The Broadmoor West Course — Where the Mountains Mess with Your Mind
September 15, 2026
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Introduction
Emerald Valley Ranch is, without question, one of the most unique places I have ever traveled. If you are looking to truly disappear from the world—and I mean really disappear—Emerald Valley Ranch is the place to go.
Emerald Valley Ranch (EVR) is a secluded, all-inclusive hideaway operated by The Broadmoor. And when I say secluded, I mean it. The ranch is located approximately 45 minutes down a winding dirt road into the mountains, far away from the main resort. Once you make that drive, the outside world seems to disappear. There is no running around to restaurants, no hopping in the car to explore town, and very little cell-phone-worthy distraction. It is just beautiful mountains, trout-filled lakes, towering trees, wildlife, and an incredible amount of peace and quiet.
We spent the first four days of our vacation at The Broadmoor and then took the shuttle up to Emerald Valley Ranch for four nights of adventure. And while we absolutely had an amazing time, I do think it is important to set the right expectations before booking.
The “Ranch” Question
I have to admit that the name Emerald Valley Ranch gave me a very specific picture in my head. I envisioned a luxury dude ranch with lots of horseback riding, guided outdoor adventures, and activities throughout the day.
That is not really what EVR is.
In fact, I think “ranch” is a bit of a misnomer. Emerald Valley Ranch is much more accurately described as an all-inclusive luxury retreat in the woods. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, the accommodations are luxurious, the food is fantastic, and the service is exceptional. But most of the activities are self-guided, and horseback riding is surprisingly limited.
Basically, if you are looking for a secluded place to disconnect from the world, read a book, sit on a porch overlooking the mountains, fish, hike, relax in the hot tub, and maybe write the next great American novel, this is your place.
And that isn't necessarily a bad thing! We had an incredible time. But if you are booking EVR because you envision a traditional luxury dude-ranch experience packed with guided activities and horseback riding, I think you may leave disappointed. I would much rather tell you that now than have you discover it after making the long drive up the mountain!
Accommodations:
★★★★★
The cabins at Emerald Valley Ranch are wonderful. They are authentic log cabins, but don't let the rustic exterior fool you. These are luxury cabins with a rustic theme, not rustic accommodations.
The cabins range from cozy options designed for couples to larger cabins capable of accommodating multiple families. Each one has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the crystal-clear, trout-filled lakes.
We stayed in the Lake Cabin, which was perfectly located near the lake, hot tub, and main lodge. Our cabin had a comfortable sitting area, a gas fireplace, and two relaxing porches where we spent quite a bit of time enjoying the scenery.
I loved that the cabins managed to feel secluded and cozy while still offering the amenities you expect from a luxury resort. There is even Wi-Fi, so you can completely escape from civilization—or stay connected if you absolutely must.
The cabins are exactly what I want from a luxury wilderness retreat: rustic in appearance, luxurious in comfort.
All-Inclusive:
★★★★★
Now THIS is where Emerald Valley Ranch really shines.
Everything is included.
And I mean everything.
Want a cocktail at 7:30 in the morning? The bartender is there and ready to shake it up. Want to soak in the hot tub at 10:00 at night? Give the staff a call and they will have it ready for you.
The level of service was honestly some of the most pampered I have ever felt on vacation.
There is something wonderfully decadent about not having to think about your wallet, your dinner reservation, your bar tab, or whether you need to tip someone. You simply enjoy yourself.
And then there is the food.
WOW.
The food at Emerald Valley Ranch was absolutely fantastic. Even the outdoor cookout was elevated to luxury-resort standards.
When I heard “cookout,” I was picturing a chuck wagon with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, and maybe some corn on the cob.
Nope.
This was a lobster, filet, and fish buffet followed by homemade desserts and Broadmoor-made ice cream.
Because apparently even a wilderness cookout at The Broadmoor needs to be fancy.
And I am certainly not complaining.
They even had a delicious dairy-free chocolate ice cream, which was a huge win in our family.
The food is plentiful, beautifully prepared, and available throughout your stay. In fact, I think it is safe to say that you will probably gain weight on this trip. But hey, calories don't count when you are eating lobster in the mountains, right?
Even gratuities are included, although we still found ourselves tipping some of our favorite staff members because the service was so exceptional.
***Pro Tip: The Horseback riding program is not through EVR. So if you plan on horseback riding, the wranglers are expecting a tip at the end of the ride.
Activities:
★★★☆☆
This is probably the one area where Emerald Valley Ranch falls a little short—and it is also the area where I think expectations are most important.
Other than horseback riding, most of the activities at EVR are self-guided.
There is some basic instruction available for activities such as fishing and archery, but after the initial instruction, you are largely on your own. There aren't a lot of scheduled, guided adventures throughout the day.
For adults who are perfectly happy entertaining themselves, this can actually be wonderful. You can fish when you want, hike when you want, shoot some arrows, sit by the lake, or simply do absolutely nothing.
But for families with children, it is a different story.
There is no children's program, which means you are responsible for keeping your kids entertained throughout the day.
And as much as I love spending time with my children, sometimes Mom needs a break too!
If you have younger children who require a lot of supervision, I think the lack of a kids' program could make this vacation feel less relaxing than you might expect. At a traditional luxury ranch, I would expect there to be a variety of organized activities or a children's program to give parents some downtime. That isn't really the EVR model.
Horseback Riding
This was probably my biggest disappointment.
I knew going into the trip that this was not going to be some challenging backcountry horseback-riding experience. I was expecting more of a nose-to-tail trail ride, and I was perfectly fine with that.
What surprised me was just how limited the riding program is.
Emerald Valley Ranch does not actually own the horses or operate the riding program. Instead, they partner with a nearby riding stable. I'm not entirely sure how the financial arrangement works, but I do think the partnership contributes to the experience feeling less like a true luxury ranch and more like a resort that has added horseback riding as one of its activities.
There are only six riders allowed at a time, so if you aren't one of the first people to sign up, you may be out of luck.
And there is essentially one established trail, with a second trail currently being developed.
If you are planning to ride horses once during your stay, I think the experience is perfectly adequate. If horseback riding is a major reason you are booking Emerald Valley Ranch and you envision riding several times through a variety of mountain trails, however, you are likely to be disappointed.
For me, this was the biggest disconnect between the “ranch” in the name and the actual experience.
Overall:
★★★★☆
I think you can have a fantastic vacation at Emerald Valley Ranch. In fact, I think it is one of the most unique luxury travel experiences we have had.
But I would look at EVR as a luxury wilderness retreat rather than a traditional dude ranch.
If you are looking for incredible food, phenomenal service, beautiful accommodations, and a peaceful place to completely unplug, Emerald Valley Ranch delivers. The setting is spectacular, the cabins are luxurious, and the all-inclusive service makes the entire experience incredibly easy and relaxing.
I think three or four nights is the perfect amount of time. By that point, you have had plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings, relax, eat far too much delicious food, and experience the available activities without feeling like you have run out of things to do.
If you need a packed itinerary, organized activities, a children's program, or extensive horseback riding, I would look elsewhere. There are other luxury ranches that are much more focused on those experiences.
Would I go back?
Yes—but probably for a short getaway.
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Final Thoughts
I could absolutely see myself returning to Emerald Valley Ranch for three or four nights when I want to disappear from the world, relax, eat ridiculously well, and do absolutely nothing for a few days.
But if I have a longer vacation and am looking for a true luxury ranch experience, I would probably try some other ranches and resorts before making my way back to EVR.
And honestly, that is what makes Emerald Valley Ranch so unique. It isn't trying to be a traditional dude ranch. It is something different—a luxurious, secluded mountain escape where the greatest activity may simply be enjoying how quiet the world can be.
