Family Summer Vacations Like No Other

Wake up and smell the Colorado air and the cowboy coffee! Each summer sunrise at C Lazy U welcomes another day of luxury, fun, and Western adventure. Your family is a diverse group full of different interests, and so finding a summer trip that fits the bill for everyone can be a little daunting… but at C Lazy U Ranch, we have something unforgettable for every member of the family. Summer dude ranch vacations at C Lazy U are all-inclusive, meaning that every amenity is taken care of, including:

• Lodging, featuring cozy cabins that combine elegant five-star comfort with touches of the authentic American West – like real wood burning fireplaces and windows with stunning mountain views.
• Meals, which include hearty breakfasts, refreshing lunches, and intimate gourmet dinners from the Executive Chef’s mouth-watering seasonal menu. Ingredients come fresh from the ranch to your table, and pair excellently with our expertly curated wine list and full bar.
• Summer ranch activities are built into your vacation, including the renowned Children’s Program in which children have their own supervised fun while the adults are out enjoying their choice of entertainment. 

Once you step foot on the ranch, all you have to do is sign up for the activities in which you’d like to participate — like daily all-ages horseback riding (on a horse specially matched to your skill and personality for each ride), mountain biking, hiking, shooting trap, tackling the ropes course, or just a day of pampering at the spa — and let us handle the rest.

A Typical Day of Summer Vacation at C Lazy U Ranch

Summer Mornings at the Ranch

It’s rush hour at the ranch. Instead of revving engines and the honking of frustrated drivers, however, you’ll hear bird songs, the clopping of hooves, and the whinnying of horses. Our herd of over 200 horses comes in from pasture every morning for an early performance to kick off the day. It’s an amazing sight: a thunderous parade of horses led by skillful wranglers who corral and saddle them for another day out on the trails.

The day begins with “Cowboy Coffee,” freshly brewed at the lodge fire pit and served alongside a hearty, ranch-style family breakfast that includes all the fixin’s: pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, fruit and pastries. Kids and parents eat this meal together in preparation for the high-energy activities coming their way.

After breakfast, the children join up with their counselors for the morning session and the adults are free to go on horseback trail rides that they’ve signed up for, or choose from myriad other activities like hiking, biking, fishing, or go off-ranch for a game of golf. Whatever you want to do, our concierge is ready to make it happen for you!

Summer Afternoons at the Ranch

Families reunite for lunch and then it’s time to explore 8,500 acres of Summer fun! Adults can take off on horseback again, relax at the spa, play tennis, or simply unwind while reading a book at the pool. There are countless summer ranch activities and other threads of adventure to grab onto, whether you’re in the mood for outdoor excitement or a day of solitude at the unique and unforgettable Lazy You Spa. After all, this is your family summer vacation, too. What better time to treat yourself?

Summer Evenings at the Ranch

To wrap up the day’s activities, adults gather for a cocktail hour and then enjoy a separate gourmet meal in the Main Lodge with fellow guests to share their day’s adventures. The children gather with their counselors for dinner and an evening activity.

After dinner, families come back together once again for the nightly family activity. At the end of the week, after everyone’s brushed up on their horseback riding skills and bonded with their fellow vacationers, guests participate in the Shodeo: kids show off the skills they’ve learned, while the adults compete against each other in pole bending, barrel racing, and more.

Summer Dude Ranch Vacation for the Children

Kids begin their day of summer adventure in the supervised Children’s Program, which provides a classic summer camp experience that children (and teens) will never forget. The C Lazy U dude ranch groups children by age, encouraging them to make lasting friendships with their peers as they participate in exciting and empowering activities, such as:

• Horseback riding
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Scavenger hunts
• Archery
• And more!

Our experienced counselors, some of whom were once little campers at C Lazy U themselves, share their passion for the West and for summer fun. We keep kids entertained throughout the entire day with a variety of activities specially tailored to their ideal Colorado summer vacation.

In the evenings, children and their counselors enjoy dinner together to swap stories about the day’s adventures and continue bonding with their peers.

Summer vacations at C Lazy U are a truly special experience where friendships are forged and lifelong memories are created, and where each day is a perfect balance of fun, family adventure, and just the right amount of solitude — culminating in a formative experience for your children that’s as big and grand as the American West.

Read More: How C Lazy U Ensures Your Children’s Safety on Horseback