Mirr Ranch Group is proud to introduce the Elk Creek Ranch. This private sporting club is one of the most premier and exclusive fly-fishing and hunting communities in the world. Tucked away in northwestern Colorado and along the banks of the legendary White River, Elk Creek Ranch comprises approximately 15,000 total deeded acres and more than 30 miles of pristine and private trout water.
NORTH AMERICA’S PREEMINENT PRIVATE SPORTING COMMUNITY
Elk Creek Ranch is a one-of-a-kind private sporting community situated along the banks of the esteemed White River outside Meeker, Colorado. This exclusive private membership ranch is limited to only 67 owner-members and can be described as the most premier fly-fishing and hunting retreat in the American West. With over 30 miles of blue-ribbon quality fly-fishing along the White River and Elk Creek, world-class big game hunting in an expansive and unspoiled natural habitat, along with luxurious amenities, Elk Creek Ranch offers a truly unparalleled membership experience and unique ownership opportunity.
Many throughout the fly-fishing community have never heard of the White River. Why? Because it flows through almost 100% private ranch land and is not easily floated with a drift boat. This limited public access translates to low pressure and high-quality habitat, which sets the White River apart as a sleeper amongst the West’s most exclusive trout streams.
HOW DOES MEMBERSHIP WORK?
Membership to Elk Creek Ranch is gained by purchasing one of the limited private lots inside the ranch or one of the few affiliated parcels outside the ranch. Ownership of one of these properties entitles a membership to the club. Memberships are limited to only 67 and are intended for families who can enjoy the vast resources and amenities of the ranch. Elk Creek Ranch is completely private and self-sustained and can be enjoyed year-round.
Members have the exclusive rights to fishing and hunting as well as private concierge services from a qualified team of hospitality professionals and an experienced guide staff. After the initial purchase, annual membership dues are assessed bi-annually and are typically around $35,000 per year. These dues cover regular operations, staff, and facilities maintenance. Individual taxes are approximately $2,800 per year per lot.
LOCATION
Elk Creek Ranch is located in a pristine region of northwestern Colorado. Just 15 miles southeast of the town of Meeker, the ranch is situated along the banks of the legendary White River near the base of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. The White River Valley is the primary drainage for an expansive watershed covering almost 4,000 square miles. The ranch lies within rural Rio Blanco County, which is characterized by its agricultural economy, recreational opportunities, and scenic western vistas.
While the ranch has a very private feel it is easily accessed year round and is within two hours of the resort towns of Steamboat Springs, Vail and Aspen. The town of Meeker has a well-managed airport with a 6,500 –ft runway, suitable for most private aircraft. Airline service is available from the Hayden/Steamboat Airport, which is about 90 minutes from the ranch.
RANCH LAYOUT
The majority of Elk Creek Ranch acreage is open space that is owned in common amongst all members. Throughout the ranch there are only 65 individual ownership lots, each of which is approximately 1/2 –acre in size. These lots serve as exclusive building sites for member/owners where one can construct their private western dream home. Some lots are located near the central village and stillwater ponds (POND LOTS), or along the banks of the White River (RIVER LOTS), while others are sited within the serene alpine environment of the Elk Creek drainage (MOUNTAIN LOTS), or up on an elevated bench with sweeping views of the sprawling valley below (BENCH LOTS). There are also a limited number of off-site properties that are affiliated with Elk Creek allowing larger acreage and privacy while maintaining all the benefits of membership to the club (OFF-SITE PROPERTIES).
Resources
The fishing and hunting resources at Elk Creek Ranch are owned and controlled by the membership, providing a unique and unspoiled natural habitat. The ranch’s ongoing dedication to protecting its wild landscapes through planned stewardship efforts illustrates the membership’s cohesive commitment to preserving this wonderful environment for future generations. A talented and experienced staff of fishing and hunting guides create a seamless sporting experience that is catered to each member/owner or guest. These special resources truly make Elk Creek Ranch stand apart and offer fishing and hunting adventures that are second to none.
FISHING
The fly-fishing at Elk Creek is one of the best and largest private fisheries in the lower 48. Known for some of the best dry-fly fishing anywhere, the ranch enjoys over 30 miles of private rivers and streams. The ranch has three distinct fisheries, including approximately eight miles of the main stem of the White River, that provide a diversity of water that keeps even the most discerning angler occupied for a lifetime. The White River is a classic freestone stream that offers big river-style fishing, prolific hatches, and large rainbow and brown trout. The eleven miles of the South Fork offers more technical fishing with sight-casting opportunities and epic grasshopper and terrestrial action in late summer. Five miles of Elk Creek provides a smaller meandering stream setting for fly-fishermen that enjoy a lighter presentation and traditional creek fishing. In addition, there are 12 private lakes, totaling approximately 30 surface acres, providing wonderful still water opportunities for big trout.
HUNTING
Not to be out-matched by the unparalleled fly-fishing, Elk Creek Ranch also offers an abundance of world-class big game hunting opportunities. Near the base of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, this region is a sanctuary for North America’s largest resident elk herd as well as mule deer, moose, bear, and upland birds. In the fall months, the ranch’s focus shifts to hunting, and member/owners enjoy private hunts with elite guides from the archery season through rifle seasons. The newly acquired Dy Creek and Pollard units of the 7 Lakes property provide some of the best elk habitat in the state and nearly limitless hunting for owners. The purchase of hunting permits is expertly coordinated by ranch staff with the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Department, ensuring a worry-free and streamlined experience.
ADDITIONAL HOLDINGS
In addition to the acreage and resources owned by Elk Creek Ranch, an additional 14,000 acres are under the direct control of the Elk Creek Ranch Owners Association through exclusive agreements. This includes the K/K Ranch, a 4,200-acre holding downstream, which Elk Creek Ranch owns an exclusive fishing easement and hunting rights. Elk Creek members also enjoy private fishing throughout the 4,800-acre YZ Ranch, situated upstream along the banks of the South Fork of the White River, through a 60-year exclusive lease agreement. The ranch has a multitude of different livewater, from the swift freestone main channel of the White River, to slower-moving and more technical South Fork, to the intimate Elk Creek and more than 30 surface acres of still water ponds. These different areas are divided up into numerous traditional beats in order to identify and separate individual fishing stretches.
OTHER RECREATION
Other recreational activities at Elk Creek Ranch are plentiful. Aside from fishing and hunting, there are endless other sporting pursuits. The ranch now features a full equestrian center, an 18-hole shooting clay course, and over 40 miles of private trails. The ranch’s private and surrounding lands provide an extensive network of maintained trails that are excellent for additional hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV’ing. Winter activities at Elk Creek include snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Luxury Amenities
Elk Creek Ranch represents private mountain luxury at its finest. “The Village” is a central compound where member/owners congregate and enjoy a distinct brand of five-star western hospitality. The cornerstone of the Village is a dramatic and expansive private lodge featuring hand-crafted log construction, dry-stacked stone fireplaces, flagstone floors, and an exhibition-style professional kitchen. The Village also features a fully stocked fly shop, fitness center, and three beautifully appointed lodging cabins with elegant accommodations for members and their guests. With the recent expansion of the majority of the 7 Lakes Ranch, Elk Creek Ranch now enjoys various residential structures capable of supporting owner lodging as well as a barn and dance hall for private events.
Lodge
Built of massive hand-hewn logs with elaborate stone patios perched at the edge of a lake with rising trout and an unrestricted view up the panoramic Elk Creek valley, the Lodge is the central, year-round, gathering place for fine indoor dining or dining al fresco. The Lodge features dramatic large spaces and intimate small areas, breathtaking indoor and outdoor dry-stacked stone fireplaces, Dovetail notch detailing, flagstone floors, and a fabulous exhibition kitchen.
Restaurant
The year-round Restaurant at Elk Creek Ranch features the gourmet creations of Executive Chef Scott Creecy. The menu changes daily, where he mixes locally grown products, some grown on the property, and the best the world has to offer, flown in daily. There is no doubt that the Restaurant at Elk Creek Ranch is one of the best in western Colorado. In the intimate bar at Elk Creek Ranch, you will find members sharing the day’s fish stories with friends and family over a glass of wine from the sophisticated temperature-controlled wine cellar and tasting room.
Cabins
Owners of Elk Creek Ranch are not required to build private residences on their individual lots. For those owners who want to wait or choose not to build, there are private accommodations right at the heart of the ranch within walking distance to the lodge. These units are for the exclusive reservation of owners and also work perfectly for overflow guests. You will find 5 beautiful cabins and The Founders Home scattered around the grounds of the Village, each catering to different styles and numbers of groups. Built from hand-hewn logs, these beautiful living quarters, decorated by Ralph Lauren Home Furnishings, feature a total of 11 bedrooms all with generous ensuite marble baths.
CREEKSIDE CABINS
The two creekside cabins are located adjacent to the lodge and are designed for couples or single occupancy. Both are one bedroom, one bathroom each with a king suite, master bath, and natural wood-burning fireplace.
PONDSIDE CABINS
There are three pondside cabins sited behind the fly shop and a stone’s throw from rising fish in Pond 5. These cabins are two-story with a bedroom suite on each level and gathering space on the ground floor. Designed for smaller families or two-couple occupancy.
FOUNDER’S HOME
Perfect for larger families, the Founder’s Home is a grand three bedroom, three 1/2 bath home with a lake-front porch and commanding views of distant aspen and spruce covered ridges. This home also features a full kitchen and expansive indoor and outdoor living areas.
Fly Shop
The charming porch-wrapped Fly Shop is the welcoming point for Owners, where greetings are exchanged, guides are met, and activities are arranged. The fly-shop houses offices for ranch management and a full retail shop stocked with all the essential gear including flies, terminal tackle, outerwear, and clothing.
Guides
Your time on the river is valuable, and the expert guides of Elk Creek Ranch ensure that time is effective. Just like you wouldn’t play a top private golf course without a good caddy, you wouldn’t want to fish at Elk Creek without one of the premier staff guides. The guides at Elk Creek are all extremely experienced and at the top of the game. With over 30 miles of streams, it is important to really understand the depth and diversity of the resource, where and how to fish it best and at what specific time. Each guide brings their own unique talents and specialities, custom-tailoring unforgettable fly-fishing experiences every day.
AVAILABLE MEMBER/OWNER OPPORTUNITIES
Want to know more? Download the brochure or connect with the broker regarding member/owner opportunities at Elk Creek Ranch.