Daily Duck Walks, New Glamping Yurts, Free Eggs, Off-Grid Accommodations and a Big Anniversary; Here’s What’s New and Notable at Arapaho Valley Ranch This Year
GRANBY, Colo., April 2, 2025 – Every morning this summer, guests of Arapaho Valley Ranch, a glamping destination in Colorado’s Grand County, can watch as a member of the ranch staff leads a line of ducks from their wildlife-proof overnight accommodations to the onsite pond. There, the lucky ducks will spend their days frolicking in the water and entertaining guests.
Why? The better question is “why not?.” The brainchild of one of the ranch’s fun-loving staffers, these daily duck walks are one of many quirky, just-plain-fun offerings this summer at this 80-year-old, off-grid glamping destination situated on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park.
“Arapaho Valley Ranch is a place where we urge our guests to relax and have fun their way,” said Hayden Hughes, ranch manager. “After watching the ducks head to their own daily adventure, our guests can pursue their own adventures, whether it involves fishing or canoeing in the pond where the ducks are playing, hiking on the ranch trails or heading to Rocky Mountain National Park.”
Located at the south end of Colorado’s Lake Granby, Arapaho Valley Ranch is a guest ranch and popular year-round adventure-focused glamping destination with a long and rich history. The ranch has been welcoming guests since 1945.
Surrounded by the Arapaho National Forest, the ranch is 100 percent self-sustaining. The drive time is two hours and 15 minutes from Denver, three hours from Fort Collins, three hours from Colorado Springs and a half hour from Granby.
What’s New in 2025:
Arapaho Valley Ranch Marks 80th Anniversary – Arapaho Valley Ranch has been welcoming guests since 1945. Situated on what once was Arapaho and Cheyenne land, the ranch was originally a dude ranch. It later became a guest ranch owned by a musically inclined family who invited their friends to stay and play music together. The ranch then became a private home. In 2021, Arapaho Valley Ranch was purchased by the Tiehen Group, a commercial and property management company in the Kansas City area.
Two new glamping yurts – The ranch has added two new glamping yurts to its lineup of glamping accommodations. The yurts can accommodate up to six people and include two queen beds, a pull-out couch, cooking equipment including a camp kitchen box with plates silverware, frying pan, mugs, cooking utensils, cooler and French press for coffee.
Ducks, chickens and free eggs – The ranch is going to the birds this year with the addition of ducks and chickens. The ducks will roam the ranch land by day after a daily morning duck walk from their pen to a nearby pond, a sight that will certainly prompt guest smiles. The ranch will also raise chickens. Any eggs they produce will be gathered and offered free to guests.
High-tech, off-grid city (sort of) – Arapaho Valley Ranch has invested heavily in its power and water infrastructure, and it is entirely off-grid. The ranch produces power via a solar array, with power supplemented by a backup generator when required. The ranch also made large infrastructure upgrades to the water system, essentially operating like its own municipal water system. The water is pumped from an on-property well, treated and stored in a large tank that supplies water to the ranch. Heat is primarily provided by on-demand propane water heaters and direct vent furnaces.
Arapaho Valley Ranch will be featured on PBS Hometowns – Arapaho Valley Ranch will be included in an upcoming episode of Hometowns, which will feature the town of Grand Lake, Colo. and the surrounding area. The production crew for the fast-growing program is staying at the ranch in June.
Third winter season – The ranch will begin its third winter season when the snow flies in late 2025. Winter-season guests have a variety of human-powered on-site adventures from which to choose, including cross country skiing and snowshoeing, sledding and ice skating.
Ongoing upgrades – Arapaho Valley Ranch has undergone massive infrastructure changes since 2022. Additions include four tiny home cabins, 19 glamping tents and a laundry building. Ongoing upgrades this year include upgrades to all cabins, the addition of two new bathhouses and property-wide landscaping improvements.
Music festivals and other events – Arapaho Valley Ranch will host a Bluegrass Festival July 18 – 19 and a Western Weekend June 20 – 21. The ranch also hosts periodic movie and s’mores nights as well as live music by a local band.
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About Arapaho Valley Ranch
Arapaho Valley Ranch has been welcoming guests since 1946. Situated on 38 acres on the south end of Lake Granby near the town of Granby, Colo., the ranch features glamping tents, tipis and cabins as well as on-site activities and a wide range of regional attractions. The ranch is popular for weddings, special events and music festivals. This off-grid property generates electricity through solar power while storing excess on batteries. Propane is used for heat, and water is pumped from a depth of 80 feet.
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Media contact:
Mesereau Travel Public Relations
720-284-1512