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Family Vacation near Salida, Colorado at private Mountain Ranch - Horse Friendly

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Living area
Miscellaneous
Terrace/patio
Dining
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12406.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Cotopaxi, CO
  • Cotopaxi City Park
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • SteamPlant Theater and Event Center
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Royal Gorge Bridge
    ‪57 min drive‬
  • Salida, CO (SLT-Harriet Alexander Field)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Double Beds

Bedroom 4

3 Double Beds

TV & Game Room

2 Double Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Family Vacation near Salida, Colorado at private Mountain Ranch - Horse Friendly


Our big, loving vacation home is nestled in the Arkansas River Valley of Colorado. The Arkansas River, less than 15 minutes from our ranch, is renowned for whitewater rafting and fly fishing and is on the list of Gold Medal Trout Waters in Colorado. This unique, inviting area experiences warmer, dryer weather than the surrounding regions, delivering even greater possibilities for outdoor adventures year-round. We would love for you & your loved ones to stay at the MoonShadow Ranch & experience first-hand this very special area, property & home.

GUESTS TRAVELING WITH HORSES (May 1 through October 31) are also invited to:

*Park a horse trailer on-site
*Turnout horses (maximum of two) into our 5-acre fenced pasture with plenty of grass to graze on.
*Shelter horses in our stables at night.
*Many trails to explore on the BLM land that borders property.

Booking fees for your horse or horses will be charged after the reservation request has been accepted with an additional payment request. Rate for horses (max 2) is: *$25 per turnout per horse per night; *$50 per stall per night (stall rental is optional)
NOTE: Be sure to bring current coggins and health certificates with you.

We invite you to design your family's next vacation in this gorgeous area & plan to visit nearby attractions like Royal Gorge Bridge & Park & Dino Experience & then, come 'HOME' to MoonShadow Ranch, a family-focused, luxury vacation home with:

*Good access on a paved county road that comes to the entrance of our ranch.
*Ample space for your family's next vacation &/or family reunion.
*4,380 sq. ft. of Gorgeous, Living Space (on nearly 80 private acres!).
*4 LARGE Bedrooms with 7 beds, 2 Double Blow-Up Mattresses + several
couches
*Wood burning fireplace in living room
* INCREDIBLE Kitchen with EVERYTHING you could possibly need for big, memorable family meals. You won't find another home stocked like this one!
* FULL GAME ROOM - Pool Table, Poker Table, Air Hockey Table, Board Games - with Large Smart TV, DVD player, 2 Full Couches & a Very Cool, Handcrafted Bar. We also have satellite Dish Network & DVD’s for Children & Adults.

AWESOME Outdoor Amenities include:

*2 Raised Decks
*Large grill
*Stone Fire Pit
*Horseshoes & Bocce on the Game Pit (in front of the house).
*Game & Hammock Area with cornhole (sack toss) and ladder toss games, Tree-Stump Tick-Tac-Toe, 1 Laying Hammock & 1 Hammock Chair.
*2 Mountain Bikes & 3 children's bikes,
*2 Pair of Snow Shoes.
*Fishing rods.
*Basketball hoop in driveway in front of house.
*Private Shooting/Target Range.
*AMAZING fully equipped Kid's PLAYHOUSE (10 X 12 ft) with a 4 ft wrap-around deck.
*PRIVATE Pavilion with 8-top Picnic Table, Propane Grill, Tetherball & another Cornhole (sack toss) game.

You & your family will LOVE the entire Royal Gorge Region because it offers the perfect combination of outdoor adventure, Old West history, and small-town hospitality. Nestled half-way between Canon City & Salida, we're 30-45 minutes from ALL the Royal Gorge Region has to offer. This is a place where you can slow down and leisurely shop the Main Streets in Salida or antique and other shops of Florence and Westcliffe. Or speed up, with a paddle in your hands, through the whitewater rapids of the Arkansas River or enjoy the winter slopes of Monarch Mountain. Or plan to come back to do it all!

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall - especially the beautiful aspen groves located just a short drive up the hill from our home. This is an amazing place to retreat with your family & friends. Relax, breathe deep & enjoy the quiet tranquility as well as the endless possibilities for outdoor adventure on the ranch & on the Arkansas River.

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Summer: ENDLESS hiking on the ranch and surrounding area! Local rafting tours, lasting anywhere from a few hours to six days, leave from here & tumble along the state’s most popular whitewater river, facing rapids ranging from the calm, family-style waters outside Cañon City to adrenaline-pumping swells & steep drops near the Royal Gorge.

Winter: Cozy up with your loved ones by the fireplace after a wonderful, big family meal & enjoy the great warmth of this loving home. Additionally, we've added a gorgeous stone fire pit, snowshoes & saucer sleds to enjoy the fresh snow fall. If you're looking to add a day or two of skiing to your winter vacation, this could be the ideal home as Monarch Mountain Ski & Snowboard Area is 80 minutes (55 miles) away. Monarch is a great skiing location because it’s often one of the least crowded ski areas in all of Colorado & it often has some of the best snow in the state! Monarch is a wonderfully, family-friendly ski resort with an excellent ski school & childcare center.

For an unforgettable experience—enjoy the freedom and privacy of your own living space in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.

* Read a book next to one of 3 fireplaces – One located on each floor. The 1st & 3rd floor fireplaces are electric & the 2nd-floor fireplace is wood-burning.

* Relax on one of two raised decks - enjoy your coffee, a great BBQ dinner or a glass of wine & watch the wildlife that visit the property…including turkeys, rabbits, chipmunks, deer, the occasional elk, and many mountain birds including the beautiful and colorful hummingbirds.

* Hike on nearly 80 acres of private land, or venture beyond & make it a half/full-day hike & enjoy crossing over into the open access to Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) land that extends for 1,000s of additional acres.

*UNLIMITED INTERNET SERVICE IS AVAILABLE!

*During August 2022, we upgraded our internet service, so guests can now enjoy online gaming, streaming/downloading/uploading movies, videos &/or photos without restrictions while in our home.

*There is no cell phone coverage on our property. Guests, however, can make and receive phone calls, texts and video calls over our Wi-Fi network on their cell phones. Cell phone calls can also be forwarded to the land line in our home, which is available for guest use for both incoming & outgoing domestic calls.

From Our Family to Yours: Dream as if you will live forever. Love as if you only have today. In the Wonder of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and this valley, may you have love, joy and peace.

Property manager

Barry Devlin
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lots of terrific baby gear available for your use!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Max 2; $125 for first pet and $50 for 2nd
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Additional Guests: $25/person/night above 8 guests; Maximum Stay: 14 Nights
Horses Max 2; $25 turnout/night; $50 stall/night (optional). Horse fees charged after reservation request accepted with additional payment request.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Cotopaxi

Located in Cotopaxi, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Art Matters Gallery & Studio and SteamPlant Theater and Event Center are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Journey Quest and Rocky Mountain Mini Golf. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Cotopaxi, CO

What's nearby

  • Cotopaxi City Park - 18 min drive - 14.4 km
  • Riverside Park - 49 min drive - 52.6 km
  • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Visitor Center - 49 min drive - 53.0 km
  • SteamPlant Theater and Event Center - 49 min drive - 53.0 km
  • Royal Gorge Bridge - 57 min drive - 60.9 km

Frequently asked questions

Is Family Vacation near Salida, Colorado at private Mountain Ranch - Horse Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Family Vacation near Salida, Colorado at private Mountain Ranch - Horse Friendly?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family Vacation near Salida, Colorado at private Mountain Ranch - Horse Friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Family Vacation near Salida, Colorado at private Mountain Ranch - Horse Friendly located?

Located on a river, this family-friendly holiday home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Cotopaxi City Park, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area and Arkansas River. Journey Quest and McIntyre Hills Wilderness Study Area are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 115 out of 119 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 119 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 119 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 119 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 119 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stacey c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Marino Family Vacation

Amazing!! We never want to leave.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Geri H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great entertainment and views

Our group of 10 adults were exceptionally comfortable in the house and outside. Yard games and spectacular views supplement the welcoming interior spaces. My only, and I mean only, disappointment was for our trailer parking. 3 trucks and trailers were workable but not quite as easy as I expected from the listing. The front door would be accessible by a normal sized car but otherwise, we accessed the home through the garage. Plenty of parking for single vehicles!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dee H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cotopaxi

Very nice relaxing property. Lots of nice amenities.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Phyllis H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

Had a wonderful time with the entire family. something for everyone to do.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shannah N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best home I’ve ever vacationed in!

If I could give this a 11/10 star rating I would. I have vacationed in over 40 homes and this is by far the most beautiful, clean, and well equipped property I’ve ever stayed in. The pictures don’t do the home and its scenic views justice! We had such an enjoyable experience at the ranch and we can not wait to come back.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brett S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Moonshadow Ranch Family Paradise

Cleanest property we’ve ever stayed at. Has provided countless things to do on the property. Horseshoes, hillbilly golf, checkers, shooting range, fire pit, tetherball, hiking, pool table, air hockey, barbecue grill, play House for the little ones, outdoor views from many lounge vantage points on the property! The view there is breathtaking! Thank you Devlin/Soto!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andres M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great owners, great property!!!

I will recommend it a 100%, great communication, great property, we will back soon
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly T., Cypress, texas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property

This was our second time staying here and it was just as beautiful as the first time. The house is spacious and there are tons of activities for everyone of all ages. The kitchen had everything we needed for our Thanksgiving dinner. The owners are very responsive and easy to communicate with.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing retreat!

We had a wonderful couple of vacation thanks to this house! Everything was as expected, kitchen was very well stocked. Definitely very remote but there is plenty of things to do on the property. We had one issue with the house but Barry was very responsive and provided a resolution very quickly. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Endless activities and beauty.

This was the perfect place for us. We had a mix in ages from 5-70 years old. The views and beauty of the place kept the adults in awe. There were so many activities for the kids to do too! The house it’s self was so clean and just beautiful. It was so hard to leave! We can’t wait to make another trip back as soon as possible!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jillian F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing getaway in the mountains

We had such a great stay at this cabin. It's very private with spectacular views. We enjoyed morning coffee and family dinners out on the balcony where we saw a lot of wildlife. Perfect spot for kids - the downstairs is loaded with games & the outdoor playhouse was an added bonus. Thanks for sharing your slice of paradise with us!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelli G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacay

Beautiful house! It was just what we needed for a vacation home. My kids loved the playhouse and the game room! There was a lot of extras that other vrbo’s we’ve stayed in haven’t had.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

The house, property and views were all excellent! The kitchen was well stocked with all of the basics. We actually saw some wildlife right from the porch! We were able to enjoy a trip to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, whitewater rafting, the Royal Gorge and many hikes.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family get away

This property is absolutely gorgeous! Our family of 12 had plenty of room to spread out, and to spend quality time together. morning coffee watching the clouds dissipate over the mountains, meals eaten on the large deck, games played at the dining table and outside under the pavilion, all made for a restful and joyous quality time spent together. Proximity to tourist attractions was also a plus. From a wolf sanctuary, jeep and atv rentals, to pikes peak, and the royal gorge, there was something for all of us to enjoy! Any questions we had were quickly answered. Check in and check out was a simple process. The property is beautiful and well maintained. I read a review that expressed concern of water consumption but we had plenty of water for an entire week with no issues. We cooked the majority of our meals in the well appointed large kitchen and had plenty of pans etc. I recommend this property 100%!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic property. Didn’t disappoint

Our stay was great. The property made it to where we didn’t want to leave. Wonderful setup, everything you could need and the views are spectacular. Great place for a family vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation for parents 60th wedding anniversary.

My siblings and I decided to gift my parents a trip for their 60th anniversary. This house was great for the trip. We enjoyed a lot of quality time together and made lots of new memories. We cooked most of our meals and the large kitchen and dining area was wonderdul!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janea H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extended family vacation

Our stay at Moonshadow Estates was absolutely more than I could've hoped for in a vacation home! The place was spacious enough for 11 adults and 3 children with plenty to do for everyone. There are games indoors and outdoors not to mention just sitting and enjoying the breathtaking view in the Adirondack chairs facing the mountains. When you wake up in the morning, that view is the first thing you see out of the 2 stories of windows. The house is stocked with amenities and the kitchen can be easily used for cooking with pots, pans, and utensils. We hope to visit again someday!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bethany H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New Years Celebration

My family and I absolutely loved this home and property! It was big enough that we all could relax and spend time with each other! The owner was so quick to respond after asking questions and over all was the best place we have rented in Colorado! 10/10 would 100% recommend
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Doug A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain Retreat

The property was clean with a large kitchen and family rooms. The views were fantastic. We enjoyed our stay and would visit this property again
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

TJ S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay!

If you are looking for the perfect get away home, look no further. My family and I had an absolutely amazing stay. Barry was more than helpful with any questions we had ( we had a lot) and made check in seamless. It's beautiful home with fantastic views. Our family had plenty to do right on the property, from the game room downstairs to the private shooting range across the road. Kitchen was stocked with everything we needed, and all the beds were comfortable. This vacation was definitely in our top "10"!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Dana B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Vacation

Great house. So many fun activities at the house to do!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cathy J., Westminster, CO

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful views

We loved our stay and really hope to return, soon. The house was roomy and beautifully appointed. (8 of us) So many activities right there on the property. Games galore!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cleo B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and peaceful

We really enjoyed this property. The views are amazing. It’s very peaceful and the game room is so well done! The kitchen and living area are also very well set up for a get together. The upstairs restroom is amazingly large w a tub that overlooks mountains. The house is so well stocked w entertainment it is impossible to be board. The kitchen is also well stocked! I was really amazed at how incredibly clean not only the inside is but outside as well. The motion lights that go on and off when it’s dark inside the home are so considerate. My husband and I slept in the king bed upstairs, great pillows and bedding. I however did not get a ton of sleep because my mother-in-law woke up at 5 am and made coffee, and other things in kitchen. Because this room is a loft it was pain staking to get sleep (I’m a lite sleeper). It virtually feels like you are in the same room w everyone. I would totally stay at this house again however and put mother-in-law in the loft. Lol. I would take another room w queen/full bed.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bobby D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

More than anticipated

Home was beyond accommodating, the attention to detail provided by the owners reflect their pride in the property as well as they should. Our friends and family all agreed this was a favorite among the several homes we’ve stayed at in the past.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tim C., O'Fallon, MIssouri United States of America

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Views

Our group of 9 enjoyed our stay at this beautiful home. Nice large kitchen that had everything we needed. The family enjoyed the hammock chair and would fight over it. We would definitely consider staying her again. I loved the views from the home and at times you felt like you are the only one around. Salida and Canon City are close enough to grocery shop and have many restaurant options.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Barry Devlin

Host profile image
Barry, and his wife Angelica, are an active outdoor couple, in love with outdoor sports and recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, skiing, whitewater rafting, mountain bike riding, animal and bird watching etc. They met through a business-related connection in late 2010 and have since enjoyed sharing all of these outdoor activities together. A few years later, they married and became more and more involved in an active, outdoor lifestyle. It was natural then that one of their primary pre-retirement goals was to find a place for the two of them to enjoy and to share with family and friends. They continually reminded themselves, and anyone helping them during this search, “we are not just looking for a house and property but a lifestyle!” For Angelica and Barry, the Moonshadow Ranch met all the necessary requirements of the lifestyle concept they were seeking.

Why they chose this property

After patiently searching for more than 5 years, mainly in the American west, they finally found their dream mountain ranch, an 80-acre property in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with spectacular breath-taking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The 80 acres of private land boasts a lush front pasture with a big beautiful barn, a picnic pavilion with BBQ grill, an outdoor stone fire pit and fantastic adult sport area with numerous outside game activities such horseshoes, bocce and many more. The property also boasts its own hiking trails and is bordered by thousands of acres of open BLM land with its own numerous hiking and horse trails. On the inside, the home has luxurious and spacious rooms, a beautiful kitchen and several patios from which to enjoy a nice meal at the end of an event-filled day, reminiscing about the day’s activities while watching a beautiful sunset. The day’s end can also be spent enjoying a beautiful fire in the living room or in an outdoor stone fire pit. And if any energy remains, indoor recreational activities can continue on either the pool and air hockey tables, playing darts or taking a chance at the poker table and many, many more games.

What makes this property unique

Numerous public access areas to enjoy the river itself. And when it feels like social time, it is only 40 minutes to the town of Westcliffe, and 45 minutes to Salida, both known for their nice restaurants, art galleries, artisan shops and many stores. Clearly, all the necessities that one needs to enjoy a balance of the great outdoors with the relaxed, comfortable sophistication of small-town life.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests