On The Road Again: Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

This was my first official HeidiTown trip since the beginning of October and this was not at all like riding a bike. We were okay at the traveling bit and we enjoyed each experience to the absolute fullest. Turns out, I am out of practice when it comes to this bit, writing as the Mayor. 

On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (1)
On the road again at FM Light & Sons in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

When I am traveling and writing and traveling and writing, the writing part is pretty easy because I’m in the groove. And while I couldn’t wait to share this trip with you, this part, the writing part, has been more difficult than ever before. 

I am not complaining. While HeidiTown has slowed to a crawl over the last year and I lost clients, I still have the coolest job ever. However, like many others, I discovered a lot about myself over the past 12 months. Most of all, I need people. Not people online or on zoom, but the real-life, honest-to-goodness face-to-face interactions I have while traveling (even if those are masked face to masked face interactions).

On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (2)
Yampa River, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

On the way the Vista Verde Ranch last week, we stopped for pictures of the river along Yampa Street in Steamboat Springs. As I ran frantically to get a photo while the light was just right on the mountain, I realized, this was normal and I had really missed normal. It is so good to be on the road again. Without further ado, an introduction to the ranch.

Vista Verde Ranch

The ranch is located about 40 minutes north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We drove through the Poudre Canyon, over Cameron Pass and into Walden. This tiny town has my favorite gas station in Colorado because they always have popcorn. Alas, the pandemic has put an end to popcorn for now, but we still stopped and got some snacks. 

RELATED: Latigo Ranch, a Colorado Dude Ranch

Turns out, we didn’t need any snacks for Vista Verde, they supply a lot of snacks. And, like at all the ranches I’ve stayed at, it seems like I am always being fed.

On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (3)
This is the biggest snack basket I have ever seen at any guest ranch or lodging property. It was IN our cabin and all for us.

Every day there were fresh cookies available for guests. The canisters of cookies were in a basket outside of the dining room and every day, Ryan grabbed one. I’ve never known anyone who loves cookies more than Ryan. I was talked into eating one with melty chocolate chips and they are scrumptious. 

On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (8)
These were just outside the dining room and they proved to be too tempting for Ryan to pass by without taking a tin.
On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (9)
This saddle is also outside the dining room and proved that Heidi will be silly in public.

Our cabin had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a fully stocked mini-refrigerator in the kitchenette. There is also a bench for taking off snowy shoes and hooks for jackets just above the heating unit. Every time I put on my jacket it was warm. When I travel, it’s the little things that matter a lot.

Vista Verde is an all-inclusive place, so take advantage of those sodas, juices, and beer in the fridge. There is also a bottle of red wine on the counter and a bottle of white chilling.

On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (5)
This was the view from the Master Bedroom. And Ryan had some fun going through the sale racks at FM Light & Sons.

Plus, in addition to coffee, there is an array of yummy teas to choose from, as well as a hot pot in the cupboard. While I still drink coffee, I love tea. It new enough that I’m still excitedly exploring the tea world.  

The best part of our cabin? The hot tub on the patio directly overlooking a field of horses. 

On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (5)
This was the view from our cabin’s patio. I took a lot of photos of this field of horses!
On The Road Again Vista Verde Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. HeidiTown (6)
And this is looking the other way. Notice the hot tub?

I have little doubt that Vista Verde is absolutely beautiful during the summer, but draped in a coat of white, this ranch has a certain serenity that allows for true relaxation. 

More to come about our stay at the ranch.

Thank you to Vista Verde Ranch for hosting our stay.

5 Comments


  1. Wow! What a wonderful experience! Loved reading all about it.

    Reply

  2. I would love to stay here, sounds wonderful! Do you happen to know if any of the rooms or cabins are wheelchair accessible? I’ve dreamed of writing a blog for wheelchair travelers for years, but I think I have too many irons in the fire already.

    Reply

    1. Ours was wheelchair accessible, with accommodations for chairs most visible in the bathroom.

      The kitchen counters were not at wheelchair height though.

      Destinations often put writers in wheelchair-accessible rooms. I have stayed in many and some have lowered counters.

      This is the kind of place that I would call if I wanted a wheelchair-accessible cabin and they would likely be able to cater to the need.

      What a wonderful idea for a blog! I think having a niche in travel is really helpful and somewhat crucial to success. That would be a good one.

      Reply

      1. Thank you, Heidi!

        Reply

  3. This place sounds perfect. Steamboat might be my favorite place in all of Colorado.

    Reply

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