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.
Book your all-inclusive stay at Three Forks Ranch
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.
Our expansive acreage offers you infinite opportunities to view the wildlife that call Three Forks Ranch home. Your guide takes you off the beaten path to show you our Ranch’s hidden treasures — stunning natural beauty, rich historical details, and vistas that will linger in your mind’s eye for years to come.
Breathtaking Terrain
No matter the season, our corner of the Sierra
Madre Mountains offers completely breathtaking views.
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!
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
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT