The 4UR Ranch is Colorado's quintessential angling/dude ranch offering exclusive access to seven miles of Goose Creek tailwater beneath the only privately owned dam in the U.S. Add a herd of top-quality horses and wrangler services, a wonderful children's program, majestic vistas, legendary hot springs, superb dining and Western lodge luxury and you have the perfect family fly fishing destination. On site fly shop with equipment rental, instruction, guide service.
The Season:
4UR offers a variety of fishing throughout the summer season. Due to prolific hatches, June and July is our biggest dry fly fishing. Hatches include Stoneflies, Green Drakes, Caddis, PMD, just to name a few.
August gets into to our Hopper season, and the start of our Midge hatches.
September fishing brings mystery to our waters because the trout are often looking for terrestrials. Streamers are a favorite with Browns in spawn mode and very aggressive. Most of our fishing is site fishing and most resembles a hunt.
We have 5 guides on staff to take you on the stream, and also assist with fly selections, and information about our waters. We do complimentary casting lessons anytime during the week. The price for a guide is $185 per person per half day, $250 per two people per half day.
Lower Goose Creek:
The pride of our Fishery is Lower Goose Creek, which winds over 6 miles through the valley floor before spilling into the Rio Grande River. Using the English Beat System" as a template we've created 15 private stations along the stream, each ranging in length of 1/4 to 1/3 mile. These are portioned out evenings at dinner through a spirited lottery with guests choosing their favorite for the morning, and reversing the draw for the afternoon.
Lower Goose Creek flows through a private dam at the upper end of the valley and this tailwater provides terrific habitat for our four species of trout, Rainbow, Brown, Brooke, and Cutthroat, which range in size from 6" to 25".
Upper Goose Creek:
The 4UR borders the Rio Grande National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness. Above the dam, Upper Goose Creek flows untamed through the Weminuche and this guided day trip is great for the fisherman looking for a more remote experience, angling for wild trout.
The Rio Grande River:
At the lower end of the valley, Goose Creek empties into the Rio Grande River which flows through 4UR property for a mile and a half. Considered by the State to be "Gold Medal Waters", we have 4 private stations along this stretch. While better known for large Brown Trout, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has stocked the Upper Rio Grande with a wild Rainbow strain that's been a great addition to the angler's challenge. This stretch fishes well pre and post run-off, and even at high water, the fishing will be challenging, but still active.
The Lost Lakes:
An hours drive from the main lodge, the 4UR owns 2 private lakes at timberline know as the "Lost Lakes".The upper of these two spectacular lakes contains predominantly Brook Trout, while the lower, larger lake, fishes predominantly Rainbow and Cutthroat. We have a small rustic cabin on the lake that sleeps four, and overnight or day trips can be scheduled.
Guides are required for this trip and take guests via ranch Suburbans along 4 wheel drive roads to the property. Kayaks are available as well and it's a great trip for both anglers and non-anglers in the family.
Still Water Ponds:
Fishing on the 4UR is "Catch and Release", however we do have two ponds for "Still Water" fishing, one of which anglers and their families are welcome to keep their catch. Our Cordon Bleu Chef, Wray Warner, will be happy to prepare it for your meal.
The 4UR Ranch is within a 5 hour drive from the following 4 airports. The driving routes suggested are generally the quickest and most scenic, and because of their beauty, we highly recommend that you plan your trip to include driving during the day, rather than at night. We also suggest consulting a map rather than relying solely on these directions or a navigational device. Due to the mountainous terrain cell phone service may be intermittent at times.
Airport: Drive time: Distance:
Denver, CO (DIA) 5 hours 270 miles
Directions: This is a beautiful drive through the mountains and high valleys of Colorado. Take Interstate 70 from the airport west to State Highway 470 South. Take State Highway 470 south to US 285 to Fairlplay. Stay on 285 about 170 miles to Colorado Highway 112 at Center
Turn right and travel 13 miles to Del Norte and the junction of Colorado Highway 160. Turn Right and travel approx. 13 miles to South Fork. Bear right at South Fork onto Highway 149 and follow the Rio Grande River approx. 13 miles to a group of red cabins on both sides of the road called Cotton Wood Cove. Just past these turn left onto Goose Creek Road. Go over the river and follow this dirt road 1.5 miles to the 4UR Ranch.
Albuquerque, NM (ABQ) 5 hours 290 miles
Directions. This drive gives you the opportunity to stop along the way in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was founded around 1570 and is a national treasure. From the Airport, take US I25 north to Santa Fe. Then follow US 285 north to Espanola, and straight through to Alamosa, Colorado. Turn left on Highway 160 at Alamosa and follow this about 50 miles to South Fork. Bear right at South Fork onto Highway 149 and follow the Rio Grande River approx. 13 miles to a group of red cabins on both sides of the road called Cotton Wood Cove. Just past these turn left onto Goose Creek Road. Go over the river and follow this dirt road 1.5 miles to the 4UR Ranch.
Durango, CO (DRO) 2 hours 115 miles
Directions: Durango is a smaller airport but is served by Frontier Airlines, United Express, US Airways, and American Eagle. Take US Highway 160 East to Pagosa Springs. then continue North on 160 over beautiful Wolf Creek Pass and continue down into South Fork. Turn left at South Fork onto Highway 149 and follow the Rio Grande River approx. 13 miles to a group of red cabins on both sides of the road called Cotton Wood Cove. Just past these turn left onto Goose Creek Road. Go over the river and follow this dirt road 1.5 miles to the 4UR Ranch.
Colorado Springs, CO (COS) 3.5 - 4 hours 220 miles
Many of our guests tell us they find flying in and out of Colorado Springs very convenient. The airport is small and manageable, and the drive is easy, though less scenic. From Colorado Springs take I25 South to Walsenburg and Colorado Highway 160 West. Exit right and follow Highway 160 through Walsenburg, over La Veta Pass to Alamosa. From Alamosa continue on US Highway 160 West approx. 50 miles to South Fork. Bear right at South Fork onto Highway 149 and follow the Rio Grande River approx. 13 miles to a group of red cabins on both sides of the road called Cotton Wood Cove. Just past these turn left onto Goose Creek Road. Go over the river and follow this dirt road 1.5 miles to the 4UR Ranch.
Alamosa, CO 1 hour 60 miles
Great Lakes Airlines (www.flygreatlakes.com) provides daily commuter flights from Denver to Alamosa. Rental cars are available at this airport, however, should you wish to be picked up, the 4UR Ranch offers complimentary round trip transportation to and from the Alamosa Airport, approximately 60 miles east of the ranch.
From Alamosa take US Highway 160 West approx. 50 miles to South Fork. Bear right at South Fork onto Highway 149 and follow the Rio Grande River approx. 13 miles to a group of red cabins on both sides of the road called Cotton Wood Cove. Just past these turn left onto Goose Creek Road. Go over the river and follow this dirt road 1.5 miles to the 4UR Ranch.
Creede, CO 15 minutes 11 miles
If you have access to a private plane, the town of Creede has an airstrip. The 4UR Ranch will provide you with round trip transportation to and from the Airstrip at your convenience.
The 4UR Ranch is home to the historic Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs and was originally founded in the late 1880s as a Health Resort and Tourist destination.
During that time, General William Palmer founded the Rio Grande Railway, and brought a line to Wagon Wheel Gap, dropping anglers at fishing holes along the way, and picking them up on the way back.
He then tuned his attention to the Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs Hotel, purchased the property, hired architect Thomas McLaren from the British Academy of Architecture to land plan and redevelop the property into a grand spa and guest ranch.
Sometime mid century the name was changed to the ranch brand, reflecting the 4 U's in the 2 double U's (W W) of Wagon Wheel Gap.
Today the 4UR Ranch remains one of the finest private fishing ranches in the Rocky Mountains, offering the angler 6 miles of private tail water, a mile and a half of private fishing along the Rio Grande River, two still water lakes at timberline, and access to fishing in the Weminuche Wilderness.
A typical day for our anglers actually begins at dinner the evening before. ( And just a note here, we have two Cordon Bleu trained chefs, so you won't want to miss a meal.) Dinnertime is when our manager, Aaron Christensen, a Master Guide, holds a lottery for anglers to draw for the following day's fishing stations. Using the English Beat System" as a template we've created private fishing stations along our waters. Winning guests choose their favorite for the morning, and the draw reverses for the afternoon.
Continental Breakfast begins at 7:30, with breakfast from 8 - 9. Anglers usually get on the stream after breakfast and fish until lunch which is served 12:30 - 2:00. Should they wish to stay on the stream, they are welcome to order a box lunch the evening before and it will be ready for them in the morning. Dinner is served 6:30 - 8. (Our guests have their own dining tables and all meals are served by our well trained wait staff.)
For non anglers we offer an exceptional daily children's program, Natural Horsemanship riding and instruction, natural hot springs, a fitness center, massage, and geo-thermal heated swimming pool.
The 4UR is an "All-Inclusive" vacation.
Included in our base-rate:
Your Room:
-Daily Maid Service
-Morning Coffee/Tea Delivery
-Afternoon Ice Delivery
-Nightly Turndown Service
All Meals* (including non-alcoholic beverages)
-Fine Dining prepared by Chef Wray Warner, trained at Cordon Blu in Paris
-Picnic Baskets Available upon Request
-Special Occasion Cakes
* We can accommodate many dietary special needs.
Activities Included:
-Natural Hot Springs
-Private Fly-Fishing
-Sporting Clays and Trap Shooting**
-Horseback-riding
-Natural Horsemanship Lessons
-Supervised Daily Children's Programs
-Swimming Pool
-Bicycles
-Fitness Center
-Free Wi-Fi
Also included:
-Laundry Facilities
-Use of Computer/Printer
-Transportation to and from Alamosa Airport
* Not included in the base-rate:
-Wine and Alcoholic Beverages
-Massage appointments
-Guided Fishing
-Tax and Service Charge
The Main Lodge provides a welcoming living- room area around a stone fireplace, a fully stocked bar for relaxing at the end of the day, and a graceful dining-room furnished with traditional Old Hickory Furniture designs reminiscent of the original 1906 Hotel.
Sleeping Cabins: Nineteen of our twenty-two guest rooms divide between three historic Adirondack style Sleeping Cabins, each named after a local silver mine in the area, the Holy Moses, the Amethyst, and the Commodore. Thomas McLaren of the British Royal Academy of Architecture originally designed these sleeping cabins in 1906. McLaren was commissioned by railroad tycoon and developer General William Palmer (founder of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway) to design and land plan the redevelopment of the Wagon Wheel Gap Hot Springs Hotel, a turn of the century Health Spa and tourist destination. These three buildings have been respectfully and respectively, remodeled, rebuilt, and renovated to provide high standards of comfort and relaxation for the discriminating angler and his or her guests.
The Holy Moses Cabin rests on the highest point west of the property, and is the smallest with just 5 rooms. It is the furthest from the Main Lodge, but it's main porch looks East to the morning sun and has Pierce Creek, a small tributary of Goose Creek running through it's front yard.
The Amethyst Cabin:
Closest to the Spa, swimming pool, fitness room, and hot springs, this 8-room cabin is the favorite of families with children of all ages who enjoy the convenience of proximity.
The Commodore Cabin:
Commodore has 6 rooms and was referred to in historical literature as the "Gate Cabin". Closest to the "gate" leading up the road to the fishing stations, this cabin has a long view of the entire Goose Creek Valley and a pastural scene of the horses grazing. It's southern most room has a private porch with a spectacular view of the valley while its, northern most room has a private porch bordering tiny Pierce Creek and hidden by willows.
Powder Mag:
Powder Mag is known as our "Honeymoon" cabin. Though it attaches to the Owners Cabin on the east, it offers privacy and comfort. It has been renovated and tastefully appointed, and has a lovely private porch facing south to a central lawn.
The Soda Creek Cabin:
Sometime before 1950, a small two bedroom kit-house cabin was built on the Flourspar mine property along Goose Creek, across the creek from the 4UR Ranch. The mine stopped production in 1950 and the Leavell Family acquired the land in the 1980's, and with it the Soda Creek Cabin, named for a small tributary to Goose Creek and another Hot Spring nearby, the Soda Creek Spring.
This small cabin has two bedrooms, a small living area, and two bathrooms. Located a short bicycle ride from the main compound, the Soda Creek Cabin is remote, rustic, and, for those who love an uninterrupted view of the Goose Creek Valley and the Colorado Mountain Stars at night, this little cabin fits the bill.
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