I’ve always dreamed of a spa bathroom with double sinks and radiant floors for those cold late evenings when nature calls. I never thought I would find such joys in a log cabin deep in the woods, in the middle of nature.
The Ranch at Emerald Valley, in the heart of Colorado’s Pikes Peak Forest, is certainly not like the Girl Scout camps of my childhood, places where the typical outdoor “amenities” included bathroom facilities and picnic tables. But that’s exactly what the place was before it changed hands a century ago to Spencer Penrose, a miner who struck it rich and invested in real estate. He built the opulent Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs in 1918 and built cabins on the former Scout grounds as summer residences. (Former Troopers needn’t worry: The Girl Scouts used the sales proceeds to keep the organization thriving in the woods of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.)
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The Emerald Valley Ranch in the heart of Colorado’s Pikes Peak Forest.
Today, these cabins are part of the Broadmoor properties, offering rustic sophistication surrounded by 100,000 acres of Pike National Forest. Surrounded by beautiful blue skies, craggy peaks and towering pine trees, my family was as enchanted by the place as Penrose must have been a century ago.
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My husband and I took our adventurous four-year-old Jimmy here for four days of hiking, fly fishing and the first of what will surely be many pony rides.
Our COVID-era baby loves spending time outdoors, but even given our adventurous natures, all three of us city bums spend more time indoors and behind screens than we’d like. Our TV-free cabin (one of only 10) was a real escape from the sounds of cars and pedestrians back home in Boston.
Fireplaces, Western-style furniture and many works of art give the rooms here a personal and cozy atmosphere.
We stayed for three nights in a comfortable room with western patterns in earth tones and wooden furniture that transported us to another time – and mentality. Mom and Dad shared a queen-sized bed surrounded by windows to let in the chirping of the birds, while Jimmy got his own cozy little bed that was right in a spot next to the gas fireplace.
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The warm hospitality of the Emerald Valley Ranch began from the moment our shuttle from the Broadmoor arrived after a 45-minute drive through pristine forest. We were greeted by the entire staff outside, who led us to the main lodge for warm cookies and blueberry lemonade. Mum and Dad were encouraged to add their spirits of choice to make it an adult beverage, with the option of several local craft liquors from the Olde Swan Tavern. We passed, but Jimmy quickly made friends with bartender Zoe, who makes mocktails for families with children.
Drinks, meals, and activities at the ranch are all-inclusive, and my husband and I were impressed with how quickly the staff learned not only our names, but also my son’s allergies.
The Ranch at Emerald Valley has cedar hot tubs where we could relax after dinner.
The chef customized a menu for the three days we were here so Jimmy could eat almost everything. Three-course dinners are certainly not the chili and beans of cowboy days here, and we feasted on beef from local farms and produce from area farms. It’s all wonderfully understated, though, with shorts and jeans welcome in the main lodge, where the crackle of the fireplace provides warmth in more ways than one.
Jimmy even tried trout after spending an afternoon learning to cast with a fly fishing instructor. Emiliano was like a patient older brother, baiting a child-sized reel for the stocked pond and showing our young fisherman how to reel in (and throw back) his slippery catch.
We were all happy with the hiking trails, the variety of which is suitable for the shortest or strongest and longest legs. Some of the more athletic couples opt for guided hikes to the top, but our family adventures through the woods and fields were an easy path with plenty to see – and taste. Jimmy ate his weight in wild raspberries, marveled at butterflies, and picked wildflowers in front of our cabin.
A little show-and-tell before my son reeled in a fish bigger than Mom or Dad ever caught.
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The experience that brought the most smiles, however, was Jimmy’s first horseback ride atop little mare Annie. Both she and the instructor were extremely patient as he nudged her gently at first with his walking boots, then used a little more force once he got the hang of it. As for Annie’s shoes, Jimmy was fascinated by her horseshoes – a perfect excuse to introduce the iconic lawn game.
One of our favorite parts of the Ranch at Emerald Valley experience was the opportunity to connect with other guests over cocktails during happy hour and nightly s’mores around the fire pit. We met couples on babymoons, others on romantic getaways taking advantage of the beautiful cedar hot tubs, and teenagers flipping the ‘off’ switch on the Nintendo Switch on family vacations. There was also a family who chose the largest cabin for their reunion after finally finding a place they all agreed on. It was easy to see why.
Before Jimmy grows from four to fourteen, we’ve prioritized vacations like The Ranch at Emerald Valley. There is plenty of room to spread out and disconnect, but reconnect with each other and nature at home on the beach.
My Family’s Vacation at a Former Boy Scout Camp, a Perfect Blend of Rustic and Sophisticated, originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop includes guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, itinerary reviews, and travel gear recommendations.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rustic charm, modern luxury: This ranch is the perfect family getaway
