Smith Fork Ranch — Hotel in Paonia

Our stay at Smith Fork Ranch was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Nestled in the picturesque North Fork Valley with stunning mountain views, the ranch offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The property itself is nothing short of gorgeous, with beautifully maintained grounds and pristine cabins that perfectly blend rustic charm with modern luxury.

The cabins were immaculate and offered a cozy retreat after our days packed with exciting activities. We had the pleasure of staying in a cabin that overlooks Smith Fork Creek. Surrounded by big, beautiful trees, crisp fresh air, and the soothing sounds of the river, we were truly immersed in the tranquility of nature, creating the perfect atmosphere of serene relaxation.

From adults to kids and even babies, Smith Fork Ranch truly has something for everyone. They offer a wonderful variety of relaxing to adventurous activities, some of our favorites being fly fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, skeet shooting, hiking, and so much more. The variety and quality of activities kept our entire family entertained, and there was never a dull moment.

Every meal was a delight, showcasing fresh, local ingredients that highlighted the valley's best flavors. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, making dining an experience to look forward to every day. Even our young son, who is a very picky eater, enjoyed each meal catered by the amazing chefs to meet his every need.

The staff at Smith Fork Ranch were nothing short of incredible, making our stay truly exceptional. From the moment we arrived, they welcomed us with genuine warmth and enthusiasm, immediately making us feel right at home. Their hospitality was beyond compare—they were always more than happy to cater to our every need, no matter how big or small.

What stood out most was their positive, can-do attitude. Every request was met with a smile and a genuine eagerness to ensure we had the best experience possible. Whether it was arranging activities, providing local insights, or simply checking in to see how we were doing, their attention to detail and dedication to guest satisfaction were unparalleled.

A major highlight for us was the kids club activities. The staff were genuinely excited and happy to entertain our children, creating fun and engaging experiences that our kids absolutely loved. The care and attention they provided were remarkable. They had a special team dedicated to looking after our babies and young children, and their professionalism and warmth gave us immense peace of mind.

Knowing our kids were in such good hands allowed us to truly relax and enjoy our vacation. We could participate in various activities or simply unwind, confident that our children were safe, happy, and entertained. This aspect of our stay was invaluable and made our time at Smith Fork Ranch even more enjoyable.

Overall, our time at Smith Fork Ranch was an extraordinary blend of adventure, relaxation, and luxury. We left with hearts full of joy and wonderful memories. We highly recommend this incredible dude ranch to anyone looking for a perfect vacation. Smith Fork Ranch, thank you for an unforgettable experience—we can't wait to return!

🧡 James, Krissy,...

This was an extraordinary and phenomenal vacation and if we could give Smith Fork Ranch (SFR) 6 stars out of 5, we would. The activities (horseback riding, fly fishing, archery, clay shooting and spa) were so much fun and made even more so by the outstanding and incredibly attentive and accommodating guide staff (Levi, Alex, Paul and Lewis) and wrangler staff (Stacy, Hannah, Eve and Kayla). From the moment we arrived, Courtney and Casey (front of house?) made us feel so at home and welcomed us with open arms – we felt like part of the SFR family. ||||Every request was met with a smile and “we can make that happen.” If you wanted the moon they would have lassoed it for you. Even the smallest detail was attended to, like a pot of coffee magically appearing in our house every morning.||||We rode almost every day on horses that we so very well cared for and on some of the most beautiful trails imaginable. The wranglers made sure that we were all comfortable with our horses and assigned horses that matched our skill levels and personalities. You could tell that they put al lot of thought into selecting the right horses for everyone in our group. ||||Being new to fly fishing, after a few days we walked away having learned a fun new sport (that we will definitely try again soon) and pictures of lots of fish that we caught! The guides were great and took us out on the river in waders – it was a zen-like experience.||||The food was just outstanding and a match for any 4 star restaurant. At breakfast, lunch and dinner we were offered a variety of choices and enough to satisfy any appetite. The chef (Marcus) and his staff were very accommodating and baked a special cake to help us celebrate our son’s birthday. It was a great surprise for him. Everywhere he went that day, everyone wished him a happy birthday. The service and bar staff (Taylor, Dylan, Chelsea and Mike) were outstanding, making phenomenal cocktails and just taking such good care of us all around. And what a great wine selection, we had so much fun trying different wines at dinner every evening. ||||We could go on and on raving about SFR, but what is really telling is that as we sit here writing this review, we are trying to figure out when we can get there next...

I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend at Smith Fork Ranch and I don't even know where to start with describing how magical it was. The exquisite beauty of the place, the kindness and attentiveness of the staff, the fresh and fabulous food, everything was about as perfect as it gets. The staff are the real stars here, and they go way out of their way to make sure that guests are happy and having a good time. Too cloudy for an astronomy night? They will figure out line dancing instead! Want to have an impromptu dance party? They will dj it for you! Did your kids discover Shirley Temples and go through all of the maraschino cherries? They will go get more! Does your eight year old want to try barrel racing? They will find the right horse for her to safely give it a try. The staff are the kind of people that you want to hang with out. They are fun and interesting, and each of them has a great story about how they arrived in this special place. We also had a very special evening with the incredible singer-songwriter Emily Scott Robinson, which the ranch arranged for us. Each accommodation is unique and special, as are the common areas. Each meal felt well thought out and was locally sourced. I could go on, but you get the picture. If you have the chance to go here,...