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About Devil’s Thumb Ranch

Making history since 1938.
And we don’t plan to quit any time soon.

Preserving History

Nestled among the rolling hills and rugged mountains of the Ranch Valley Creek near Winter Park, Colorado, lies Devil’s Thumb Ranch, a historical and anthropological haven of mythology and beauty. Its name can be traced back to a time in American history when bison roamed free and smoke signals were the only method of long-distance communication. Learn more about Devil’s Thumb Ranch, including its fabled history, sustainability, and accolades below.

Devil's Thumb Ranch Timeline

History of the Devil’s Thumb Name

Devil’s Thumb is a rocky outcropping perched above the ranch, high on the Continental Divide. It was given its name by Native Americans, specifically the Ute and Arapahoe tribes, who after feuding for decades, settled their differences and buried the Devil, leaving only his thumb exposed as a perpetual reminder of the evils of war. Beyond this historic geological artifact, the presence of Native Americans can still be felt in the area, specifically in the use of Ute and Arapahoe names throughout Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park. The town of Tabernash, for example—where the Ranch is located, was named for a Ute chief killed near the town in 1878.

The Early 1900s

Before the Trans-Continental Railroad opened in 1904, a stagecoach route from Idlewild (the original name for Winter Park) joined the Rollins Pass route along the Fawn Creek Trail. A stage station was situated just east of what is now Devil’s Thumb Ranch, the road extending transversely across the property along what is now known as County Road 83. The viability of the land as an agricultural haven is evidenced in photographs dating back to the early 1900s, which depict cattle grazing in the area even then.

Lifeline to the West

It was the railroad that sparked the great migration of settlers to the west in search of wealth and opportunity, although many ended their journey right here in the Rocky Mountains. During this time, there were more people living in the Fraser River Valley than there are today. One favorite hangout of the railroad workers was a dance hall on Black Ranch, located immediately north of Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

The Original Homestead

In the 1930s, Margarite Ratcliff built the original Ranch homestead and operated it as a dairy. In 1940, brothers Don, Louis, and George Yager purchased an initial piece of the land, building a lodge and a few cabins. They opened Yager’s Devil Thumb Ranch as a vacation property in 1946. The Yagers incorporated the Ratcliff homestead into the Ranch facilities and the original building exists today as the Ranch House Saloon.

The Transformation

The Yagers operated Devil’s Thumb Ranch as a working ranch and guest dude ranch up until 1972. Cross-country skiing began in the winter of 1975. Dick Taylor, a 1964 Olympic cross-country team member, designed 35 kilometers of the area’s cross-country skiing.

Preserving the Ranch

In 2001, current owners Bob and Suzanne Fanch, saved the property from being developed into a master planned residential and golf course community. They poured not only their hearts into restoring and preserving the property, but their pockets too, undergoing seven years of substantial capital improvements to the grounds and the buildings. They invested in sustainable initiatives along the way including solar panels, geothermal heat and a state-of-the-art water filtration system. The Fanch’s vision that began over 15 years ago continues today—to create a special place where visitors can have a truly authentic, environmentally sensitive, rustically elegant ranch experience that celebrates the spirit of Colorado.

History of the Devil’s Thumb Name

Devil’s Thumb is a rocky outcropping perched above the ranch, high on the Continental Divide. It was given its name by Native Americans, specifically the Ute and Arapahoe tribes, who after feuding for decades, settled their differences and buried the Devil, leaving only his thumb exposed as a perpetual reminder of the evils of war. Beyond this historic geological artifact, the presence of Native Americans can still be felt in the area, specifically in the use of Ute and Arapahoe names throughout Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park. The town of Tabernash, for example—where the Ranch is located, was named for a Ute chief killed near the town in 1878.

The Early 1900s

Before the Trans-Continental Railroad opened in 1904, a stagecoach route from Idlewild (the original name for Winter Park) joined the Rollins Pass route along the Fawn Creek Trail. A stage station was situated just east of what is now Devil’s Thumb Ranch, the road extending transversely across the property along what is now known as County Road 83. The viability of the land as an agricultural haven is evidenced in photographs dating back to the early 1900s, which depict cattle grazing in the area even then.

Lifeline to the West

It was the railroad that sparked the great migration of settlers to the west in search of wealth and opportunity, although many ended their journey right here in the Rocky Mountains. During this time, there were more people living in the Fraser River Valley than there are today. One favorite hangout of the railroad workers was a dance hall on Black Ranch, located immediately north of Devil’s Thumb Ranch.

The Original Homestead

In the 1930s, Margarite Ratcliff built the original Ranch homestead and operated it as a dairy. In 1940, brothers Don, Louis, and George Yager purchased an initial piece of the land, building a lodge and a few cabins. They opened Yager’s Devil Thumb Ranch as a vacation property in 1946. The Yagers incorporated the Ratcliff homestead into the Ranch facilities and the original building exists today as the Ranch House Saloon.

The Transformation

The Yagers operated Devil’s Thumb Ranch as a working ranch and guest dude ranch up until 1972. Cross-country skiing began in the winter of 1975. Dick Taylor, a 1964 Olympic cross-country team member, designed 35 kilometers of the area’s cross-country skiing.

Preserving the Ranch

In 2001, current owners Bob and Suzanne Fanch, saved the property from being developed into a master planned residential and golf course community. They poured not only their hearts into restoring and preserving the property, but their pockets too, undergoing seven years of substantial capital improvements to the grounds and the buildings. They invested in sustainable initiatives along the way including solar panels, geothermal heat and a state-of-the-art water filtration system. The Fanch’s vision that began over 15 years ago continues today—to create a special place where visitors can have a truly authentic, environmentally sensitive, rustically elegant ranch experience that celebrates the spirit of Colorado.

Directions & Resort Info

Center yourself in our location

Find easy-to-follow driving directions and learn more about the Ranch’s check-in/out times, pet policy, complimentary shuttle, and more.

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apparel & gear for the outdoor enthusiast

Two Mountain Two Streams

A portion of all proceeds are donated to water conservation efforts in Colorado. Our products are simple, well crafted basics – for people like you.

Inspired by growing up at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, walking the Fraser River, hiking the Emerald Forest, and fishing in scenic mountain settings, 2M2S is on a mission.

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A lush mountain landscape at Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa with snow-capped peaks in the backgrou.

Going Green

Sustainability at the Ranch

Our commitment to sustainability is a source of pride for us. It’s why we’re always looking for ways to do things in a more environmentally friendly manner across operations, dining, spa, housekeeping and more. The way we see it, our planet does so much for us, the extra effort we put in is just our way of returning the favor.

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Helpful Contacts

GROUPS & CELEBRATIONS PLANNING

Spectacular views, group activities, and more for your special celebrations.

 sales@devilsthumbranch.com

FRONT DESK

Call or visit our Main Lodge Front Desk 24 hours a day for assistance.

(970) 726-5632

 

RANCH CONCIERGE

The Ranch Concierge is here to book every detail of your experience with us.

 concierge@devilsthumbranch.com

Ranch Creek SPA

(970) 726-1054

spa@devilsthumbranch.com

RANCH ACTIVITIES

(970) 726-8231

activities@devilsthumbranch.com

Explore the Ranch

Use our interactive map to start exploring the Ranch.

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DTR Map
MAIN LODGE HECK'S TAVERN HALLOWED GROUNDS CAFE BROAD AXE BARN ZACH'S MERCHANTILE RACHEL'S POOL RANCH HOUSE RESTAURANT TIMBER HOUSE JOHN L'S WINE CELLAR YAGER HOUSE & LOFT BROAD AXE BARN CEREMONY RANCH CREEK SPA, BOUTIQUE, & YOGA STUDIO HIGH LONESOME LODGE HIGH LONESOME BARN & LOFT GROTTO SURABOZA HIGH LONESOME CEREMONY AXEL’S PAVILION CABIN CREEK STABLES BLUE SKY RANCH CREEK Ouray Trapper's Cabin Creek Coyote Willow Manitou Caroga Traveler's Rest Byers Red Quill Nordic Settler Wrangler

MAIN LODGE

The Main Lodge houses a large array of amenities and a number of our lodge rooms. 

Here you will find the Front Desk, Concierge, Heck's Tavern, The Game Room, The Movie Theater, Hallowed Grounds Café, a variety of meeting spaces, and more

HECK'S TAVERN

tavern food

Casual American Ranch fare for overnight lodging guests only.

Heck’s is our favorite place for gathering, where light bites and craft beers become de rigueur. Serving up modern ranch fare in a no-frill setting, our restaurant centers around an impressive, floor-to-ceiling fireplace built from sustainable materials gathered from our pristine, natural land.

HALLOWED GROUNDS CAFE

cafe

Start your day with a double nonfat macchiato latte whip or a cuppa joe.

The friendly folks at Hallowed Grounds Café are happy to serve your favorites. They offer freshly baked breakfast pastries and bread from our bakery, a full selection of coffee, lattes, chai, juice, beer, wine, and more, plus daily selections of sandwiches. You’ll be in and out in no time and back to the trails, the pool, your book – whatever’s waiting.

BROAD AXE BARN

Our 2,900-square-foot indoor reception room, Broad Axe Barn, is built from the hand-hewn beams recovered from a Civil War-era Indiana barn. Its 25-foot high vaulted ceiling, 7×10-foot windows, and floor-to-ceiling sliding barn doors to the 2,200-square-foot outdoor deck offer stunning views of the Continental Divide.

ZACH'S MERCHANTILE

Zach's is the center of our activities and the home of our on-site merchandising and supplies. 

From the wildly unscripted to the perfectly planned, your sense of adventure has a new favorite place. From cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on blankets of snow to biking through wildflowers, catching rainbow trout, and taking aim with a bow and arrow, adventure seekers big and small will find the thrill they seek in our 6,500 acres of Rocky Mountain wilderness.

RACHEL'S POOL

Pool & Hot Tub Are Open Year-Round

Warmed by environmentally-friendly geothermal heat, the outdoor pool and hot tub are open year-round to cool off on a hot day or soothe your muscles sore after a day of mountain activities. Like everything at Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa, Rachel’s Pool is anything but ordinary.

RANCH HOUSE RESTAURANT

ranch house restaurant food

Experience Pasture-to-Fork Modern-Western Cuisine

Experience pasture-to-fork modern-western cuisine, including 100% Wagyu beef from the Ranch’s own herd. Join us for dinner with spectacular views of the Continental Divide in the original 1930s homestead at Devil’s Thumb Ranch!

Folks know that if it’s great food, great wine, and even better steak you’re hankering for, there’s really only one place to go. That’s why Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon is recipient of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence in 2023!

TIMBER HOUSE

A perfect spot for more intimate events, Timber House is constructed of 150-year-old hand-hewn beams.

Tall windows offer 240-degree views of the scenic Ranch Creek Valley and Continental Divide. This room also opens onto our 2,200-square-foot attached outdoor deck. Ideal for luncheons, dinners, or team-building meetings of up to 40 people.

JOHN L'S WINE CELLAR

This private dining room was named in memory of the owners’ father and built from historic 150-year-old cherry trees harvested from family land in Adirondack State Park.

The beautiful cherry wine racks and beams, as well as the uncorking barrel guests walk through to enter, are crafted from this family timber, creating an intimate and elegant setting for private dinners and meetings.

YAGER HOUSE & LOFT

Built as a gathering space and named after the Yager brothers who founded the original Ranch, this meeting and event venue is ideally suited for team-building sessions, training classes, or cocktail receptions. This event space includes lounge areas, a catering service station, additional loft space, and a private patio with views of the Continental Divide.

BROAD AXE BARN CEREMONY

Outdoor Meadow Ceremony Venue

Where expansive meadows stretch endlessly, meeting the foot of the Continental Divide, this ceremony lawn is the ideal setting to make a memorable walk down the aisle.

RANCH CREEK SPA, BOUTIQUE, & YOGA STUDIO

This is not your typical spa experience.

Relaxing? Of course. The difference is in the rustic touches that allow you to disconnect and soak up the beauty that surrounds you. Our beautiful hand-hewn log spa is nestled in a quiet corner of the meadow overlooking the lush valley.

HIGH LONESOME LODGE

Have the place to yourself at High Lonesome, where privacy and intimacy are the name of the game.

Nestled into the hillside just steps from our main lodge, High Lonesome offers adjoining rooms and spacious, multi-room suites for guests looking to bunk closer together in Rocky Mountain style. The centerpiece of this striking Lodge is the High Lonesome Barn, a Civil War-era, hand-hewn post and beam structure that was moved piece by piece from Findlay, Ohio.

HIGH LONESOME BARN & LOFT

A 4,200-square-foot Civil War-era Barn. Moved here piece-by-piece from Ohio

The Barn features a wall of windows facing unparalleled views of the Continental Divide and Ranch Creek Valley. The Barn is ideal for meetings and banquets of up to 250 people, while the Loft above adds 900 more square feet ideal for up to 100 people.

GROTTO SURABOZA

We named Grotto Suraboza using the first two initials of members of our owner’s family, a fitting tribute to a dining space built to bring people together. This intimate dining experience seats up to 40 and offers a chance to dine in a seductive, European-inspired style, surrounded by dark, richly hewn wood, relaxing lighting, and custom ironwork.

HIGH LONESOME CEREMONY

Outdoor Terrace Ceremony Venue

Just steps from your exclusive guest lodge and connected to the High Lonesome Barn reception venue, this beautiful outdoor ceremony site is perched up on the hillside for a breathtaking vantage point. Say “I Do” under blue skies, surrounded by lush landscaping, and peering at the Colorado Rocky Mountains perfectly framed behind you.

AXEL’S PAVILION

With 2,600 square feet of outdoor terrace space, Axel’s Pavilion is ideal for open-air gatherings for events of up to 230 persons. Complete with fire pit and Adirondack chairs, you won’t want to be anywhere else in the summertime watching the sun cast its alpenglow against the Continental Divide.

CABIN CREEK STABLES

No Ranch stay would be complete without getting to know a few of our full-time residents—our horse herd! We pride ourselves on fostering a healthy and happy environment for our horses and love to let their individual personalities shine. Year-round, we invite you to stop by Cabin Creek Stables to explore our breathtaking ranch on horseback, enjoy a wagon ride, or just to say hi.

BLUE SKY

At 2,200 square feet, Blue Sky is a four-bedroom cabin expertly designed and perfect for family gatherings or small groups.

RANCH CREEK

two-bedroom cabin

Our 1,050 square foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds, one of which can be converted into 2 twin-sized beds.

Ouray

one-bedroom cabin

Ouray cabin is a spacious 675-foot 1-bedroom cabin. Ideal for 2 adults, the cabin contains a butler kitchen and has been crafted with your comfort in mind.

Trapper's

two-bedroom cabin

Our 1,050 square foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds, one of which can be converted into 2 twin-sized beds.

Cabin Creek

cabin

Our 1,050 square foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds. The cabin is equipped with a modified kitchen, 2 walk-in shower bathrooms, and a wood-burning fireplace perfect for a cozy night in to relax and enjoy the picturesque views.

Coyote

cabin

Our 1,050 square foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds, one of which can be converted into 2 twin-sized beds.

Willow

one-bedroom cabin

Willow cabin is a spacious 675-foot 1-bedroom cabin. Ideal for 2 adults, the cabin contains a butler kitchen and has been crafted with your comfort in mind.

Manitou

two-bedroom cabin

Our 1,050-square-foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds. The cabin is equipped with a modified kitchen, a spacious walk-in shower bathroom, and a wood-burning fireplace perfect for a cozy night in to relax and enjoy the picturesque views.

Caroga

cabin

At 2,200 square feet, Caroga is a four-bedroom cabin expertly designed and perfect for family gatherings or small groups. With a full kitchen and an 8-plus person dining setup, there is plenty of space to relax and connect with your traveling partners at the end of the day.

Traveler's Rest

two-bedroom cabin

Our 1,050 square foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds. The cabin is equipped with a modified kitchen, a spacious walk-in shower bathroom, and a wood-burning fireplace perfect for a cozy night in to relax and enjoy the picturesque views.

Byers

cabin

Byers cabin is a spacious 675-foot 1-bedroom cabin. Ideal for 2 adults, the cabin contains a butler kitchen and has been crafted with your comfort in mind.

Red Quill

one-bedroom cabin

Red Quill cabin is a spacious 675-foot 1-bedroom cabin. Ideal for 2 adults, the cabin contains a butler kitchen and has been crafted with your comfort in mind.

Nordic

two-bedroom cabin

Our 1,050 square foot 2-bedroom cabin sleeps up to 4 people with 2 king-sized beds. The cabin is equipped with a modified kitchen, 2 spacious walk-in shower bathrooms, and a wood-burning fireplace perfect for a cozy night in to relax and enjoy the picturesque views.

Settler

one-bedroom cabin

Settler cabin is a spacious 675-foot 1-bedroom cabin. Ideal for 2 adults, the cabin contains a butler kitchen and has been crafted with your comfort in mind.

Wrangler

one-bedroom cabin

Wrangler cabin is a spacious 675-foot 1-bedroom cabin. Ideal for 2 adults, the cabin contains a butler kitchen and has been crafted with your comfort in mind.