MacGregor Ranch - Estes Park, CO
Posted by: 
Outspoken1
N 40° 23.747 W 105° 31.281
13T E 455755 N 4471817
The MacGregor Ranch, a living history ranch, has been left in trust for charitable and educational purposes.
Waymark Code: WMCCA8
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 08/21/2011
Views: 2
"Welcome to one of Colorado's finest homestead ranches. With roots to the 1870's, MacGregor Ranch remains a showplace of early life among settlers and homesteaders in the early Colorado Territory. Founded in 1873 by Alexander and Clara MacGregor, and left in trust by their granddaughter Muriel MacGregor, the Ranch today serves as a working cattle ranch and a youth education center in the beautiful Black Canyon Creek area of Estes Park.
MacGregor Ranch is the last remaining working cattle ranch in Estes Park and one of the few sites operating as both a working ranch and youth education center in the northern Colorado area. It is unique in that its historic collection and structures are original to the 1873 homestead family. The collection is completely intact.
Fortunately Muriel Lurilla MacGregor had the foresight to make provisions in her will requesting her ranch be left in trust for charitable and educational purposes. In 1978, The Muriel L. MacGregor Charitable Trust was formed. In 1983, the Colorado Attorney General's office was instrumental in actions to further safeguard the site as the National Park Service worked with the Trustees to purchase a conservation easement on the main 1,200 acres of the Ranch. The site is maintained in perpetuity as an example of turn-of-the-century, high-mountain ranching." (from (
visit link) )
The ranch is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is easily accessed by any vehicle with only a short dirt road to enter the property. Take your time to enjoy the tour (only $5) given by guides who are well versed in the history. I spoke with Estes Park native Rita, who knew Muriel MacGregor. The ranch sponsors a program called the Heritage Camp (
visit link) that allow children to work the ranch and learn about homesteading. They make jerky in the smokehouse, cook a meal on the wood burning stove, churn butter, clean the chicken coops, etc. The Heritage Camp is from June to August (
visit link) . Other activities for children and young adults run from April to October. This site is truly a treasure from all visitors.