Back to nature bonding at Rawah Ranch

In search of some good old fashioned family time, Kenan Simmons, SLH Vice President of The Americas, headed to Glendevey on the Colorado-Wyoming border for a long weekend of Western wilderness, bonfire bonding, and making the most of the great outdoors.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Set on 8,000 acres within the rugged Laramie River Valley, Rawah Ranch is the real deal when it comes to living the Wild West experience. Over an hour’s drive from the nearest town, this self-styled ‘dude’ ranch was socially distant before its time. And don’t be put off by the distance or the drive (around two-and-a-half hours from Denver Airport with the last hour up a long, winding mountain road in a National Forest) – its remote location is really what sets Rawah Ranch apart, literally and figuratively speaking!

SETTLING IN

Stepping in to our Mackward Cabin felt like arriving on the set of a Ralph Lauren photoshoot – there are rustic, homely touches at every turn, with handpicked wooden furniture and furnishings that hark back to the region’s indigenous and wild frontier past. The wood burning fireplace was the stand-out feature of our cosy cabin, while the views from the windows of towering mountains, a free-flowing river, and the occasional moose in the morning brought the outdoors in.

THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS

With so many activities to choose from, Rawah Ranch is the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature. From sunset horse-back rides with my family, to watching my 12 year old son cast his first fly and catch a wild rainbow trout, our days were filled with a whole host of wholesome experiences. There really is something for everyone at Rawah Ranch, as long as you’re in the mood for an adventure – including archery, skeet shooting, art and crafts, rodeo lessons, and hiking.

The evenings are reserved for down time (after the activity-filled days), whether that’s a cocktail or s’mores by the bonfire, or dining in the main lodge beside a large fireplace or out on the porch overlooking the Laramie River. Rawah Ranch takes farm-to-table dining to the next level, with local thick-cut bacon and wild game meats on the menu, and the opportunity for guests to gather their own eggs from the chickens on the property, everything feels incredibly fresh and locally sourced. There is even a pre-breakfast treat of freshly-made pastries and coffee delivered to a small box in front of your cabin first thing in the mornings, so you’re feeling fuelled and ready to start another action-packed day on the ranch.

SLH INSIDER TIPS

• Give yourself a minimum of four days to enjoy all the activities on offer – there is so much to explore.
• Plan ahead to bring the right clothing, as the days are warm but the temperature drops at night (you may even see snow in June!)
• Ask the ranch in advance for their recommended scenic stops along the route, it will break up your drive and allow you to see even more of the area’s surrounding beauty.
• There is limited Wi-Fi on the ranch and no TVs in the cabins, which makes it the perfect place to unplug from technology and reconnect with your family.
• Be sure to bring a good camera to capture all the natural beauty of this place, and all the memories you are sure to make.