Location: Cortez, Mesa Verde, Southwest, Colorado, USA (McElmo Canyon,17 Miles to Cortez & 40 min. to Mesa Verde.) View Map
Accommodations: Country House / Chateau, 2 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 1 Bath (Sleeps 4)
Keywords: Guest Ranch, Vacation Rental
If you have ever long for a place to stay in the Four-Corners area and don’t want to stay at noisy hotel, our Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch & Vacation Rental will be the very right place for you to rest your hearts and souls while exploring thousand years of ancient ruins and savoring the simplicity of life! It is not a Bed & Breakfast, but a private home that we want to share our passion for history, archeology and the beauty of Southwestern Colorado.
The Ranch is located at the peaceful and quaint McElmo Canyon, a quasi-Sedona setting in the Southwest of Colorado. It was once owned by a legendary cowboy, Elden Zwicker, in the Canyon. The road leads to the Ranch was called “Mormon Road” where the early Mormons migrated through to Utah. The road is also nicknamed “Robber’s Path”, it was said that Butch Cassidy had hid his fortune in the Canyon, and old timers here knew that someone had discovered a bag of gold in the 40s.
There are over 5000 documented archeological sites in this beautiful area waiting for you to explore. The Canyon of the Ancients National Monument is the key archeological landmark at McElmo Canyon.
The Ranch is in close proximity to worldly renown tourist attractions such as Mesa Verde, Durango, Canyon of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument, Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, Pagosa Springs and Telluride. It is a perfect place for your Southwestern Colorado adventure!
Rental:
Elden Stone House -It is a historical house that the old Zwicker family lived and has been restored and renovated to offer you a comfort stay which is great for your family to experience Southwest ranch and cowboy lifestyle. The Elden Stone House comes with 2 bedrooms, a living room with a stone fireplace, comfy/ranch style sofa, flat-screen TV/VCR, a full kitchen with oven, microwave, coffee maker, refrigerator, and a laundry room with washer & dryer as well as laundry detergent. It can comfortably accommodate 4 to 6 people. There is an old-style ranch BBQ at the porch. A gazebo under the ancient Locust tree provides you a place to chill out in the hot summer day.
Activities:
There are many different things that you can do at/around the ranch. If you like hiking, climbing up to the unknown hills at the property is a great way to exercise your muscles.
If archeology is your favorite, then the nearby ruins and petroglyphs will be your best be. It will take you at least several days to explore few of them. We have Petroglyph Photo Tour that you can sign up to find and photo interesting petroglyph panels. Please contact us for details.
Horse-back riding is an option for those who love riding. You can either bring your own horses or join the guided tour. Our neighbor “Canyon Trail Ranch” offer half-day , full-day or overnight camp-out trip.
If you just want to have a restful vacation, you can do nothing but to appreciate the green pastures along the cottonwood groves, marvel at 400 year old the cedar pines on the mesas, enjoy the fabulous sunsets that changes everyday, listening to the birds singing and watch thousand of stars during the night.
Nearby attractions like Canyon of The Ancients Monument, Mesa Verde, Mancos Stagecoach ride, Durango Steam Train, Monument Valley or Mexican Hat are all very close within 1.5 hour drive. The famous sky resort Telluride is 2 hours away. By staying here, you will be able to explore major attractions around the Four Corners region.
We look forward to providing a unique vacation experience.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Off Street Parking : Plenty of parking at our ranch
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Entertainment
- Sauna : A steam sauna is at ranch's luxious sunroom/green house is provided for your relaxation
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library : We have quite a few old time movies. The documentary "American Cowboy" of the family who lived here for in the past 50 years was taken 15 years ago, we highly recommended our guest to view it.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Gazebo
- View/Location
- Mountain View : The mysterious "Sleeping Ute" Mountaion is just in front of you.
- Monument View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance : Free for domestic phone calls
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Daily organic free-range chicken eggs are provided for our guests. We also grow our vegetables organically, you are welcome to pick up whatever available in the garden for your meal (seasonal)
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly : Kids will have fun seeing our animals - cows, horses, turkeys, chickens and dogs
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Racquetball
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Rafting
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Petroglyph Tours, Ancient Indian Ruins/Archeological Expedition, Cultural events in Cortez
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$250/night (minimum 2 nights)
Please inquire for longer term rate.
50% advanced deposit will be required for guaranteed booking.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2006
The Unique Benefits at this Country House / Chateau
You will be able to experience the authentic farm life here at our place. It is a working ranch with livestock happily walking around, our 30+ chickens are pretty happy playing around the coop and pastures. You are welcome to pick up fresh free-ranch eggs and organic vegetable for your meal. It's a place to relax and rejuvenate your mind and soul....
Owner's Map of Cortez
It seemed to be our destiny to settle here after we got married. Garry came to visit Mesa Verde when he was 6 and since then he was fascinated with native Indian culture and architecture. More interesting is that I found a piece of pottery at my sister-in-law's house in town with my Chinese last name on. It made me speechless!!
We love it here and the history of this place. Since we moved here, we have been making a lot of efforts to preserve the old history of this ranch. We restored the Elden Stone House, renovated the Cowboy Log Cabin and the Pioneer Barn House. We grow organic vegetables, raise grass-fed beef and our chickens are very happy roaming around our pastures.
Even though we are not farmers by trade, it is the simplicity and freedom of life we treasure. We enjoy meeting people around the world and hope to make this place more self-sufficient and a place that our guests will come back again and again...
Property Photos
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- Ranch Overview with Sleeping Ute at the back - Cortez Vacation Rentals
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- Our Long Horn lady - Cortez Vacation Rentals
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- Elden Stone House Patio - Cortez Vacation Rentals
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- Living Room with beautiful stone wall & fireplace
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- Bedroom with Queen bed
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- Bedroom with Full bed
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- Elden Stone House
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- Ranch in the Fall
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- Our organically-grown vegetables and watermelons
Traveler Reviews (3)
Lovely stop on our busy, cross-country drive
Guest: Cynthia
(Queen Creek, AZ)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11
Review Submitted: 07/15/11
This was a charming place to stay and experience a taste of the Old West in comfort. Our son was able to explore the farm, catch a lizard, and swim in the pond. It was a relaxing, quiet and interesting place to stay. Our hosts were charming, as well. We only wish we could have stayed longer and explore the area more.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+, families with young children.
Best vacations we ever had for a whole family!
Guest: Asia i Bartek
(Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10
Review Submitted: 10/18/10
Garry and Ming, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful place with us. Our kids loved the farm experience, finally got to see where eggs come from (haha) and learned few new words (moo). As for us, thank you once more for spending all that time on showing us these beautiful spots. We do share your love for the history and your surroundings definitely warmed up our hearts for it even more. You showed us how wonderful and easy life can be when you do what you love! Thank you again. We do hope we can come back again. All our love and best wishes. Joanna and Bartek
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, pet owners, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Find your home away from home
Guest: suavecoyote
(Belgium)
Date of Stay: 08/28/09
Review Submitted: 07/15/10
Garry and Ming's place is simply awesome! My wife and I have spent our summer vacations in the Southwest for the last 25-odd years and have always been lucky to find good accommodations. But when we found this place two years ago (and we stayed there again last year and are looking forward to stay there once again later this summer) we felt we had hit the jackpot! It's not only the place itself (which is fantastic) but the way your hosts make you feel welcome and simply pamper you thru your stay. It's a shame I can only give them 5 stars - they sure deserve more!!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #176850
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