Surrounded on three sides by National Forest, Three Forks Ranch offers our hunters more than 50,000 acres of epic scenery, unmatched exclusivity, and healthy big-game herds of elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.
Our robust combination of limitless adventure, expansive experience and ultimate luxury is unrivaled in North America and keeps hunters returning year after year. In fact, 85% of our hunting guests rebook for the following season, a true testament to the Three Forks experience and a boon to the camaraderie it fosters.
Your expert Three Forks guide will immerse you in a rare “true hunt” — fair chase, spotting, and stalking — with absolutely no high fences anywhere. We take pride in our status as one of Colorado’s premier Ranching for Wildlife properties, which demonstrates our dedication to wildlife conservation.
When you’re not hunting, try your hand at our other activities, including 3D archery, sporting clays, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Perhaps unwind and recharge with a decadent treatment at our Roaring Fork Spa or a soak in one of its hot tubs. Finally, retreat to the finest lodging, where you’ll enjoy mouth-watering cuisine from your private chef, ample beverages and snacks, daily housekeeping, and all the comforts of home (and then some).
At Three Forks Ranch, the thrill of the hunt unfolds over each hour of your stay — from the rapid thump of your heartbeat as you’re surrounded by a herd of elk, to the blood-rush of a tug on your fly line, to the slow-down you crave as you land in your luxury lodge for delectable meals and comfortable sleeps that will soothe your soul (and your soles).
Northwestern Colorado boasts one of the largest elk herds in the world, and Three Forks Ranch happens to be right in the middle of it. Our free-ranging herd swells to nearly 6,000 head in the Fall. Colorado’s Ranching for Wildlife program allows us to start hunting in early September by any legal method. That’s right: We are hunting bull elk with a rifle during the rut. Usually reserved only for archery hunters, this rifle hunt is filled with bugling bulls, called in by our experienced, elk-hunting guides. This is a license-guaranteed hunt. No draw.
Colorado is home to North America’s largest elk herd, with an estimated population of nearly 300,000. Maintaining the habitat and long-term health of big game herds is a top priority for the state of Colorado, and Three Forks Ranch is happy to assist in that mission by providing hunters with this exceptional hunting experience. Looking similar to moose, elk are identifiable by their reddish, light brown bodies with darker legs, chestnut brown necks, slender snouts and pale yellow rumps. Bulls are notable for their antlers, which aren’t palmated and have obvious brow tines coming off the main beam.
"Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person".
FRED BEAR
Mule deer hunting might well be the crème de la crème of big game hunting. Each year at Three Forks Ranch, we harvest a number of trophy bucks. We offer a very limited number of licenses on our thousands of acres, which has dramatically increased the size of our bucks. Experience the hunt of your dreams at Three Forks Ranch. Your ultimate trophy awaits.
"Hunting is the noblest sport yet devised by the hand of man."
ROBERT RUARK
The resident pronghorn antelope herd on Three Forks Ranch approaches 600 head. Each year we harvest fewer than 15 bucks. The pronghorn antelope hunt has become a favorite combination hunt, tied to a mule deer or elk hunt. This nomad of the prairie will test your spot-and-stalk skills, as well as your long-range shooting prowess.
Pronghorn bucks are notable for their prominent horns with a prong or point between the base and tip and black cheek patches on their face. Does may also have horns up to 5 inches, but lack the black cheek patches notable on bucks.
“Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk".
FRED BEAR
Of course, while the guides at Three Forks Ranch will do everything they can to ensure your hunt goes as well as it possibly can, there are a few things you can do in advance of your trip to help prepare. Whether you’re new to hunting or a seasoned pro, there are a few things that every hunter should keep in mind when embarking on any hunt.
If you’re used to hunting somewhere closer to sea level, be prepared for the changes that can occur when going from low altitude to the high altitude at Three Forks Ranch. Higher altitude levels can put a strain on your body and lungs that you might not be used to. Doing a little more cardiovascular exercise, such as jogging, running or bike riding, before your trip can help you perform at your best.
Making sure your body is in the right condition for hunting includes dressing for your hunting trip, too. You’ll want to be sure to pack layers warm and plentiful enough to keep you warm for whatever weather conditions you can expect during your time at Three Forks Ranch. Wool is a great material for base layers and socks, because it keeps you warm while wicking away moisture, which keeps you comfortable on long excursions.
Proper footwear is also important for your trip to Three Forks Ranch. You’ll want to bring boots that are comfortable and sturdy. They should support your feet during a long day on the trail while also keeping them warm and dry. If you’re purchasing new boots for your trip, be sure to break them in before arriving.
With the help of the guides at Three Forks Ranch and a little bit of preparation and proper packing, you’ll be ready to have the hunting experience of a lifetime.
All hunts are six-night, five-day adventures. The dates listed below begin on your arrival day and end on your departure day.
The following hunt rates are per person and include the following:
THREE FORKS RANCH IS A NON-TIPPING DESTINATION
/PERSON
/PERSON
ADD-ON
*Any double or triple combo hunt entitles you to a one-on-one personal guide at no additional charge.
Non-hunting companions may accompany hunters at either our
All-inclusive rate of $1,995 per person per day.
The following items are not included in the above rates: All airfare, hunting license, taxidermy, meat processing, incidental charges, and customary tax and service charges.
Single occupancy is an additional $500 per person per night. One-on-one guiding is an additional $1,750 per week (unless you have purchased a double or triple combo, which entitles you to one-on-one personal guiding).
A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your hunting reservation.
Your balance is due 60 days prior to arrival.
All payments are non-refundable, unless a replacement hunter can be found.
All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
A Hunter Safety Card is required for all hunters born after Jan. 1, 1949. NO EXCEPTIONS. Hunter must be in possession of his/her Hunter Safety Card at the time of licensing. Photocopies of Hunter Safety Cards, course completion certificates, or out-of-state hunting licenses are not acceptable substitutions.
3D Archery
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
Sporting Clays
SUMMER - FALL
South Fork Shooting Complex
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
Horseback Riding
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
Hiking
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
Mountain Biking
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
Wildlife Tours
SUMMER - FALL - WINTER - OUTDOOR
Fly Fishing
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
Ice Fishing
WINTER - OUTDOOR
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
WINTER - OUTDOOR
Cross-Country Skiing
WINTER - OUTDOOR
Snowmobiling
WINTER - OUTDOOR
Snowshoeing
WINTER - OUTDOOR
Tubing
WINTER - OUTDOOR
Wellness Essentials
SUMMER - FALL - WINTER - INDOOR - OUTDOOR
Spa Services
SUMMER - FALL - WINTER - INDOOR
Wellness and Fitness Activities
SUMMER - FALL - WINTER - INDOOR - OUTDOOR
Healthy Dining/Cooking
SUMMER - FALL - WINTER - INDOOR
Shopping in Steamboat
SUMMER - FALL - WINTER - INDOOR - OUTDOOR
Hunting
SUMMER - FALL - OUTDOOR
