Eco-Friendly Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Devil’s Thumb Ranch encompasses 5000 acres at the foot of the Continental Divide in the beautiful Ranch Creek Valley of Grand County, Colorado. Located in the wild, but close to civilization; in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, 65 miles west of Denver, and 10 minutes from Winter Park, this eco-lodge has a lot to offer green travelers all year long.

The Lodge at Devil's Thumb Ranch

LODGING CHOICES:

Devil’s Thumb Ranch offers two types of lodging. First there’s The Lodge at Devil’s Thumb Ranch designed in the architectural style known as “Parkitecture” in honor of nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. The Lodge offers single and multi-room suites, a cafe, pub/bistro, fitness center, theater, a six-sided, three-story fireplace constructed from stones gathered from a rockslide near the Ranch, and even a miniature bowling alley.

Your second option are personal and amazing looking Cabins at Devil’s Thumb Ranch which are tucked into the forest, perfect for a romantic getaway or even a larger party. Cabins range in size from one bedroom lofts to spacious four bedroom cabins with full kitchens and two baths. You can take visual tours of all the cabins which is excellent. All lodging at the ranch is stocked carefully with hand-chosen antiques, bathrobes, down bedding and all of the cabins include fireplaces.

Horseback riding at Devil's Thumb Ranch.

WHAT TO DO:

• Visit the 10,000 square foot spa! Relax, take yoga, attend Sunrise Meditation, have a hot stone massage, an exfoliating body scrub, a high altitude facial or a couples relaxation treatment.
• Dine at one of their organic, sustainable restaurants like the Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon, Heck’s Tavern or John Ls Wine Cellar.
• Explore the outdoors by horseback, sleigh or wagon.
• Cross country ski over 100km of groomed trails.
• Go snowshoeing or hiking.
• Fly fish, take a float or wade trip, go rafting, kayaking, and more if you’re into water fun.
• Go mountain biking
• Swim
• And SO much more.

There are way too many fun things to do – I can’t list them all because I’d be here all day. See all the recreation options. Basically, if you like outdoor recreation that ends with chill nights in your room or cabin this is an awesome place to be.

Produce is grown locally and organically, to ensure a a flavorful and healthy dining experience.

ECO-PERKS AT THE RANCH:

Devil’s Thumb Ranch is packed full of eco-perks; in fact the lodge that’s there now is actually a new lodge. The Ranch’s former smaller lodge was not torn down and tossed out though but repuporsed as a bunkhouse for out of town employees and entertainers. Other eco-perks include…

• The Ranch received a Mountain Living Magazine award for sustainable building practices, and an EPA Award for Environmentally Sensitive Remodeling and Expansion in 2004.
• Buildings and cabins are geothermally heated.
• The Ranch House Restaurant works with local vendors and farmers who practice sustainable growth practices and organic meats and produce are used for meals.
• Their Broad Axe Barn features beams saved from a Civil-War Era barn.
• Many of the  floors at the Ranch are reclaimed spruce wood.
• Florescent bulbs are used extensively.
• The Ranch has a water sand filtration system for water filtration and purification, avoiding reliance on man-made resources for water.
• All natural, organic and biodegradable cleaning and spa products are used at the Ranch.
• Bath towels are made with a micro-cotton that takes 20% less time to dry in a commercial dryer.
• Linens are changed every three days instead of daily unless requested.
• They also have plenty of little things they do such as constant recycling, green cleaning

RESERVATIONS:

Rates start at very reasonable prices and right now the Ranch has some super package deals too. Visit the Rates & Packages page at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch to learn more.

[images via Devil’s Thumb Ranch]