing a special historical photo to kick off our 80th anniversary celebration!

Do you have a favorite moment from Sylvan Dale’s history that you’d love to see? Drop your requests in the comments – we might feature them!

Featured horse Friday! Most of you won't know this mare, but her name is Sally. When Dustin picked up some horses from t...
01/09/2026

Featured horse Friday! Most of you won't know this mare, but her name is Sally. When Dustin picked up some horses from the sale back in the fall of 2022, this sorrel mare joined the herd along with Chevy and Rango. Miss Sally is a 2017 model, coming 9 now, and she had a little bit of baggage with her when she arrived to us at coming 6. She's the sweetest girl once she trusts you, but it took a lot of time with a handful of patient handlers (Dustin, Sarah, and Michael) to get her to where she is today. We hope you'll get to meet her being ridden by Michael or a select wrangler or two! She really loves being a "babysitter" to the six year olds up in the herd. She wants to be a boss mare, but can't get past our dominant ranch raised mares, haha. Rosa has really taken a liking to her, which is cute. Two red mares, like peas in a pod. Sarah Weiss Media

Throwback Thursday, to the Cow Chip Toss! At the end of every week, we have our afternoon gymkhana which also includes a...
01/08/2026

Throwback Thursday, to the Cow Chip Toss! At the end of every week, we have our afternoon gymkhana which also includes a non-horse activity for everyone to take part in! This family has been joining us every summer for several years now, and take this contest very seriously. You see...throwing cow chips is for all ages! Sarah Weiss Media

Wildlife Wednesday! This week brings another video from Ulli! How fun to see land and sky meet in a unique way.         ...
01/07/2026

Wildlife Wednesday! This week brings another video from Ulli! How fun to see land and sky meet in a unique way.

Sound up!!!! Golden eagles often bathe at this water hole. As do the bears. One day they meet. Watch to the end!!!

Training tip Tuesday! Haven't done one of these in a while, so here we are again. How do you get horses used to new thin...
01/06/2026

Training tip Tuesday! Haven't done one of these in a while, so here we are again. How do you get horses used to new things? Exposure, but with a gentle and calm approach is what we like to do. Rocky (the bay) has had a lot of time in the photo lens, as he's such a handsome dude, but he's never been around a wedding dress and flowers until this day. We knew he might be a little "looky", but Ranch Hand has had plenty of experience doing new things, so he was there to steal the show when it was time, and help Rocky take it all in. You can see his hesitant looks in the photos, but he did so great! He had already had some experience with a video shoot earlier this fall, so he was up for the challenge of a white flowy dress versus an above the head poofy black stick. 🤠



Hosted & Styled by: &
Florist:
Planner:
Model:

"Give a girl the right pair of boots and she can conquer the world." — Marilyn Monroe
01/05/2026

"Give a girl the right pair of boots and she can conquer the world." — Marilyn Monroe

New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming—but they don’t have to be.  Skip the stress and check a few off all at once...
01/04/2026

New Year’s resolutions can feel overwhelming—but they don’t have to be. Skip the stress and check a few off all at once.

Looking to:
✔ Spend more weekends unplugged?
✔ Try something new?
✔ Support more local businesses?
✔ Create meaningful memories with loved ones?
✔ Prioritize rest, wellness, and fresh air?

The ranch makes it easy to turn those resolutions into real experiences—no pressure, no perfection required.

Start the year the fun way https://www.sylvandale.com/specials

80 Years in the Saddle, who knew it would line up so perfectly with the year of the horse! As we celebrate 80 years in b...
01/03/2026

80 Years in the Saddle, who knew it would line up so perfectly with the year of the horse!

As we celebrate 80 years in business, we’re honoring where it all began—with our original owners, pictured here, setting the foundation for what Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is today. Their vision, grit, and love for this land started a legacy that has carried generations of guests, families, celebrations, and stories forward.

We’re proud of our past and grateful for everyone who’s been part of the journey. Here’s to 80 years in the saddle—and the many miles still ahead.

First featured horse of the year! Tee Cross Baron, a 2004 model, and the eldest brother of Sparkie Bar, Sandy, and Sugar...
01/02/2026

First featured horse of the year! Tee Cross Baron, a 2004 model, and the eldest brother of Sparkie Bar, Sandy, and Sugar Tee is out of Tivio's Cross Bar (Cassie) and by Gold Dust Trail (Dusty). Tee Cross is one of our tried and true mounts, and he shares a stall with one of his foal mates, Lucky. Tee has always had a good work ethic, and is prepared to do whatever you ask. He's on the sensitive side, so he prefers a softer rider, one who understands that he has good buttons! It's hard to believe that he will be 22 this year! Where does the time go? Sarah Weiss Media

Address

2939 N County Road 31D
Loveland, CO
80538

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm
Sunday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+19706673915

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Our Story

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is an authentic working horse and cattle ranch located on 3200 acres in the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Loveland, Colorado. Family owned and operated by the Jessup Family since 1946, Sylvan Dale provides a natural setting for dude ranch vacations, destination weddings, corporate meetings & retreats. We also offer a wide variety of additional services like private meetings, holiday parties, picnics, reunions, family vacations, bed & breakfast, trophy fishing, horse riding, and other exciting outdoor adventures. Guests go on cattle drives and cattle roundups, trail rides, and overnight pack trips, take horseback riding lessons and play “Gymkhana” games on horseback, and experience the old-fashioned family hospitality and cowboy culture of the historic American West. Named "Best Family Vacation" by Frommer's Colorado guidebook and rated among the "Top Ten Colorado Dude Ranches" by True West Magazine, and Cowboys & Indians' Best Of The West, June 2011. Conveniently located just one hour from Denver in the Colorado foothills near Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park, Sylvan Dale’s 3200-acre Dude Ranch and Retreat Center is nestled along the banks of Colorado's beautiful Big Thompson River. For you good folks who care about nature and the environment, you'll appreciate our green philosophy and passion for sustainable practices. At Sylvan Dale, we pride ourselves on being excellent stewards of our land, livestock, and resident wildlife.