Big, airy beautiful private rental in timber frame barn with views. The perfect holiday for nature lovers, this unique 'glamping' experience is situated on a working buffalo ranch in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
There are five rentals on the ranch you can also find on airbnb: Buffalo Ranch and Guest House, Buffalo Ranch -Buffalo Cabin, Buffalo Ranch - Sauna Cabin by the Creek, Buffalo Ranch - Wagon in the Woods, and Buffalo Ranch - Buffalero's Bunkhouse.

The space
By staying in the barn you are helping me save a breeding herd of buffalo. Thank you! The barn is a huge, beautiful space. Simplistic and a wonderful atmosphere, with babbling creek nearby, sporadic wooded areas and picnic table. Wake up to the sights, sounds and smells of Canadian mountains, with the living/sleeping space of the barn screened-in for protection against bugs, and the kitchen area semi-outdoors. No electricity, fairy & led lights, semi-outdoor kitchen set-up, its the perfect 'glamping' experience for the adventure-hearted. Your washroom is a solar shower and a private clean outhouse about 50 feet/15meters from the entrance. There is a new, cosy double bed and also pull-out futon that can sleep two more people.

There is a brand new Coleman cooler with ice-packs in it for you to store food in, you can exchange ice-packs with us when needed. There is a solar shower at the barn that you can ask staff to refill if necessary. We kindly ask that you store food and other odoured items either in your vehicle or in the wooden chest in the barn's kitchen area (next to the couch).

Please be aware when booking, this rental is a barn. A barn that is still used to house straw bales. It is not a converted barn, it is not an insulated lodge or a cabin, it is a rustic, off-grid "glamping" experience, amongst nature. There is wildlife about. You need to use an outhouse and a solar shower. It is a beautifully unique twist on camping, offering everything a campsite can without the inconvenience of a tent. There is no hot running water, wifi or electricity accessible inside of the barn. The barn is protected with mosquito nets and coils but we can not control the weather or the bugs when you are outside. You can expect a clean, dry and comfortable space, but please be aware that it is a rustic beautiful space and not a luxury hotel room. The photographs attached to this listing portray the barn as honestly as possible.

Guest access
Guests are welcome to wander the ranch, including access to a private frontage of the Blaeberry river, which is amazing for a clay bath! Follow the ranch's very own river trail to possibly spot deer, eagles, wolves and bears. Each guest is invited to discover the ancient secrets of the land and its animals in Leo's famous Buffalo Tours - Ranked #1 of the 72 Best Things To Do In Golden. Due to the virus Buffalo tours are postponed till further notice. Normally they are every morning at 10:15 a.m. from May 15th until September 30th. They are $15 for adults. Kids under 6 are free. Though I'm not doing the full tours, I'm happy to take guests to see the buffalo and tell you a bit about them n/c.

Other things to note
Re- Covid:
We’ve been following all cleaning, disinfecting and social distancing protocols. We also open all doors and windows and air out the cabins between guests. Our cabins are very private and distant from each other. Throughout the variations of the virus situation, the ranch has stayed a perfect place for people to get away and re-charge. You can go for walks, snowshoe, and cross country ski on our trails all the way to the beautiful Blaeberry River that runs through the ranch, and rarely see another person.

Note* please see house rules for liability waiver that applies to all guests.

BUFFALO TOURS:
There is one buffalo tour at 10:15am May 15th thru October 15th. They are $15 per person, and take about an hour and a half. In winter if Leo has time he is happy to take you to see the buffalo and tell you about them. Guests can also view the buffalo anytime on their own.

RIVER:
It’s really beautiful and wild feeling at the river. You can walk out the wide flats and have a fire in the fire rings out there with drift wood. ( except during summer fire bans) Bring a thick jacket or sleeping pad to rest on. It takes about 35 minutes each way. The trail goes all the way around the pastures and is marked with signs. When in view, the fence is always on your left going, and on your right returning.

BEARS:
Bears hibernate from mid-November until April. Both black and grizzly bears come through the ranch. Grizzlys are usually here in mid-May to eat the dandelions and mid-September to eat the salmon in the river and creek. They are very smart and know and expect people to be around. We’ve never had a problem with bears, but there is bear spray in the barn that you can take with you on the ranch. It only works if you get them right in the mouth and nose. If you find yourself close to a grizzly or black bear slowly back away. Make sure to alert staff of bear sighting immediately. Bears are one more wild and beautiful part of life here. It is extremely rare that anyone in the valley is threatened or harmed by a bear.

MOUNTAIN LIONS:
They can be present any time of year, but again it’s extremely rare that anyone in the valley is harmed by one. Maybe never. They mainly live off deer in summer and elk in winter. They can be attracted dogs, squeaky children, and small joggers though. Again, feeling afraid is irrational. If you ever do see one, face them, do not run. They will almost always back down if faced by an adult. Obviously when in the woods and bushes keep an eye on your kids.

DRIVING IN SNOW:
The secret to driving in the snow is to avoid exerting G’s on your car. Do this by thinking way ahead, turning, accelerating and decelerating very, very smoothly. Keep both hands on the wheel and don’t get distracted. If you start to skid or slide when slowing let off the breaks, turn into the direction you are sliding. Slow before you get to turns instead of once you;re in them. Always drive toward toward the outside of your lane instead of the middle line. Leave plenty of room between the vehicle in front of you.

BUFFALO:
Stay out of pastures. Never climb through a fence or over a gate. Buffalo stay wild, will charge and gore people and can be extremely dangerous. They don’t mind at all as long as you stay on the other side of the fence.

Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Leo Downey
WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

DEFINITIONS:

"Activity" means any activity sponsored by Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Co., including transportation to and from such an Activity;

"Staff" means all volunteers, directors, employees, or contractors working with Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Co.

"NEGLIGENCE" includes the negligence of the Staff or other participants on a Activity or both the Staff and other participants.

In consideration of the Staff and Organizers allowing me to participate in an Activity as part of Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Co, and for other good and valuable consideration, I agree as follows:

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

I accept all the dangers and risks inherent in outdoor activities including but not limited to the hazards presented by changeable weather, wild animals, and the possibility of becoming lost or separated from other participants or the guide(URL HIDDEN)RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS

1) I hereby agree to WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that I or any other person may have against the Staff and Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Co arising out of my participation in an Activity.

2) I hereby agree to RELEASE the Staff and Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch & Co from any and all liability for any loss, damage, expense or injury including death that I may suffer as a result of my participation in a Activity, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE.

I hereby agree that this AGREEMENT shall be effective and binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators, assigns, representatives and all other parties seeking to claim under or through me in the event of my death(URL HIDDEN)

This AGREEMENT shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia in Canada. Any litigation involving the parties to this AGREEMENT shall be brought within the Province of British Columbia.