In the wild, wild west, in the middle of the Rocky Mountains where the Colorado River runs off the Continental Divide, is a picture-perfect valley where horses graze on green meadows and blue skies stretch overhead. Here, a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive, year-round guest ranch welcomes anyone who wants to trade city-slicker stress for the carefree, cowboy-style lifestyle of yesteryear.
Throughout its long history, C Lazy U – located in Granby, the heart of Colorado ranch country – has been transforming everyday folks into ‘dudes’ and ‘dudettes.’ Its educational outdoor programming, rustic elegance, legendary locavore cuisine, and signature ‘5-Spur Service’ are still standard. This year, the destination that pioneered the ‘Guest Dude Ranch’ vacation celebrates its 100th birthday. Although a few things have changed since the early days, visitors will still find an idyllic slice of old Colorado.
A Storied, Pioneer Past
Wilson Smillie, a Harvard professor, medical doctor, and son of early Colorado pioneers, purchased the property in 1919; however, it was his brother Jack who built the ranch along with his wife, Gertrude.
C Lazy U initially functioned as a working cattle ranch until two ladies – friends of Wilson from Massachusetts – visited. They enjoyed themselves so much that they encouraged Jack and Gertrude to open the ranch to outside guests, a novel idea at the time.
Jack and Gertrude constructed the barn in 1925 and added several guest cabins and even a bathhouse, making it one of the first area ranches to boast the luxury of running water. Guests eagerly streamed in from across the country to experience the ‘real’ Wild West, testing their skills in horseback riding, trout fishing, and bear hunting, at a cost of approximately $40 a week.
Today, C Lazy U offers more modern amenities, including an award-winning spa and a general store housed in an old donkey barn. However, the original lodge, cabins, and guest dude ranch offerings have changed only slightly (bear hunting is no longer offered), and the beautiful Colorado backdrop remains as pristine as ever.
The Guest Dude Ranch Experience
When most travelers hear the term ‘all-inclusive resort,’ images of sipping a margarita poolside in Mexico tend to spring to mind. Nevertheless, C Lazy U is indeed all-inclusive, encompassing up to two trail rides each day, horsemanship instruction, dining, and accommodations. You won’t have to pull out your wallet during your stay: just check in, don your boots and cowboy hat, and get ready to ride … and relax.
C Lazy U is renowned for its variety of horse instruction and for guiding guests on horseback through the endless surrounding valleys and mountains. Everyone can ride, regardless of skill level; experienced wranglers can transform even the most car-loving city dwellers into seasoned cowboys and cowgirls by the end of their stay.
Adults can request daily individual or group horseback riding lessons or join a morning or afternoon ride. Rides range from ‘scenic and slow’ (a nice stroll) to ‘experienced’ (moments of trotting and loping through the woods and into the mountains).
Children can expect top-notch instruction, paired with others of the same experience level. The children’s wranglers skillfully teach even the most hesitant child, inspiring loads of confidence. Little ones who already possess equestrian experience will see their horsemanship skills advance significantly by the end of their stay.
Wild West Activities Galore
While C Lazy U excels in equine experiences, its list of daily outdoor activities is endless. Test your skills or add new ones to your outdoor repertoire with archery, fly fishing, trap shooting, mountain biking, guided hiking, and more. Moreover, you can relax with a sunrise yoga class or enjoy a leisurely walk through the woods. Since C Lazy U operates year-round, the most fun in the great outdoors often occurs in winter, when guests engage in snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and hockey.
Even the littlest buckaroos can partake in fun-and-games galore, while moms and dads enjoy some well-deserved free time, thanks to the daily kids programming. Children are divided by age groups and, under the guidance of their assigned kid wrangler, enjoy horseback riding, hikes, bike rides, and bird-watching expeditions. Tiny tots unable to ride can engage in age-appropriate activities, including guided hikes, animal track hunting, and crafts, as well as playground and pool time.
C Lazy U provides rustic yet luxurious ranch accommodations in 40 cabins, including individual rooms and private one- to three-bedroom cabins. Though nestled in the western wilderness, each cabin offers luxury amenities such as oversized bathtubs, plush bathrobes, nightly turndown service, and cozy fireplaces stocked with firewood, replenished daily. All accommodations are conveniently located within walking distance of the Main Lodge.
Gourmet Ranch Fare and Lazy You Spa
Meals at C Lazy U are served family-style in the lodge, where the resident Ranch Executive Chef prepares gourmet dishes focusing on local ingredients, including aged Western beef, Rocky Mountain trout, and rosemary rack of lamb. A sommelier expertly pairs wine from the extensive cellar with every dish. After dinner, guests often gather around the firepit to enjoy drinks, nightly entertainment, and mingling with other guests, as C Lazy U is known for fostering long-lasting friendships among visitors.
After a jam-packed schedule of exciting outdoor activities, you can head to the full-service Lazy You Spa, located on the banks of Willow Creek. This spa comprises six luxurious tents and is one of Colorado’s unique wellness retreats. Indulge in signature treatments like a ‘Rancher Foot Rub,’ a detoxifying ‘Wrangler Wrap,’ or a ‘Cowboy Soak’ – a relaxing moonlit bath in a copper tub overlooking the Continental Divide.
A pro tip is to request a massage in one of the two massage tents suspended over the river. These ‘only-in-Colorado’ experiences feature glass floors, allowing you to look into the rambling river below as you enjoy your massage.
Getting There
C Lazy U Ranch is located just off Highway 125, approximately 2.5 hours by car from Denver International Airport, in Granby, Colorado.
