Colorado’s North Fork Valley
Smith Fork Ops is located on Colorado’s Western Slope, approximately 7.5 miles east of the town of Crawford at an elevation of 7,000 feet nestled within the beautiful Gunnison National Forest. We are surrounded by over a million acres of untamed West Elk Wilderness Area.
The country’s newest national park, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, is only 20 miles from the ranch and offers incredible views and hiking in North America’s most rugged and breathtaking gorge. Grand Mesa, the world’s largest, flat-topped mountain, lies 30 miles to the northwest and overlooks Colorado and Utah’s vast desert and canyon country. Welcome to the North Fork Valley of Colorado, the fruit (and Wine) basket of the rockies. Make sure to visit up-and-coming Paonia for restaurants, wineries, art and wellness offerings. And, of course Telluride and Aspen, along with the town of Crested Butte, are all within a 2.5 hours drive, and offering golf, fine dining, and of course skiing.
Montrose Airport is an easy one hour drive and offers direct flights to major US cities. Grand Junction Airport is a few minutes further.
For the quickest, most direct driving routes from Denver, Grand Junction, Montrose or Aspen, Colorado, to Smith Fork Ranch, simply go to Google Maps on your mobile phone or computer. If you have the time and want to enjoy some extra, beautiful Colorado scenery and stop at special places along the way to the ranch, here are some special itineraries:
Scenic Route from Denver via Aspen
Scenic Route from Grand Junction Airport (GTJ) over Grand Mesa