Gateway to the San Juans
The Lazy Rooster is the perfect base camp for exploring the beauty, culture and history of the southwestern Colorado
Rico
Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, Rico, Colorado is a historic mining town that offers visitors a blend of rugged history and untouched natural beauty. Founded in the late 1800s during the silver boom, Rico once thrived with bustling mines, saloons, and the echoes of frontier life—traces of which remain in its charming historic buildings and quiet streets.
Today, the town is celebrated for its remote, peaceful setting surrounded by alpine peaks, pristine forests, and access to trails and abundant wildlife. With fewer than 300 residents, Rico retains an authentic small-town spirit, making it an ideal base for travelers seeking quiet respite, outdoor adventure, or a step back into Colorado’s storied past.
Some of our favorites in Rico:
Enterprise Bar & Grill: Your spot for hearty food and live music on the weekends! This historic bar, open for over 130 years, provides a true local experience with a fresh menu and a selection of Colorado brews.
The Prospector: Experience fine dining with a laid-back mountain feel. Led by a chef with world-class experience, this cozy restaurant offers a high-quality, seasonal menu with a focus on fresh, ethical food.
Fireweed Cafe & Mercantile: A community favorite for organic coffee, smoothies, and delicious light meals. The Mercantile section is your go-to spot for supporting local by offering specialty dry goods, local produce, and unique gifts.
Mountain Top Fuel: Stop here for all your essential provisions and supplies to keep your adventure going, from gasoline to basic necessities.
Rico Historical Society Museum: Explore informative exhibits on the town's rich mining and railroad history, often staffed by long-time residents eager to share personal stories of Rico's past.
Telluride
Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture, or simply a beautiful day trip, Telluride is a must-see gem less than an hour from Lazy Rooster Ranch. Once a thriving silver mining hub, Telluride is now famous for its dramatic box-canyon setting, colorful Victorian architecture, and year-round festivals that draw music lovers, film buffs, and foodies from around the world.
Stroll historic Main Street for boutique shopping, vibrant dining, and art galleries, or venture out for hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and a packed calendar of events like the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Telluride Film Festival.
Things to do in Telluride:
Soar High on the Free Gondola: Take a complimentary, 13-minute scenic ride on the one-of-a-kind Gondola that connects the historic Town of Telluride with Mountain Village. From the mid-point San Sophia Station, you can grab a world-class meal at Allred's Restaurant while taking in sweeping 10,500-foot views of the San Juan Mountains.
Hike to an Alpine Waterfall: Challenge yourself with the popular hike to Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado's tallest free-falling waterfall (365 ft). For a trail starting right from town, explore the scenic Bear Creek Trail, which leads to cascading falls and stunning canyon vistas.
Embrace the Festival Spirit: Plan your trip around one of Telluride’s legendary events, such as the renowned Telluride Film Festival, the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, or the late-summer fun of the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival.
Explore Historic Colorado Avenue (Main Street): Wander through the charming downtown district, a National Historic Landmark. Stop by local favorites like The Floradora Saloon for a historic meal, or browse the curated selection of titles at Between the Covers Bookstore.
Durango
A visit to Durango, Colorado, is a unique step back in time where the spirit of the Old West remains vividly alive. The city's historic downtown is a registered district, beckoning visitors to stroll Main Avenue and admire preserved Victorian and Western architecture, including the famous Strater Hotel. This vibrant area is a hub for boutique shopping, eclectic art galleries, and an award-winning culinary scene—from laid-back brewpubs to sophisticated fine dining—ensuring that after a day of adventure, you can indulge in a gourmet meal or find the perfect keepsake.
Beyond the historic buildings, Durango is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains and sits in the Animas River Valley, making it a world-class destination for outdoor enthusiasts. From thrilling adventures like whitewater rafting on the Animas River and conquering challenging mountain biking and climbing trails, to tranquil activities such as fly fishing Gold Medal waters and hiking to high alpine lakes, the possibilities for year-round exploration are endless. The city serves as a perfect basecamp to access millions of acres of national forest and spectacular backcountry.
No trip to Durango is complete without experiencing the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This iconic, coal-fired, steam-powered train winds through some of the most spectacular and otherwise inaccessible canyons of the San Juan National Forest, offering breathtaking views and a direct connection to the region's mining and railroad history. This combination of rich heritage, vibrant town life, and immediate access to unparalleled wilderness solidifies Durango as a must-visit Colorado destination.
Wilderness & Adventure
The ranch is a spectacular base camp for San Juan Mountain adventures. Surrounded by the San Juan National Forest and sitting near the headwaters of the Dolores River, the area offers world-class high-country exploration. Hikers have an array of options, including the popular, moderate-to-strenuous Rico-Silverton Trail (part of the Colorado Trail), which climbs to high passes like Rolling Pass, offering panoramic views and high alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers. Another favorite is the local Ryman Trail loop, easily accessible from Highway 145, which guides trekkers through beautiful aspen and conifer forests alongside Ryman Creek. For those on two wheels, the Rico area is renowned for its challenging mountain biking; a must-do is the CT - Blackhawk Pass section of the Colorado Trail, famous for its high-elevation thrills and long-distance epic connections.
The aquatic opportunities around Rico are equally compelling. Our section of the Dolores River is a gem for fly fishing, particularly known as a fantastic cutthroat trout fishery where dry flies are often highly effective (learn more). All along the river valley, anglers will enjoy fishing crystal-clear, uncrowded mountain waters amid breathtaking scenery, where a mix of rainbows and browns can also be found in the lower reaches. Just north of town, Trout Lake, nestled beneath the towering Lizard Head Pass, is a local favorite for non-motorized recreation. Visitors can enjoy serene activities like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, canoeing, and fishing right from the shore or by boat, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing day trip or a scenic picnic.
As summer transitions into fall, the Rico area becomes a major destination for big game enthusiasts. While the peak summer months focus on hiking and fishing, the Colorado hunting season for species like elk, deer, and black bear typically begins in September with archery and muzzleloader seasons, extending through various rifle seasons into late fall. The vast San Juan National Forest provides millions of acres of prime habitat, making Rico an essential stop for hunters seeking a true Rocky Mountain wilderness experience, but visitors should always be aware of the season dates and regulations set by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)..
Mesa Verde National Park
Just over an hour’s drive from the ranch, Mesa Verde National Park is an unforgettable journey into the past. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park is unlike any other, having been established to preserve the works of man rather than natural scenery. For over 700 years, from approximately A.D. 600 to 1300, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities high atop this plateau, cultivating the land and leaving behind a profound cultural legacy.
Mesa Verde is home to over 5,000 archaeological sites, with its most stunning attractions being the spectacular cliff dwellings. These intricate, multi-story stone villages, such as the famous Cliff Palace and Balcony House, were ingeniously constructed beneath overhanging cliffs, creating sheltered residences that have been remarkably preserved. Visitors can take ranger-guided tours to descend into these architectural marvels, offering an intimate look at the ancient homes and ceremonial kivas where a sophisticated society once lived.
The park invites you to ponder the great mystery of why the Ancestral Pueblo people departed the area around A.D. 1300, leaving their homes intact. Whether exploring the mesa-top sites, driving the scenic routes, or hiking the trails, Mesa Verde offers a powerful and tangible connection to America's diverse cultural heritage. It stands as a timeless monument to the resilience and artistry of an ancient people.