Perhaps best described as “affordable luxury” Blue Lake Ranch is honored to have earned its national reputation as an Award-winning accommodation in Durango. We have loyal guests who have come for generations and feel like family. Our staff seeks to make each stay a special occasion. Our guests continue to enrich our lives and we hope to do the same for each guest.

Magazine articles and the printed word have opened up the world of travel to readers. Below are a few of the many accolades the Ranch has received.

Top 25 Wedding Venues in Colorado – 2019
“The Ridgewood Event Center and Gardens is a gorgeous location for couples who want to get married in a Durango venue. The space lies amidst ponds, streams, gardens, meadows, and mountain vistas, making it one of the most picturesque in the state.”

The 10 Best Small City Road Trip Destinations in the USA – 2018
“Durango is a city that has it all, from city life, outdoor experiences to culinary delights. With water activities, bike and walking trails, to a nearby ski resort, there is no wrong time of year to visit. If you’re into adventure, Durango has you covered with zip-lining, hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, dude-ranches and a whole lot more.”

The Best Family Reunion Location in Every State – 2018
“Travel back to the Wild West with a visit to Southwestern Colorado. This 1900s homestead has beautiful casitas and cabins, along with a meeting room large enough to host 49 guests. They grow most of the food they serve, too!”

Sunset Travel Awards 2016

Sunset Magazine lists Blue Lake Ranch as a finalist in the B&B Category.

35 Best Colorado Vacations & Weekend Getaways – 2015
“Set on 200 beautiful acres, Blue Lake Ranch Bed & Breakfast near Durango, Colorado, is the perfect getaway for those who want to get away from it all. Take romantic walks through the flower gardens and gaze across the trout-filled lake on your vacation.”

NBC’s Today Show Featured Blue Lake Ranch as one of four “Affordable and Most Romantic Stays in the USA” – 2015

Top Colorado Lodging Location for Bird Watching– 2006
Bird-Watching-Vacation names Blue Lake Ranch as a top Colorado lodging location for bird watching.

Top 10 Finds Worldwide – 2004

“If you didn’t know that you were 11 miles west of Durango, Colorado, you might think you’d landed in the middle of a canvas by Monet.”

Favorite 30 Great Inns

“At this ranch, 15 minutes west of Durango, Colorado, you could be fooled into thinking you have 200 acres of Four Corners Country all to yourself. “

Other Press & Accolades

BedandBreakfast.com names Blue Lake Ranch in the “Top Twelve Most Romantic B&B’s in the USA”. – 2001

BnBinns.com named Blue Lake Ranch in their “Top Ten Most Romantic Inns of the Year”. – 2001

Town & Country, Traveler’s Notebook “Colorado Comfy”May 2000 pg. 103-108

Birds & Bloom, Collectors Edition, “A Colorful Backyard Playhouse”, 1999 pg. 44-45

Country Living Gardener, Cover, Feature Article, “Eden in the Rockies”, May-June, 1999 pg. 48-55

USA Today, “Great Places for a Romantic Weekend”, February 12, 1999 pg. 3D

Sunset Magazine, “Garden Guide”‘ February 1999, pg. 59

Albuquerque Journal, “Inn-Side Scoop”, May 17, 1998 Section C pg. 1

Wildbird, “Birding in Someone Else’s Yard”, March 1998, pg. 62-63

Outside Magazine -Family Vacations, “Where Families Get Together”, 1998, pg. 20.

Durango Herald, “B&B Hot Spot”, November 18, 1997.

Bon Appetit, “Go Rest, Young Man”, November 1997, pg. 32.

Conde Naste Traveler, “15 Instant Vacations”, October 1997, pg. 182.

Country Home, Regional Travel Section, “Weekend Hideaways”, September/October 1997, pg. 221.

Birds & Blooms, “Flowers and Guests are Tended with Care”, Collector’s Edition 1997, pg. 45.

Outside Magazine lists Blue Lake Ranch as on of the “Top Ten Finds”, in their Annual Travel Guide 97/98, pg. 24-26.

Denver Post, “Postcard Perfect Hideaway”, July 1997.

Durango Herald, Home & Garden, “By Hollyhocks Possessed”, April 1997.

National Geographic Traveler, “Inns of The Rockies”, March/April 1997, pg. 82-95.

Rocky Mountain Gardener, “Rocky Mountain Gardener Gardening Conference”, Spring 1997.

Birds & Blooms, “Outside Inns – Gardens and Guests are Tended With Care”, August/September 1996, pg. 50-51.

Durango Herald, Home & Garden Insert, “Changing Times of Fort Lewis Mesa”, April 1996.

Sunset Magazine Garden Guide, “Great Gardens”, Spring-Summer 1996, pg. 34-35.

Outside Magazine, “America’s Top 50 Hikes”, April 1996, pg. 109-121.

Family Circle, “Color, Color Everywhere”, March 1996, pg. 103-104. (Pictures only)

Rocky Mountain Gardener, “Blue Lake Ranch”, Summer 1995, pg. 22-23.

Victoria, “Favorite Things”, June 1995, pg. 17.

Diversion, “Blue Lake Ranch”, May 1995, pg. 82.

The Denver Post, “Inn For The Night”, April 1995.

Sunset Magazine, “Wake Up In A Dream Garden”, April 1995, pg. 108-114.

Wings West, “Remote Relaxation”, February 1995, pg. 16-18.

Beautiful Gardens, “The Beauty of Blue Lake Ranch”, November/December 1994, pg. 28-35.

Historic Inns, “The Top 25 Inns for 1994”.

Conde Naste Traveler, “The Epicurean Cowboys”, September 1994, pg. 117.

Southern Accents, “A World View”, July/August 1994, pg. 20.

Victoria, “Finding Your Calling”, August 1994, pg. 112.

Country Inns, “The Traveler’s Garden”, Winter 1993/1994, pg. 98-105.

Durango Magazine, “A Baker’s Dozen”, Summer/Fall 1993, pg. 28.

Sunset Magazine, “Colorado Country Gardens”, June 1993, pg. 90-94.

Denver Post, “Cabin Fever”, May 23, 1993, pg. 3.

Country Inns, “The Year’s Top Twelve Inns”, February 1993, pg. 8.

Albuquerque Journal, “Garden Of Delight”, May 3, 1992, pg. 18-19.

USA Today, “Combing The World For Winning Lodgings” December 31, 1992, pg. 9D.

Country Inns, “Paradise Lies in Colorado’s Southwestern Corner”, August 1992, pg. 42-49.

Country Inns, “Gone Fishing”, March/April 1992.

Metropolitan Home, “Walden West”, April 1992, pg. 44A-C.

Colorado Expression, “Inns & Outs”, November 1991, pg. 10.

The Denver Post, “Blue Lake B&B Transformed With Flowers”, September 2, 1991, pg. 5E.

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, “The Business of Living”, May/June 1990,pg. 39-43.