It is not easy to get across just how wonderful Marble Mountain Ranch is. We were anxious about how the week would go for our family of 4 with two teenagers, but this dissipated within seconds of arrival. There is a depth and breadth of expertise and care in how it is run that makes this a very special experience. The horses are loved, well-trained and contented, the staff are all adorable, the food glorious. We were fully occupied from morning until night, coasting from one unforgettable and enriching experience to the next. The ranch itself is stunning, and set in a spectacular landscape. Each activity was of the highest quality and it felt enormously luxurious to be in such capable hands throughout. It was a stretch for us financially but absolutely some of the best money we have ever spent read more

From the charmingly appointed rustic cabins to the farm to table exceptional homemade meals and deserts, this ranch exceeded any expectations I might have had. All the activities are scheduled so carefully that I was able to participate in everything I wanted to do. Their horses are very well cared for, well behaved and trained. No swaybacked trail nags here! The up to date whitewater rafts and staff were all very knowledgeable and safety oriented. We had some GREAT rapids rides!! The shooting involved expert SAFE instruction and a revolving set of varied experiences with different weapons. The children in attendance had the time of their lives as did this 74 year old horsewoman! The ranch is self sufficient ( off the grid) and well off the beaten path. A real community developed amongst the guests under the guidance and warm personalities of Heidi and Doug. The 30 plus years of love and devotion to the upkeep of the natural beauty of their ranch showed in the gardens and plantings of flowers and trees in abundance. Even the gaggle of teenaged sisters spent less time in the lodge (the only WiFi) than one would have imagined! A fun and deeply relaxing time in nature was had by all. I will definitely be back again! Happy Trails! read more

100% TRUE TO THEIR WORD In an era where reliance on the internet to research a regularity nowadays, I know how some can be skeptical of what they see vs what is actually delivered. In this case, EVERYTHING promoted and promised on the website is what you get! Doug, Heidi, their family and entire staff do an amazing job to make you feel welcome and part of the Marble Mountain Ranch family. From the moment we arrived at the Ranch, we were met by Doug, who hopped on his ATV and led us to our cabin, gave us a tour and informed us about dinner that first night. I'll break the rest of this review up into parts to help you get an idea of how much fun MMR is as well as how everything they promise is delivered upon...all while trying not to spoil the surprise of how amazing being there is. BOOKING: It is a working ranch and know that it is normal to get their answering machine when you call. Leave a message if you don't get Doug or Heidi on the phone with your number and know they'll definitely call you back. Heidi is amazing and will answer any and all questions you have. Do make sure you have a "Plan B & C" as dates/weeks fill up rather quickly. Be sure to have your whole party size ready as well as Heidi does a great job making sure your whole party has adequate and appropriately comfortable accommodations for your party. ACCOMMODATIONS/LODGING: The cabins are beautiful and plenty spacious for all your party's needs. Every cabin is equipped with a window A/C unit that keeps everything plenty cool on hot days and a floor heater for those trips where the weather turns cooler. They are stocked it's pots, pans, dish and silverware, a full refrigerator/freezer and microwave. Bedrooms are perfect size for every guest as well. FOOD: Fresh cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinners are prepared by Heidi and her staff and provide you delicious meals that sufficiently fill you for the day ahead or to fill a hungry belly after a full day of activities. There's a variety of options for everyone - and at dinner time, there are wine and beer options as well. ACTIVITIES: You WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Everyone, at every skill level will have an opportunity to experience everything. From your time in the arena learning how to guide, ride and get comfortable on a horse, to being on the trails taking in the forest and amazing views, to your time on the River going through the rapids, you are never disappointed. Doug and Heidi employ some of the most knowledgeable, kind, and engaging staff our group has ever met at a vacation getaway. Heidi makes sure you provide them, when booking, your skill levels to ensure everyone has a safe and amazing time. CONCLUSION: In the technological age where we're perennially connected to all things electronics, this was an amazing opportunity to unplug, get away from the hustle and bustle of busy life and enjoy nature in all its glory. We had two teenage girls in our party and they didn't miss being unable to scroll social media, or the internet all day long. By the end of each day you were physically spent and happy to have downtime with family and other ranch guests. Each night there were activities and opportunities to engage with and get to know Doug & Heidi, their family and staff. Our family came in with no expectations other than the excitement of a new and different opportunity at a getaway vacation. We were blown away at how amazing the experience was and we're already planning a return visit in the coming years. From our family to Doug, Heidi, their family and staff we say THANK YOU for an AMAZING experience that we will not soon forget! I hope this review helps continue to bring you great business and prosperity in the future...and we look forward to seeing you all again soon! read more

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What a WONDERFUL adventure!! Myself and my teenaged daughter just spent a week at the ranch and had the best time. We stayed in cute little cabins, rode horses every morning, rafted in the afternoons, got to try our had a shooting various fire arms, take a shot at archery, axe throwing, zip lining, swimming in the pool, decorating horses, a little paint balling, ATV riding, branding wooden signs, karaoke, and ate the BEST home cooked food! This was definitely not a relaxing vacation for sure, but if you're looking for an adventure, and a place that has a something for everyone, this is the place! read more

Doug & Heidi, the seemingly wonderful people who own and run this ranch are just wolves in sheep's clothing. These are two of the worst people I've ever come across and they stole $1,754.40 from me. Allow me to explain and PLEASE READ before considering booking here. I'm sure the ranch is great fun but these are not people who you can trust nor who deserve anyone's business after what they did to me and my family. In March this year I did a lot of research for a dude ranch to celebrate my 40th birthday. I found this one, called and spoke with Doug and it sounded great. Ultimately after a few back and forths, we agreed to a price for a stay in September. Basically $10k for 4 nights (expensive right but they all are) I gave him my capital one VISA card over the phone for the deposit of half of that. Then I was mailed their "contract" which noted a 20% cancellation fee! (Not at all in line with other ranches) This caught me by surprise but figured I wasn't cancelling so oh well. Long story short, over 4 months before the booking, the airlines sent me a notice that the flights had changed and there is no easy way of getting there, even from within the same state (we live in Orange County) Ultimately it would had resulted in over 12 hours of travel to go somewhere for 4 nights. Didn't seem worth it. So I humbly emailed to explain, apologize and cancel. They said they had people already booked with airline tickets to come out to work so they would have to charge me. This despite the fact that I was able to cancel my airline and get a full credit back AND the fact that they had over 4 months to book other people. Being a popular ranch, this shouldn't have been a problem. So they refused to help and charged me nearly $1,800 in cancellation fees. I disputed this with Capital One and lost because Doug & Heidi lied. They lied through their teeth to make few extra bucks at my expense. Here's where it gets really sick. A month after we attempted to cancel, my 4 year old daughter had a freak accident and died. The weight of that even today, 3 months later is unbearable. Only a parent could possibly even begin to imagine this unimaginable pain. Since I didn't have the strength to call, I emailed them to tell them of the news, hoping they would reconsider. To this day, that email has not been responded to. Then my sister called as I was unable to and they told her flat out "we don't care, we can't talk to you anymore. We've made our statement to the credit card company" Can you imagine the type of people who would do something like this? Doug & Heidi, those are those people. We are saddled with a broken family and huge hospital bills and Doug & Heidi are saddling up horses, making money. Stay away from these people and this ranch. They do not deserve your business, they do not deserve anything but bad karma. Very bad karma and I am sure it will come. read more

My husband and I have never taken this type of vacation before, and as our stay approached I wondered if picking a smaller outfit versus one with more name recognition was the right choice. Now that we're back I can confidently say we could not have had a better time anywhere else. The Coles and the staff are all helpful, knowledgeable in their areas of expertise, personable, and did a great job of keeping us and our fellow guests safe without any air of condescension, and we were able to get to know each other on a level that wouldn't be possible at a more corporate operation. The all-inclusive package is a blast with 5+ hours of activities per day, and I can't think of anything that could have been improved; the only thing I wish was different was that the trip flew by too quickly. The cabins are clean and cozy, and they're located centrally so you pass by them between activities - making it easy to stop in to use the bathroom, reapply sunblock, etc. Heidi's food, as everyone says, is second to none [and there was enough even for my husband's bottomless pit of a stomach]; the river runs are fun, well-planned, and amply-supplied; the ATV rides are a blast and well-tailored to the riders' abilities; the target sports are thoughtfully laid out and the experience safety-conscious and non-intimidating to beginners while still being fun for experienced shooters. The horses are happy and well-cared for, the arena is large with well-groomed footing and ample shade, the wranglers have strong horsemanship skills and a solid understanding of each individual horse's personality and needs, and they do a great job of matching horses to guests' skill levels while subtly keeping a closer eye on riders who need a bit more assistance. And all of this in the most beautiful surroundings you could imagine! Our first stay was one to remember, and we hope it won't be our last. read more

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Absolutely amazing week with family here at Marble Mountain Ranch. We were two groups totaling up to 7, ranging in ages from 11 - 80 years old. Our in laws met us here. Everyone had an amazing stay and truly enjoyed the location, the western hospitality, the delicious home cooked meals, the well planned activity schedule and the focus on safety. The scenery on the ranch and surrounding valley is amazing and the solitude, peace and quiet is something we strive to find, as a family that lives within the greater New York City area. Doug and Heidi Cole run a top notch establishment and I feel blessed that we found and chose to stay here. I would return in a heartbeat and would highly recommend friends / family to visit. We are an active family who has visited 20 of 59 US National Parks and love to explore and try new things. MMR offers all this as well as the treasured opportunity to simply sit on a porch, read a book or simply just slow down and enjoy the moment. As a photography enthusiast, I was in awe of the night sky here. The remoteness provides an unbelievable view of the Milky Way galaxy as well as stars, satellites, shooting stars and planets. Everyone at MMR is super gracious and the hospitality is top notch - the owners are involved in every component of your visit, they get to know you by name and work to ensure you feel welcome, safe and happy. I've visited and reviewed many places using Yelp and LOVED MMR. Here's a quick recap: Activities: trail rides, arena and shooting are part of every day. They also include ATV rides, 3 days of white water rafting as well as countless games and other activities (archery, zip lines, hatchet throwing, etc.). Safety is important when traveling with a family and we felt MMR did a wonderful job with everything. Food: prepared fresh for every meal, the meals are filling, varied and delicious. Desserts are always provided and are delicious. Alcoholic drinks are provided with appetizers and dinner but remember this is a family establishment so if your idea is to come here and party you chose the wrong place. If you want to sit as a family, talk about the day and meet others this is the place for you. Facilities: a little slice of heaven... the ranch and small guest houses are comfy and cozy. Everything here is well tended to, neat and tidy. We loved everything about the ranch set up and facilities. Cool nights and warm / hot days in July / August. Staff: top notch, family run establishment where everyone cares about you and the time you have. The owners are involved in ensuring you have a great time and personally attend to you and get to know you. Location: a little slice of heaven, wonderful undeveloped and remote location in the Marble Mountain wilderness. read more

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I just got back from a trip to the Marble Mountain Ranch where I spent time with a group of best buddies. I've stayed at the ranch a few times now and absolutely love it there. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is laid back. Nothing beats spending a day on the river with buddies and ending the day with a great meal prepared by Heidi, Doug, and their team. read more

I cannot say enough about this amazing place. There were 11 of us in total between my family, my brother's family, and our parents, including 2 pre-teenage boys, and 3 teenage girls. We went as a family to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary and it was amazing. ALL of us, especially the kids (ages 10-16) had an AMAZING experience. Doug and Heidi, their family and their staff are some of the kindest, knowledgeable and generally fun people to be around, and they go out do their way to connect with their guests and make sure everyone has a great time - and that we did!! They did a quick riding assessment to match us with a horse that we would ride all week. They chose horses gentle enough for the kids and those who haven't ridden much, and more spirited horses for those of us with more experience. Because our group was so large we broke into two groups for the morning activities, and because of that, they assigned my parents to each family alternating so they would get to spend time with all the grandchildren. Shout out to Boots and Galahad for letting all of us ride and to Teva and Maya for being our canine companions for the week. I had never been white water rafting and my son was quite nervous, but they made the experience a fun and yet very memorable experience for all of us. This is a very active vacation and it's a good thing because good Lord the food!!! Heidi and cexceeded all expectations with some of the best meals I have ever had. Try the biscuits, y'all. You can't eat just one. Or five. The last night we did karaoke, but then they had a surprise dessert in honor of my parents and we were all so touched, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Thank you Doug and Heidi for such an amazing experience, it was the gift of memories for a lifetime for our family! read more

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We rarely write reviews, but once in a great while you find a place that is ever so much more so. That would be Marble Mountain Ranch. We took our four grandkids - ages 9,6,5 and 4 - for an electronics free week in August. The experiences for our city grandkids were non-ending: riding lessons, trail rides, rafting, swimming in the pool, swimming in the river, skipping stones, jumping the zip line, painting targets, branding personal signs, playing games, creating stepping stones, shooting targets, firing arrows, tossing tomahawks, listening to ghost stories (age appropriate) at the campfire, making s'mores, feeding animals, riding ATV's, riding in a pick-up, feeding the animals, caring for the horses, learning about the outdoors, playing tetherball and ping pong, walking a tight rope, and enjoying Doug's endless store of information. We saw elk, bears, jumping fish, ospreys, herons, egrets and more while rafting. The list goes on and on and it all takes place on-site, except for the time on the river. The kids wore their boots and cowboy hats all week, with jeans, shorts and bathing suits. They slept like rocks. We were there after school started in many places, so we unexpectedly had Doug and Heidi mostly to ourselves. The two of them, their sons Adam and Peter, and wrangler Marcelline took incredible care of us. They all are just good people and great company. On top of that, the daily three meals, without exception, were consistently and unbelievably good. (When you go be sure to pick up a copy of Heidi's cookbook.) The experience for us was over the top and the kids loved every single waking moment. We did, too. This was a very special one. read more

This ranch by far exceeds any expectation I had. I expected rudimentary and limited resources... not true. Doug and Heidi provided above and beyond. The cabins had thermostats, running water and plumbing adorned with with amendments comparable to a B&B. The food was beyond exceptional... every meal was a treat to your taste buds. The activities were anywhere from whitewater rifting to firing guns to axe throwing to hiking to horseback riding... the list goes on. No stone was left unturned. By far an amazing vacation with amazing hosts and staff!! Thank you for all the phenomenal memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. Thank you! read more

Heidi, Doug, Inge and Jordan are not only cordial, professional hosts, but also great cooks. The meals are varied and delicious. The single cabin was clean, comfortable and roomy. My fly fishing guides, Adam and Jack, are knowledgeable about the river, the fish and local lore. They gave me good tips on technique and fishing spots and put me on over 50 steelhead and salmon in three days, some over 10 pounds. The deer are plentiful and the bear fat. There are two elk herds roaming in the vicinity of the ranch. Friendly dogs and horses.The river and mountains are beautiful. A group of folks I intend to visit again. read more

Our family visit to Marble Mountain Ranch was unforgettable. From the spectacular location to the one of a kind opportunities for experiences, the Coles have struck the perfect balance of comfort and exhilaration. Doug and Heidi's warmth and dedication come through in every detail of the experience. The entire visit was suffused with the character of this incredible family. The ranch is nestled deep in the forest, miles from everything. Clean and impeccably maintained, every corner felt just like home. We loved waking up each morning to the songs of the birds and the nickers of horses in pasture right behind our sweet little cabin. Tiny touches like quilts on the beds and sweetly patterned sheets made our stay so personal. We were welcomed by a trio of reusable water bottles and an incredibly tasty baked oatmeal bar in our cabin too! The entire trip felt more like a family reunion than a scheduled vacation. Mealtime was another highlight for our family. The virtues of Heidi's cooking are well documented in every review, and no one is exaggerating! Not only is she a wonderful cook who offered nourishing, delicious meals three times a day, but she also went so far above and beyond for our family in managing food allergies for us, both my own and my daughter's. Her care and attention to detail made it possible for us to visit safely with our daughter who has a very significant food allergy. Heidi never failed to carefully check ingredients for safety, which was a relief beyond words for this worried mama!! Our daughter is still raving about "Miss Heidi's alfredo sauce" and the steelhead with asparagus! Heidi also creatively prepared alternatives for things our daughter couldn't have, even whipping up a tasty peach sorbet for her dessert one evening. Our little one never felt left out, which is something she is sadly somewhat accustomed to when it comes to food. We were so impressed too with the ease at which the staff managed the array of daily activities. From shooting rifles to archery, horseback riding to whitewater rafting, the thrill level is definitely high. I was endlessly awed by the coordination and planning that are so apparent. Doug and Heidi's ability to make the daily operations look effortless did not go unnoticed. The staff were all highly skilled in their areas of work. I greatly appreciated their expertise and friendliness. These activities are not "safe" by conventional standards but the good judgement they displayed daily made me feel quite comfortable. Our family holds the value of doing dangerous things safely and this was matched every day! The deep conversations we shared around Doug and Heidi's table fed our souls. Our time with the Coles will never be forgotten. We left feeling rather homesick for this place, and dearly hope that we are able to return! read more

We stayed there with 2 kids, 7 and 8 years old. All our family had a blast. Trail rides, arena rides, white water rafting, shooting of all kinds, ATV rides - you name it. Everything is very well organized, safe but not boring. Owners, Doug and Heidi, are the nicest people in the world. Food is awesome, cabins are comfortable and sparkling clean. We would definitely come again. read more

Marble Mountain Ranch - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Somes Bar, California

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Just got back from an amazing stay at the ranch. Went with my two kids (9 and 7) and my youngest is already saying how much he misses MMR and his horse Sugar. I cannot say enough about the staff. It felt as though they were all family and not just employed by the ranch. Everyone was genuinely helpful, friendly and a pleasure to be around. The owners, Heidi and Doug, go beyond what would be expected to make your stay terrific. Doug actually drove over to the next town (45min) to pick up medicine that I forgot from home. We had to leave early on the last day and Kelly packed up a breakfast for us to take before the kitchen even opened. The horse riding, rafting and shooting range left nothing to be desired. If you choose to make this your vacation spot you won't be disappointed! Oh, and the FOOD!!! Heidi is an amazing chef and the meals were sooo good!! read more

Marble Mountain Ranch - Eva and Eli loved the games in the horse arena! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Somes Bar, California

What a fantastic vacation! The staff was so friendly, the food was delicious, the setting was stunning and the accommodations were very comfortable and clean. We rode horses, got some lessons, went river rafting on some beautiful stretches of river, had the thrill of driving an ATV and got to make our own brand to take home. 5 stars!! read more

We just got back from MMR and had an amazing week there. Doug and Heidi have done an incredible job of creating a wonderful all around experience for the entire family with tremendous attention to detail. The activities are exciting and fun for all ages. Everything is well organized and run with precision. The setting is beautiful, Heidi's meals are homemade, gourmet, and delicious! You get to know all of the other guests and form a community quickly throughout the week. Our 7yr old twins enjoyed roaming around the ranch, the various activities, and playing with the dogs, interacting with the horses, and other kids. The staff was very attentive and incredibly kind. This is a working ranch, not a luxury resort, so plan to participate, roll up your sleeves, get dusty and dirty, and have an active and fun time! We flew in and out of Medford, OR and elected to leverage the paid transfers w the staff at MMR. It is a 3 hr drive each way between Medford and the ranch. The cabins/cottages are rustic, clean, quaint, and provide for all of your basic needs. The ranch is very eco-friendly and completely off the grid, they produce their own power and water. Heidi grows lots of vegetables and fresh herbs that you will get to enjoy throughout the week. Great opportunity to unplug from the digital world and get grounded again with nature, family, yourself, and the people there with you. We would highly recommend this for a wonderful family vacation for all ages, where you get to experience many activities such as trail and arena horse back riding, white water rafting, shooting range, and even ATV riding, in a beautiful with delicious meals, nights around the campfire, and a karaoke night. The hospitality is warm and you will find yourself yearning for a simpler life. We look forward to go back there again in the future and enjoyed stepping outside the box to have a completely active and different vacation. Thank you again to Doug, Heidi, Peter, John, Thomas, Kelly, Ginger, Tory, Cara, CJ, Jonathon, Stewart, and last but not least Rio for making our vacation so much fun and such a great week!! read more

This trip exceeded all of my expectations. The days are action packed! There is arena riding, trail riding, white water rafting and shooting at the range as well as instruction in all of the above! Did I mention that is all in each day! The meals are fresh, high quality, and delicious! I will be back and I highly recommend it! read more

Marble Mountain Ranch - Heidi making breakfast - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Somes Bar, California

Just a fantastic place to vacation with family. Have taken three grandchildren on three trips--just me and one kid--and had a fantastic adventure with three different kinds of kids. Exciting things to do, great food, wonderful staff and Heidi and Doug Cole are fantastic hosts. All three visits have exceeded expectations and provided life-long memories for me and these beloved kids. I take them as an 8th-grade graduation present--just me and the 14-year old and have a completely fun and carefree adventure. Other families were wonderful companions and every day was busy and challenging. If you are looking for a guest ranch experience with your kids or several generations, don't look farther than MMR! read more

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Just got back a few weeks ago from Marble Mountain Ranch. The experience was fantastic. Took the family there for a vacation. Have 3 kids, 16/14/12 years old. The first two are boys and the 12 yo is a girl. All had a great time of riding horses, shooting and enjoying the Klamath River rafting/kayaking. The food was fantastic. The owners are very down to earth and the staff were great. John who is a resident of the ranch provided us with great knowledge of the river and was a wonderful guide. The owners, Heidi and Doug, were just amazing at how they ran the place along with providing guests with a sense of "famiy." Heidi and her crew did a great job with meals. Wonderful breakfast and dinner which were very delicious. Lunches were just sandwiches. They always had desert which were always homemade. While we were there, they had a fire nearby which did interrupt part of the activities but we made some scheduling changes that still gave us fun activities despite fire trucks coming in and out along with helicopters dropping water on the fire. Luckily we did not have to evacuate. Few suggestions (not complaints)...I wished we could stop on the trail rides to take pictures. For us "city folks," we might not get to see the beautiful trails again. The pond needs some upkeep with some of the kayaks and paddle boat. I was hoping to catch some fish from the pond but no luck. Overall, if you want to unplug (though there is Wi-Fi in the main dining area) and enjoy some nature along with eating great food, then you should go to this place. BTW..I killed it on Karaoke night...or at least in my mind. read more

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Spent a week at Marble Mountain Ranch. My little girl and I had so much fun. The staff took really good care of us. We had so many first time experiences from horse back riding to shooting. If you are looking for a relaxing fun filled time to take a vacation, then this is the spot. read more

What a wonderful place to get away from all the city activity's . Doug and Heidi offer something for everyone. The food is excellent. Fresh from Heidi's garden and chicken. She cooks for special diets if need. To us every meal was delicious which forced us to eat 3 meals a day. Doug put up with us fishing with many good fishing pointer which we needed. Caught and released at least 10 plus each. Lots of laughs and good River fun. Peter was our rafting guide and explained history of the area and all the interesting creatures that are living in and near Klamath River. The River wasn't to fast so didn't get to wet. Jordan was our riding guide. She was ready and had horses saddled for our rides. We went on different trails every time and saw the beautiful forest , streams and river. Plus the family dogs were eager to go and blaze the trail. Thank you MMR for making our vacation so awesome. You are such a great family. Margi and Kim read more

Our family of 6 + "the grandparents" had THE BEST time @ MMR! We loved each and every activity from learning how to shoot different weapons (rifles/shotguns/muskets/bows/tomahawks), to barrel racing and other arena games, daily varied trail rides with breathtaking views, river rafting/kayaking, ATV adventures, branding, zipline racing, and all the games around the ranch! Somehow Heidi and crew squeezed in home-cooked meals for the 30 of us plus all the wonderful ranch hands and river guides! Never would have thought we would make such quick friends with the other guests, too! We can't wait to go back! read more

If you are looking for some quality family time with adventure, Marble Mountain Ranch very well could be just what you have been looking for. Your host Heidi and Doug do an amazing job in organizing the activities and keeping you feed with great tasting fresh food. We took are four grand kids and the time flew by. We each were assigned a trail horse for the one-hour morning rides. The second hour was on the range for shooting, archery and tossing axes. The final hour before lunch was in the horse arena, riding the obstacle course. Directly across the street was the Klamath River were Doug and his expert guides would take us rafting/kayaking down different sections in the afternoon The accommodations are basic, not perfect; however you are at a ranch. We do different adventures yearly with are grand kids and it was unanimous with the kids and us this one beats them all. read more

On 9/17/13, Sara M. wrote a review on Marble Mountain Guest Ranch to which I would like to respond. I am going to limit my review in order to address her specific complaints. Having been a guest at the ranch during the same week Sara visited, I am in a unique position to be able to offer a first-hand account. First of all, Sara's claims are inaccurate and unwarranted. I photographed many of the horses, cats, dogs and other farm animals that live on this lovely ranch. As you can see from the attached photos, they are far from neglected or abused. I think you will agree that their faces tell a very different story than the one painted by Sara. As for safety procedures on the shooting range, my husband and I recognize that it is our responsibility as parents to raise our children to be respectful of rules and the experts charged with enforcing them. Sara and her family took many opportunities to disregard the staff and their policies and procedures, both on ranch property and while rafting/kayaking on the Klamath River. With this being said, I think ranch staff would agree that gun safety can never be overemphasized so I would expect that they will continue to fine tune their programs on the shooting range to address this important concern. As for the food coming from Costco, yes this family-run operation hosts a lot of people during its peak season, which demands that they get large quantities of ingredients that go in to preparing the homemade meals, snacks and desserts made fresh daily on site for guests to enjoy. In fact, the food was so good that I purchased the ranch's cookbook so that I could recreate many of the exceptional dishes, breads and desserts that we sampled during our ranch vacation. Sara wrongly indicated that the cabins were nothing more than smelly, old trailers. As you can see from the photograph, they are well-maintained single-unit cabins like you would expect at a guest ranch. Our 2-bedroom, 1-bath cabin with kitchenette and sitting area was exceedingly clean, comfortable and well appointed. Each guestroom was fitted with cheerful, well-coordinated bedding and the bath was equipped with high-quality towels. My family and I had a great time at Marble Mountain Guest Ranch during the same week attended by Sara and her family. I encourage you to disregard her review and look to other assessments found on this site to determine whether Marble Mountain Guest Ranch is right for you. Our experience at Marble Mountain Guest Ranch was great and we hope to return to this extraordinary place some day. read more

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1. Animal abuse: these horses are not shoed and they trip all of the time. Their hooves are cracked and unprotected, and it is very obvious these horses are not happy. They are very stubborn and hard to control by the 2nd and 3rd session because they are in pain. 2. Zero gun safety: The staff has actually DRILLED the safety mechanism out of the guns on the shooting range, and there is very little supervision. It is very unsafe for children. 3. The food: Great baked goods, but all other food is Costco bought. 4. Accommodations: The "cabins" are old trailers. The land "used to be" a trailer park that went bankrupt and they use all their own plumbing. Our cabin/trailer smelled like an animal had died underneath it after the first few days. I do not recommend this place, there is a reason it is pre-paid. read more

My family of six (including 4 boys 10-16) just got back from a week at Marble Mountain Ranch. It was spectacular. SETTING The setting was gorgeous. It's a spacious ranch with plenty of room for activities, horses, ACCOMMODATIONS We stayed in a three-bedroom cabin that included a porch, living room, kitchenette and full bathroom. It was updated and comfortable. We didn't spend much time in there because there was so much fun to do outside, but when we did, it was great. We got a great night's sleep. Calling it a "cabin" can make it sound rustic and dusty with hard mattresses, etc. It wasn't that at all. It was like home. There was also a small swimming pool which we didn't have a chance to use and a homey lodge where you shared meals and could relax on a few sofas and use the games, books, or WiFi. FOOD Great - my kids commented multiple times about the pancakes and other treats. Every night starts with appetizers outside and some wine/beer for the grownups. Then you move inside or eat outside with whatever the cooks have come up with. It was all delicious. We had chicken, pork, ribs, burgers, dogs, sandwiches, Mexican food, etc, etc. Breakfast always included eggs, sausage and pancakes, waffles and cereal. More than you could eat at all meals. They also had gluten-free and dairy-free stuff. HORSE ACTIVITIES We rode horses in an arena (where you learn the basics and can experiment with different riding) and on the trail (where you're on more of a fixed-route hike-like experience). The horses were sweet and clearly well-loved and cared for. The staff were helpful and patient and accommodated a wide range of abilities among riders. RIVER ACTIVITIES We did kayaking and rafting for 3 days, including one day where we added a mid-river hike to a waterfall. Lots of fun and again, very safe. For kayaking, the guides assessed everyone's ability before taking us on progressively advanced challenges. SHOOTING RANGE My kids loved this. It was fun, safe and managed by multiple staff at all times with clear instruction and guidance. We did rifles, pistols, shotguns, powder muskets, archery and hatchet-throwing. For each we received instruction on technique and safety (which was emphasized throughout). They mixed it up every day so there was always some new weapon to try out. STAFF This is a long-standing family-run business and it's pretty clear they care about their work, love their lifestyle and want everyone to have a safe and fun time. Although you're in mountain country, the guides are a diverse lot. Our first shooting guide was a PhD candidate; our first river guide was a Russian Studies graduate with multiple languages and a broad range of interests. Our horse instructor was charming and patient and - it turns out - a great singer. For our kids, the staff were great models of patient hard-working people with a lot of skills and dedication. We were glad to be around them for the week though they made me re-examine my own notions of hard work and purpose. It was a great time in a great setting. If I were to try to balance this with something critical, I'd say they need slightly longer breaks between activities. They make it very clear you can skip out of any activities you'd like to slow down and relax more. But the activities are a lot of fun and you don't really want to miss anything. That said, only having 10 minutes between activities can leave you feeling a bit rushed during the day. They need something in-between skipping an event and rushing in those 10 minutes would be best...perhaps just another five minutes. read more

Having known the Cole family for a long time now, my family and I can testify that they are professionals in providing terrific hospitality to all. They extend their love and care to their guests and their animals. A wilderness retreat location might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it refreshes my soul every year. The home cooking is exceptional and includes many things from their own gardens. And you must try some of Heidi's lavender balm for dry skin. One should note that everyone's health and safety is a number one priority of the whole family and staff. So even though I'm not a great sportswoman, I always feel safe in their boats, around their animals, and at their gun range. I highly recommend a vacation at Marble Mountain Ranch. read more

So. Much. Fun. Like summer camp for the whole family, with activities from early in the morning to night. Trail riding, arena games, river rafting, shooting, plentiful (and delicious) food, congenial company. Hosts Doug and Heidi give new meaning to the phrase "power couple", running the multi-faceted ranch with style and grace along with their friendly helpful staff. This is a perfect vacation for families with kids of all ages. I took my 9 year old grandson and we both had a blast. And... if you decide to relax on the front porch of your perfect cottage with a book, looking over the expansive green lawns and beautifully cared-for horses, no judgement! It just might be difficult to resist jumping into the fun. read more

My family of eleven decided to celebrate my grandpa's 80th birthday at a dude ranch (it's always been a dream of his). When arriving at MMR, we were instantly greeted by Doug and Heidi, who treated and cared for us beyond our expectations. From the water rafting, shooting range, horse trails, to homemade meals and comfortable cabins - we enjoyed every minute of our experience. The staff (shout out to Koby, Keigo, Olivia, Mike, and Pierce!) was attentive, interactive, and always had our best interest and safety in mind. Our family left with many memories for retelling repeatedly for years to come. I can speak for them all by saying we'd recommend this vacation to any family looking for an adventurous and interactive-filled experience. read more

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Just got back from spending three nights at the Marble Mountain Guest Ranch. We came here to do some fishing and we indeed do some fishing but I was actually looking forward to more than just that. I think that I went in with too high of expectation for the time of year that it was. These guys are winding down their season and they seem like they are ready for the winter hibernation. This time of year is more about just fishing. Not much else is going on on the ranch, not exactly what I had bargained for. While doing research to where we were going to go, we found this information below about the ranch, "Running retreats and running vacations are ideally suited to the climate and terrain of Marble Mountain Guest Ranch. Located in the mountains along the Klamath River, it is home to many trails and scenic roads of all lengths and levels of difficulty. If you are a beginning runner or a seasoned veteran to the sport, you can create your ideal running retreat in the place we call home." but... when we got there we were strongly discouraged to not go out and wonder the property for fear of mountain lions and bears that were coming down out of the mountains for the winter. There were some places that the owner recommended but nothing for a good long run, maybe 6 or 7 miles. It was a bit of a bummer but we still managed to just relax and get some reading in, while our little girl napped. Also, just a FYI, we ended up going with the all inclusive, which meant we were fed breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was delicious, a little heavy for us but none the less wonderful. The only thing here is that it was a long time between lunch and dinner for us. Lunch was a sack lunch with a sandwich, cookies, a bag of chips and beverage. A little steep for $15 dollars but we are way out in the boonies so I factor that expense in. I started to get hungry again around 4 or 5, and didn't have any food because we thought we would be fed. Also, we rented two rooms, one for my husband, daughter and I and the other for my in-laws. Both microwaves were touch and go if they worked or not. In the end, this is a working Dude ranch and I think the time to come here is in the summer. I noticed that others were here with us as well but they didn't do the whole all inclusive thing. That seems like a nicer way to go this time of year. Spurge on the room, cook your own food and just fish. Save the other activities for a different time of year. read more

Best vacation choice I made so far. My son 8 and I had as my son said "the best time ever" :0). Doug, Heidi and family have a fun filled week planned that does not stop. Rafting with expert guides, individual horse training, range shooting with all kinds of firearms, archery and hatchet throwing. Horseback trail rides and fishing. The food is amazing. Plenty to do during the infrequent down time on the ranch. I highly recommend this as a family vacation spot. My son is already saying "next year." read more

Excellent family-friendly fun!! We went here for a couples getaway and had an awesome experience. Doug and Heidi are amazing hosts and teachers for someone who has never rode horses, whitewater rafted, or been to a gun range. They also have archery, ATVs, hatchet throwing, hiking trails, and more! To top it off, Heidi has some of the best cooking I've ever had in my life! Highly recommended! read more

Our family of 8 including 2 grandparents, 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren ranging in age from 12 to 77. We loved the entire experience. We have had the opportunity to travel to many places in the world and I mentioned to my husband that this was one of the most fulfilling trip of many. As others have said, it was a perfect time to get off the grid and enjoy outdoor life at it's best. There is also time to just relax, read a book, take a nap or just sit and enjoy the beauty of the ranch. Doug's morning greetings included all the planned activities for the day and he mentioned that many people suffer from AOMO (afraid of missing out) and that it was really OK to do nothing. As for Doug and Heidi and the rest of the crew, it is obvious they enjoy what they give to those lucky enough to have this time in such a beautiful setting. We all loved the more extreme activities, white water rafting, kayaking, horse riding and instruction, shooting range, bow and arrow training, ATV riding, and some quiet activities - my favorite was learning about and doing branding over a roaring fire. The cabins are perfect - small semi kitchen, bathrooms seem to be redone and provide everything needed. One of my best memories was having an early cup of coffee in bed and hearing the wranglers walk the horses down to the barn to begin saddling them up for the morning ride. I should mention the food - great and very abundant. One of our members is a vegetarian and was always able to be served meals that met her desire. If you are ever lucky enough to spend some time at MMR, you will enjoy the beauty of life in all it's aspects. Thank you. Nikki Par read more

Danger Doug and his family really make you feel comfortable and at home on the ranch. The food is all homemade and really adds a homey touch. So much to do along with so much relaxing. The scenery was some like I have never seen!! Beautiful trail rides. River rafting, fishing, games, karaoke night, shooting, bow and arrow....lots of activities to choose from. Very laid back atmosphere, but.... They take safety very seriously!!! I would advise you to check what age children are on your particular week. My teenage girl had no peers and our week had mostly little kids. Overall, a great experience. I recommend going rafting on an inflatable kayak to experience the rapids close up! read more

Our family with teenagers (19,18,13) had a fabulous time. We chose MMR because it is the only Dude Ranch around that combines horses, rafting and shooting. We went to bed in our cozy cabins exhausted each night with very full bellies from all the wonderful meals Heidi provided. As parents, we appreciated their focus on safety and skills with each activity. We did all of the activities as a family so we really spent some cherished family time together. I personally love the fact that we were electronic and cell phone free for most of the trip. We highly recommend MMR for families of all ages! Our teens loved the ranch and all of the activities. read more

When researching where to go on vacation as a blended family with 5 kids, we had read that a dude ranch was highly recommended. We searched to find the perfect one for our family and found it right here in Somes Bar! I could not begin to say enough wonderful things about Heidi and Doug and all of their ranch hands at Marble Mountain Ranch. They provided full time fun and entertainment for all of our kids, ages ranging from 6-15, from the second the kids woke up until they went to sleep. They have a very well oiled system at their ranch and their daily agenda was always so fun to attend. They have about 23 beautiful horses with all different kinds of personalities, and it was always fun to see which ones were in the mood to play with us for the morning, and which ones weren't. All of our kids LOVED Dartanian, and you will as well! What a beautiful horse that Heidi and Doug rescued. I loved the family style dinners and the food was amazing! Heidi baked desserts with all the kids one afternoon and my kids still talk about it to this day. I had never shot a gun prior to coming to the ranch and Doug and his ranch hands made me feel very comfortable for not only myself, but mankind to shoot the guns every day. This is a very safe, fun and loving ranch. We still talk about it almost daily. It really did bring our blended family closer and provided exactly what we needed for our broad range of age in children. I highly recommend Marble Mountain Ranch, you will not regret going! read more

Simply put, the experience at Marble Mountain was excellent. Doug & Heidi (the owners) are extremely personable, professional, fun and truly care about you (and your safety). They made me feel welcome, take the time to instruct on any activity and their staff is just as kind, caring, professional and...fun!! You will not regret going. It was my first ranch experience and just got back last night. I didn't want to leave. I look forward to going back again. Whatever level of experience you have horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, fishing, etc...you will truly have an amazing time! I was truly blessed by all of them and was sent on my way with a feeling of "family". I can't wait to go back!! :) read more

We visited with my parents, almost 80 years old, my teenage boys and my brother with his 7 year old nephew. Doug and Heidi are amazing and all of the staff went beyond the ordinary to be friendly helpful and kind. The facilities are nice, clean and have everything you need for a week visit (bring soap, shampoo and lotion - we took two showers a day with the dust). The food is amazing! Heidi bakes fresh pastry daily and Doug smokes ribs and pulled pork. Everything was made from scratch, prepared perfectly, we were never starving. River rafting was fun and exciting, the guides were professional and the equipment in great condition. We all loved the trail rides, horses were independent and had personality but knew what they were supposed to be doing too. my 12 year old has never ridden and we had ring instruction everyday plus he did all the trails. Finally, we are bird hunters and love to shoot. We enjoyed trying different guns every day of the week and playing games the last day - professional safe and fun! Be sure to come ready to be busy all day, we had a great family vacation for all three generations read more

Thanks again for the amazing visit at Marble Mountain Ranch. We are already figuring out how we can return this Spring or Summer. Doree is getting all the photos touched up and will send them your way (including the desiccated Salmon head). I can't stress enough how much like family we felt staying with you all. Introducing our kids to firearms, fishing and riding in such an intimate setting is truly transformative and has touched us deeply. The capper was getting to walk the ditch with Doug. It was great seeing the history and the heart of what makes the ranch possible. I am talking about Doug not the ditch, or perhaps they are one in the same. read more