Historic Gateway to the Beautiful San Juan Mountains

Complementing Durango’s popular steam train in historic Downtown Durango to the South and Purgatory Ski Resort to the North, Bears Ranch is located along the scenic corridor off Highway 550. Highway 550 North is also home to the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and often called the Million Dollar Highway, which starts in Durango and goes up to Silverton and into Ouray (designated as the “Swiss Alps of the United States”).

Bears Ranch - Durango, Colorado

Bears Ranch is open for old fashioned sleigh rides in the Winter and horseback trail rides in the Summer.

 
 

Bears Ranch is family owned and operated by the
Tomlinson & GreyEyes families.

For over 30 years, the Tomlinsons ran Home of the Brave Hawaii. Known as an “American Treasure” & “Honolulu’s best kept secret”, Home of the Brave hosted over 100,000 WWII Veterans and over 1 million guests on their award winning tours, military museum, Brewseum (brewpub) & tiki bar called the Wiki Waki Woo.

The Tomlinson Corporation has pioneered many unique and award winning services and products in the Hospitality Industry. We continue this family tradition of preserving history and entertaining our guests in one of the most picturesque mountain landscapes in Southwest Colorado.

Emmy and Shawn GreyEyes have been a part of the Durango community for over ten years. Their love of the San Juan Mountains and western culture is woven into the fabric of who they are - and it is their greatest honor and joy to share such sacred and special landscapes with visitors from all over.

While working with Ben Breed at Bucks Livery their love of mules or “long ears” really flourished. Should you visit them at Bears Ranch in the summer months you’ll likely find them concocting new ways to add more long ears to the herd!

The Tomlinsons and GreyEyes will greet you with a sweet Hawaiian welcome of “Aloha” followed by the western “Howdy!” You will always be treated as FAMILY at Bears Ranch, because to us, that’s what you are!

Area History

Anne Rapp

Bears Ranch carries on a equestrian tradition that dates back almost 40 years.

Anne Rapp pioneered Rapp Corral and the horseback trail system located at beautiful Haviland Lake and Chris Park just off HWY 550 North at 51 Haviland Lake Road, Durango, Colorado 81301.

We proudly continue Anne’s legacy offering 5-star sleigh rides and horseback riding at the gateway to the beautiful San Juan National Forest. The ranch encompasses many venues to serve and educate local and area visitors while preserving the historic and natural 
beauty of the area.

 

Built in 1876, the Historic Animas Cañón Toll Road was the main supply route between Animas City (North of Durango) and Silverton during the development of mining camps in the surrounding region.  The Historic Rico-to-Rockwood Animas Wagon Toll road passes through both Haviland and Chris Park Campgrounds, and is just a short walk or drive from Bears Ranch.

From 1876-1881 the Animas-Silverton Wagon Road was the primary access road used by miners and freighters between Animas City and Silverton.
During its existence, it served as the commerce lifeline for the region.

In 1881, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad purchased the route along the Animas River and constructed a rail line from the newly established community of Durango to Silverton.

After the rail line reached Silverton, this route was developed as a toll road by Judge J.W. Pinkerton to link the railroad town of Rockwood (north of Durango) to the mining town of Rico. From 1881 to 1892 this route was operated as the Rico-Rockwood Wagon Road.