Nestled in the Sierra Madre Mountains, Three Forks Ranch is a sanctuary for thousands of species of wildlife, birds, trees, and flowers. Our wildlife tours are hands-down the best way to experience both the beauty of the property and the diversity of flora and fauna that call it home.
We have 2 types of wildlife experiences — on foot and behind the wheel! Our hiking tours get you up close and personal with Three Forks Ranch, as you travel in the footsteps of humans who called this land home for millennia while listening to the bull elk bugle and the birds sing. Our Polaris Ranger tours enable you to survey the vastness of Three Forks; our geological diversity lends itself to stunning vistas around each turn.
DURATION
2 Hours
SKILL LEVEL
All
BEST TIME OF YEAR
May-November
MAX. PARTICIPANTS
5:1 Guest to Guide Ratio / Max: 20
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Animals and rangers
HOW TO PREPARE
Weather appropriate clothing for early mornings
No matter what wildlife trip mode you choose, do not forget your camera!
(And if you do, no worries — your guide has one!)
Native Americans call elk “wapiti,” meaning “light-colored deer.” While related to deer, elk are much larger — the bulls range in weight from 650 to 900 pounds and the cows 450-550. Elk were once found across much of North America but now take refuge in more remote locations. Northwestern Colorado boasts one of the largest and healthiest elk populations in the world — and Three Forks Ranch happens to be right in the middle of it. Three Forks Ranch’s free-ranging elk herd swells to nearly 6,000 head in the Fall.
About three feet tall at their shoulders, Pronghorn are among the speediest animals in the world, coming in second place only to the cheetah— clocking rates of more than 53 miles per hour. Pronghorns are also great distance runners that can travel for miles at half that speed. Their impressive backward-curving horns are found on both males and females. Male horns can reach lengths of more than a foot long, while female horns grow to about 4 inches. As herbivores, they prefer to eat grass, sagebrush, and other vegetation. Their diet in our landscape consists of 60% forbs, 25% shrubs, and 15% grass. Pronghorns mate each fall — sometimes in dramatic fashion. Bucks gather harems of females and attempt to jealously protect them, sometimes battling rival bucks horn-to-horn. In the spring, females give birth to one or two young, which can outrun a human after just a few days. Three Forks Ranch is home to about 600 Pronghorn, who roam freely across the 200,000-acre landscape.
The red fox is one of the smaller members of the Canidae family, with top weights ranging between only 8-15 pounds and a length of only 3-4 feet. They tend to be loners, traveling solo and sticking to a range of about 5-10 square miles. Although commonly red in color, they can also sport shades of silver and black — but the white tip of their tales remains a most telling feature. Watching one scamper across a pasture graced with fresh snow is a magical sight. Nestled in the Sierra Madres of the Rocky Mountains, Three Forks Ranch is a sanctuary for hundreds of species of wildlife, birds, trees and flowers. Let one of our guides pick you up in one of our Polaris Rangers with hot coffee and pastries and take you on an early morning adventure that rivals an exotic safari.
At Three Forks Ranch, we understand the importance of maintaining our natural surroundings, which is why we serve as a sanctuary for many different animals. During your stay with us, you may see deer, elk, foxes and more from your suite or the Main Lodge as you experience adventures across our property.
One of the best ways to get a closer look at the surrounding wildlife is partaking in our wildlife group tours. We offer these private tours during every season to allow all guests to see many animals in different phases of life. See baby deer and foxes in the spring, identify numerous songbirds in the fall or try spotting elk through the trees in the winter.
Regardless of the season, our expert guides will ensure your nature and wildlife tour is an unforgettable experience. Three Forks is the best place to see wildlife in Colorado and our guides are experts on the best times and locations to view the surrounding wildlife.
Reconnect with nature in a new way while staying at Three Forks Ranch. Whether you try our wildlife tour or any other seasonal activities such as snowmobiling or hiking, there are plenty of chances to catch a glimpse of deer, songbirds, chipmunks and more. As you pause to view the abundant natural beauty at Three Forks, you may find your worries slowly slipping away as you reconnect with your natural surroundings.
Reestablish your connection with nature by booking a stay at Three Forks Ranch!
America's finest trout stream is here, waiting for you. We are comitted to ensuring our fish populartions are conserved and protected, leading our guests to routinely rank fly fishing at Three Forks Ranch as the best fly fishing in Colorado, North America — and perhaps the world.
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If you can dream it, you can likely do it here at Three Forks Ranch — and ice fishing is no exception. Originally just a hobby of some of our winter guides, guest interest inspired us to offer this thrilling activity throughout the season. We’re happy to accommodate your deepest fishing desires — even in the deepest of winter.
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The South Fork Shooting Complex is located in an open field setting under a covered shooting house that offers fun, rain or shine. Our shooting house serves as a combined pistol range and rifle range so guests can customize their shooting experience all in one visit.
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Private Skiing. You read that correctly. Three Forks Mountain, blanketed by hundreds of inches of snow every year, boasts 1,100 vertical feet with 20 runs for every level. Its natural cruisers, bumps, steeps, open meadows, and majestic tree lines make for a world-class experience.
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Our Antler Ridge 3D Archery Course has 13 stations, which are an easy walk along the trail from the instruction station, where you can learn archery for the first time or hone your skills with our expert guides. The course was designed and constructed by Three Forks guides, so it’s especially customized for the ultimate ranch experience.
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Nestled in a picturesque Aspen valley, the Elk Ridge Sporting Clays course offers 12 shooting stations designed for the novice to expert. Your personal guide will give you a tour through the 50-shot or 100-shot Pope and Young course to test and strengthen your abilities.
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If there ever was five-star snowmobiling, this is it. Thousands of private acres, no crowds, many miles of guided snowmobile trails and acre after acre of pristine powder. It’s a unique experience that really represents the best of Three Forks. All rides are privately guided, using environmentally-sound, four-cycle snowmobiles.
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Lodge & Spa guests consistently rank Thrill Hill, one of our tubing hills, as a favorite winter experience. The best part? You don’t have to trudge back to the top! We drive your group back to the top so the fun keeps going. Tubing is a thrilling experiencr for couples, groups and families.
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It’s your turn to take the reins at Three Forks Ranch. Our ranch has a fine complement of horses for your trail riding pleasure no matter your level of experience. Explore miles of scenic trails offer insider-only access to this stunning part of the country. Our wranglers take you off the beaten path to show you our Ranch’s hidden treasures.
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Whether you crave the rush of speeding down the mountainside on your bike, or you prefer a quiet afternoon cruise to spot flora, fauna, and wildlife, a ride with one of our experienced guides is sure to show you a side of Three Forks Ranch that you can only get on two wheels.
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A guided hike, completely personalized to your abilities and goals, enables you to step back in time at the historic homesteads of South Fork Road, hear elk bugling during their late summer mating season, and scan stunning 360-degree views with no human development in sight.
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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.
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Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT