Vickers' Ranch & Business

Vickers Ranch: The Business

Cabin Rentals
Our cabins are for rent!
Our ultimate goal is to sell our cabins but until that happens, it's business as usual.

History of Business
J.W. Vickers started the ranch about 1920 when he purchased the property from the McCleod family. J.W. quickly came to value the natural resources of the property and the Lake City area. In 1929 he established Vickers Dude Ranch to accommodate the growing tourist trade. Four generations later, the ranch is known as one of the oldest family businesses in Colorado. It is the destination of multiple generations of guests, many of whom have been coming for as many as fifty years.

Lay of the Land
Vickers Ranch is located 2 miles south of Lake City on Highway 149 in the spectacular San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. It is an easy 41/2-hour drive from Denver or Colorado Springs and 3 hours from Grand Junction. Each of these cities has major airports. A commuter airport is one hour North in Gunnison. The resort occupies the lower 80 acres of the 1800±-acre ranch. Visible from the highway, the resort presents a beautiful wooded and open expanse of pastures, trout ponds, river, rustic cabins and outbuildings. It presents a truly spectacular view nestled in the narrow valley below rugged high mountain peaks and amazingly blue Colorado skies.

The property holds four private ponds that vary in size from approximately ½ to 4 acres. The ponds are fed by a continuous flow of water from the 1½ miles of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River which flows through the middle of the ranch.. The river has been improved to create better than normal trout fishing.

The centrally located main ranch house, which housed three generations of Vickers, now serves as the office, central operations point for the ranch and housing for summer staff. Its location has proved to be perfect for providing security as all vehicles and foot traffic entering or leaving the premises must pass the building.

A large, rustic recreation hall sits next to the ranch house and offers ample space with old-west charm for group events such as barbeques, dances, receptions and reunions. It includes restrooms, fireplace, kitchen, bar, tables and benches and a large brick barbeque pit off the patio. Other buildings include a saddle/tack barn, a large workshop and three smaller outbuildings used for various storage and livestock needs. Tucked away in the trees are two singlewide mobile homes used as housing for key ranch personnel.

The nearby business district of Lake City and the surrounding area is a summer destination for camping and resort activities. The main business season runs from Memorial Day weekend into mid October. Loyal clientele of the ranch travel from many surrounding states to enjoy the Rocky Mountain summers of Lake City. The early season generally consists of Colorado and New Mexico residents who want to enjoy a long weekend and an early chance at lake and stream fishing. Seventy-five percent of the client base consists of escapees from the southern summer heat who willingly trek several days to enjoy the incomparable climate of the area. The fall brings many retirees who typically rent for extended periods to fully experience the beautiful fall colors, and the soft warm days and cool evenings of the season. Hunting season brings clients from the mid-west and south.

Cabin Rentals & Concessions
"All I needed were my clothes and some food…" says it all about spending time on the ranch. Across the river, about 400 yards from the highway, sits 21 cabins used as rental accommodations. The first cabins were built in 1929 and additions have occurred up until 1999. Ranging in size from two to four bedrooms, the cabins have been continually updated and modernized to include full kitchens, bathtubs, showers and wood burning fireplaces. Each fully furnished cabin is unique with its own character and charm and situated to provide quiet and privacy. Prices range from $150 - $350 per night. Vickers Ranch is pet friendly $15/day (one pet). There are additional fees for more than one pet.

Horseback rides provide a significant source of income to the ranch. Jeep Rentals Jeep rentals provide income for the ranch and a true convenience for the clientele. These are popular because of the large variety of off road trails in close proximity. If you are interested in purchasing a cabin, please go to the Purchase Information page.

Advertising
Our 76-year history has generated many repeat clients and personal referrals. Word of mouth from this satisfied and happy customer base has been the main advertising. In recent years, use of the Internet has successfully opened up new markets for previously untapped clientele.

Peter and Barbara Jenkins, authors of A Walk Across America spent the winter of 1977 at the ranch writing their book and included the ranch in their memoirs. This became great publicity for the ranch and has resulted in continuous inquiries about the couple and the ranch.

Please view the Purchase Information page if you would like more information about this unparalleled business/real estate opportunity to own your own a piece of Colorado paradise.

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