Working Cattle Ranch

This 103,000 acre authentic Buffalo ('bison') and Cattle ranch borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve along its eastern border. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains tower alongside the ranch with several 14,000 foot peaks with trail heads leading into them, just minutes from the lodge. It has one of the most scenically spectacular and diverse geological landscapes to be found anywhere in the world. It is a wildlife mecca with thousands of elk, hundreds of bison, and countless deer, coyotes, birds and many other animal species.

Real life ranching and exploring the great outdoors is at the core of the programs that are offered . Duke and Janet Phillips have hosted guests from all over the world for over eight years, developing special programs that bring visitors into the middle of ranch life by working side by side with the cowboys and cowgirls on the ranch; these activities are not staged - they occur whether guests are on the ranch or not. If groups have varied interests or do not want to spend all their time with the cowboys, they can take one of our trips into the wild to study the bison herds, or explore the sand dunes and mountain meadows. The ranch is owned by The Nature Conservancy.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Central to what we do is maintaining our ranching heritage while enhancing the natural landscape. Our philosophy maintains that a balance must be struck between the management of a healthy and vigorous ecosystem and a sustainable land-based business that supports the people living on the land. We feel that our ranching and conservation work in partnership with The Nature Conservancy is an important model for preserving large scale ranch lands in the western United States.

The activity programs are especially designed for people who want to learn about and experience nature, whether it be conservation, hiking or riding to view the unique geology and spectacular vistas. Some guests want to just relax in the historic lodge and soak in 14,000 foot Mt. Blanca towering through the tree tops, or hike up to Zapata Falls, five minutes away. Still others come to see the 1,500 wild bison that blacken the Medano meadows when they come together as one herd. This landscape is sometimes called the Rocky Mountain Serengeti because of the amazing diversity and abundance of wildlife. Photography or wildlife viewing safaris are part of the daily events, or they can be customized to meet your special interest.

For those of us who make our home on the Zapata, ranching is about using time honored methods alongside progressive approaches that help us do a better job and have fun while we are doing it. It is also about western hospitality. We have devoted our lives to this lifestyle and we take pride in introducing our guests to our way of life and about the pleasures of riding horses. We also enjoy learning about our guests interests and getting to know them. We hope you will come for a visit soon. We will take you out into the back country of this wild land and show you a way of life from the past. You will experience nature as you have never dreamed.

Working Ranch Week:-
We have created a special program for those who want to experience real life ranching by working as one of the ranch crew. Each day is different: most days hold horseback work, but there is always fencing, irrigation, working in the shop, putting out mineral or salt for the cattle, among many other activities. Nothing is staged; everything is something that we would be doing if guests were not involved. It is a unique chance to see what a working cattle and bison ranch is like from the inside, and not from the sidelines. Also, if guests feel like some much needed time off, we have other activities to ease your aching muscles.

You chose your schedule - ride as much or as little as you like - anywhere from two to ten hours in the saddle.

For guests that are not interested in the ranch experience or horsemanship , we offer an experience that takes them into nature. These experiences revolve around both horseback and hiking and riding in trucks and we take people to see beautiful places, to see bison and elk and other wildlife.

Learning about conservation is a big part of what people learn when they come to this program: how important the land is to us, how we use cattle as tools to meet our conservation goals, monitoring programs, the ecosystem process that we try to influence with our management methods.

The Nature Conservancy is sometimes available, especially with large groups to talk about their work with nature as well.

National Park:-
* Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is also a very important part of guest activities.
* We offer rides into the park each week. There are always multiple opportunities for guests to ride into the park or hike on their own. Again, it depends on the interest in the group.
* Usually, one ride is customary, because there is so much riding and work to do around the ranch. Usually, people like to go to the Visitors' Center and walk in the sand and take photos, which is very accessible because it is 7 minutes from the lodge.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

The ranch complex is a collection of 1800s chinked log buildings reminiscent of the days of stagecoaches, cowboys and land grants. Recently renovated, the main building contains large indoor and outdoor dining areas, a 'non licensed' bar, and comfortable guest rooms.

Headquarters Inn
This is the original homestead built in the 1800's. The log home has been beautifully remodelled to incorporate a roomy and attractive indoor dining area with a fire place and large windows along with a cosy sitting area. The large deck just outside the dining area is shaded by mature cottonwood trees and complimented by a flower garden that allows for lovely views of the property. The five rooms are beautifully furnished, and have a southwestern décor that gives them the feel of home and rustic elegance. All rooms have private tiled bathrooms and views that are private, peaceful and beautiful in any season.

The Bunkhouse
Just outside the Inn is the log cabin bunkhouse with five private rooms, each with a full bath and exterior entrance. One room is a suite with a separate living room and wood stove. Rooms are in top order and beautifully decorated along with large comfortable beds. Windows open wide to let in the fresh mountain air and the views of the natural gardens surrounding the Inn set you in a world all your own.

The Stewart House
A fully furnished home separated from the Inn by a lighted footpath. Each of the five private rooms offers full baths. The home features common areas such as a fully equipped kitchen, living room with fireplace, pool table and a large dining area that can accommodate larger groups. The view from the living room windows and private patio provide a front row seat to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Crestone Peak, one of the most spectacular 14,000 foot peaks in the entire Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

Meal times:-

* Each evening at dinner the crew (sometimes one, sometimes everyone) will eat with the guests. This is a time to talk of the day´s activities, of the guests´ interests and to discuss what tomorrow will bring. It is an important thing for the development of our business as well as something that guests enjoy.

* Noon meals are usually enjoyed in a pasture while taking a break from the day´s work. If we are close to home then guests and crew may eat together on a picnic bench or separate, depending on the day´s schedule.

* Breakfast is served in the dining room while the crew is out preparing for the day.

* The ranch is a BYOB establishment, thus guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol because none is provided at the ranch. We can stop after picking guests up from the airport or if requested, alcohol can be picked up on one of our two weekly town runs.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.