Vista Verde

You gotta love a place that boasts its own Kids Wranglers. No, these babysitters in boots don’t round 'em up and rope 'em in. Instead, they teach horseback riding basics, host powwows in teepees and fill tiny bellies with nutritious food while you take a Champagne hot air balloon ride or enjoy dinner by candlelight. From the welcoming day hayride to the marshmallow roast on the last night, all-inclusive getaways are filled with traditional ranch activities and a few unusual extras, such as gold panning, hunting for animal tracks and fire truck rides — complete with sirens blaring — into town for hand-cranked ice cream. The Vista Verde has separate programs for younger children and teens, so the older kids can play it cool while learning advanced rock climbing or taking an overnight campout. Just outside Steamboat Springs, this working ranch offers lodge accommodation and private cabins with up to three bedrooms.