Southern Colorado’s First Glamping Resort: Cresto Ranch

Glamping it in the Colorado Rockies? Yes, please! Nobody does a Colorado cowboy chic getaway quite like Dunton Hot Springs. We can vouch for its natural beauty plus luxurious all-inclusive perks as we visited in February of this year. As of June 1st, now you can “glamp” at their sister property, Cresto Ranch, just down the road. Imagine silent serenity, glamorous canvas style rooms and glorious food by Dunton Hot Spring’s executive chef, Carrie Eagle.

Located four miles downriver from Dunton Hot Springs, the summer-only Cresto Ranch tricked out stay consists of eight posh decorated canvas tents (640 square feet!) located in an alpine clearing in the San Juan Mountains. Each tent features a gas heating stove, spacious en-suite bathroom and a private lounging porch from where you can watch the sunset or sunrise.

At the heart of the intimate resort is the main lodge – a restored 19th-century farmhouse (in photo above) – featuring the communal dining room, bar and wraparound deck, perched just 20 feet from the Dolores River, with spectacular views of columbine flowers abloom and soaring snow-capped mountains beyond.

Warm Waters, Wild Woods

To celebrate the occasion, they’ve put together a special ultimate alpine getaway with the new six-night ‘Warm Waters & Wild Woods’ package ($7,200, crestoranch.com). With the offer, you get to experience a bit of both – Dunton Hot Springs’ hot springs and iconic 1800s cabins along with Cresto‘s luxury tent accommodations – a first for the Colorado Rockies.

The package includes:

• Three nights’ accommodation for two in guests’ choice of Dolores, Bjoerkman’s or Major Ross Cabin (based on availability) at Dunton Hot Springs
• Three nights’ accommodation for two in guests’ choice of Riverside or Mountain View Tent at Cresto Ranch
• All meals and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with exception of Reserve List)
• Unlimited use of mountain bikes, Screening Room in Dance Hall with access to more than 800 DVDs, access to hiking trails, West Fork Gym, Hot Springs, and all common area amenities

Why You Need to Check Out Dunton Hot Springs

Opened in 2001, Dunton Hot Springs resort is a restored ghost town set in valley, surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. The town’s original 19th-century “Wild West” log cabins have been transformed into 12 romantic and luxurious accommodations, with an additional tent suite recently added. Dunton has 3 public natural mineral hot springs (in photo above) to relax in and soothe the soul.  The town’s old saloon (originally haunted by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) is now a world-class restaurant serving organic fare paired with award-winning wines produced by the resort’s own Sutcliffe Vineyards. And the service is impeccable – friendly, professional and gracious.

 Mind + Body + Spirit Adventure at Cresto Ranch

Yet another exciting event at Cresto Ranch in the fall is Muddy Shoe Adventure’s Hiking and Hot Springs vacation from September 20 – 24, 2013. It’s enlightening just sitting around watching the hummingbirds feed or listening to the raging waterfall, but add in these activities, we can only imagine how mind-blowing an experience at Dunton Hot Springs and Cresto Ranch will be.

Here’s the highlights of the Muddy Show Adventure’s Colorado adventure:

• Horseback Riding Excursion
• Intro to Rock-Climbing Class
• Trekking/Hiking one of Colorado’s famed 14,000 foot Peaks
• Morning Yoga & Guided Meditation
• Plenty ‘o time to soak in the natural hot springs

For more on Muddy Shoe Adventure’s prices and reservations, head HERE.

More Dunton Hot Springs Buzz

A Chat with a Bride about Winter Weddings at Dunton Hot Springs

Lanee’s Review of Sutcliffe Vineyards in Cortez, CO

Lindsay’s story in The Tennessean: Roadtripping through Southern Colorado (click here for page 2)

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel’s Dunton Hot Springs Review (Lanee goes undercover to review the property)

First four photos courtesy of Cresto Ranch, the remaining ©voyagevixens.