River Valley Ranch Golf Club

About
Nestled at the base of Mt. Sopris, River Valley Ranch Golf Club has a diverse layout that stretches from the rolling valley floor to the banks of the Crystal River. The natural contours and wetlands were fully utilized to create a challenging and scenic golf course. Since opening in 1997, the course has received tremendous praise, including being called "the jewel of the Rockies" by Golf Magazine. Sagebrush and pinion pines line the lush, rolling fairways and strategically placed bunkers contrast beautifully with the verdant, lightning fast greens. The hilly terrain provides a challenging up and down nature and from the golf course's highest points, golfers can take in breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. In addition to the course, River Valley also has a driving range and a practice putting green where you can work on your putting and chipping.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ranch | 72 | 7348 yards | 73.7 | 136 |
Back | 72 | 6600 yards | 70.6 | 129 |
Middle | 72 | 5964 yards | 68.0 | 116 |
Forward (W) | 72 | 5168 yards | 68.4 | 114 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 73.7/141 | 420 | 534 | 211 | 391 | 541 | 453 | 313 | 175 | 401 | 3439 | 419 | 566 | 442 | 186 | 405 | 474 | 226 | 607 | 440 | 3765 | 7204 |
Black/Blue M: 71.8/135 | 387 | 534 | 178 | 366 | 541 | 420 | 313 | 175 | 401 | 3315 | 347 | 566 | 420 | 186 | 405 | 438 | 185 | 607 | 391 | 3545 | 6860 |
Blue M: 70.5/129 W: 76.7/154 | 387 | 507 | 178 | 366 | 507 | 420 | 273 | 167 | 362 | 3167 | 347 | 528 | 420 | 157 | 369 | 438 | 185 | 570 | 391 | 3405 | 6572 |
Blue/White M: 69.3/121 W: 74.8/146 | 366 | 467 | 178 | 366 | 507 | 393 | 273 | 167 | 330 | 3047 | 347 | 491 | 367 | 157 | 369 | 413 | 185 | 509 | 361 | 3199 | 6246 |
White M: 68.0/112 W: 73.0/136 | 366 | 467 | 150 | 334 | 471 | 393 | 230 | 150 | 330 | 2891 | 317 | 491 | 367 | 130 | 288 | 413 | 147 | 509 | 361 | 3023 | 5914 |
White/Red M: 65.8/109 W: 70.9/125 | 250 | 467 | 125 | 334 | 437 | 346 | 230 | 150 | 330 | 2669 | 317 | 423 | 367 | 108 | 288 | 322 | 120 | 475 | 361 | 2781 | 5450 |
Red M: 64.2/107 W: 68.9/122 | 250 | 434 | 125 | 304 | 437 | 346 | 201 | 137 | 268 | 2502 | 279 | 423 | 345 | 108 | 267 | 322 | 120 | 475 | 271 | 2610 | 5112 |
Handicap | 2 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 6 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 5 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 3 | |||
Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
Handicap (W) | 12 | 2 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 16 | 8 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 3 | 11 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
SnacksAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 09/21/2021
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 09/21/2021
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 09/21/2021
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 09/21/2021
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Photo submitted by coloradojulie on 09/01/2019
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Photo submitted by FDk68VoL6G8h1FwI1jOU on 06/07/2019
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My Sopris Views all over this course Photo submitted by NL359UXxGlbYkAgHpt5e on 06/07/2019
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Photo submitted by tommy1975 on 06/06/2019
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Mount Sobris in the background. Photo submitted by Gunther123 on 09/22/2014
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Photo submitted by phumrich on 10/08/2012
Great course
Played today and they have a great walking only hour from 2:00 - 3:00 and only $40. More courses should offer this for people that like to walk.....genius idea. This is just a great course and it was in perfect condition. Greens were fast and true and very few ball marks, Fairways were carpet and the bunkers are immaculate. Not to mention the layout is great. I wish this was my home course. It also has a great restaurant and bar and all of it looks at Mt Sopris and the Crystal River. Just go play it!!
Pleasantly Surprised
We discovered this course by accident. We were looking for a place to eat in Carbondale on Labor Day and everything was closed for the holiday. We found the restaurant here was open and stopped in for dinner. We had a view of the course from the patio and liked what we saw and decided to play a round the next day. Was well worth it! I really liked the ambience in character of this course. It winds through the community and mature stands of pine and broadleaf trees. The conditions overall were very good from tee to green. I like the variety of challenges and holes on this course. Water did come into play on a couple holes as well as forced carries. Elevation changes are mild at best here. The views of Mount Sopris were an added bonus. The restaurant was also very good and would recommend. The only real knock I have is my girlfriend's Margarita was not very good. But overall a great value and would absolutely recommend the restaurant and course.
Favorite Aspen Valley course
This course is scenic, well maintained and a lot of fun to play. The first tee box is a test of your nerves over the river; overall the course plays challenging but fair. I found the staff friendly and helpful. The place is run by a golfer, not a corporation, and it shows.
Golf course needs help
Upon arrival staff was not very friendly. Course conditions were not that great. Cartpath had potholes everywhere. Would not recommend Playing here. Not a very good value for your money.
Prettiest and best valued course in the area
This course is located in a mountain valley within an attractive residential development. Some of the photos of the course on its website were taken about 20 years ago before the surrounding houses were built, but are otherwise indicative of the beautiful scenery there. The adjacent yards and houses are set back a sufficient distance from the fairways that only the most extreme errant shots will land outside of the course itself.
The tee boxes, fairways, and greens are very well maintained. That requires irrigation, and an unintended consequence of that is that the sand in the numerous bunkers is typically wet and heavy, making shots out of bunkers (especially, green side) very difficult for players who are less than expert. Also, the "native" grass that surrounds most fairways becomes so thick where it is irrigated that balls disappear into it. However, the fairways are generally somewhat wider than average and the grass in the rough is kept mowed sufficiently short that it is easy to find balls in it.
The course is moderately hilly and as such is more "walkable" than other courses in the area that are set among steep ravines. However, very few players walk there because (1) there is no price break, (2) the distances between holes add substantial walking length, and (3) there are no benches and few places with drinking water.
Other than the lack of a price break for walking, the cost of a round with a cart (which includes a basic quality GPS) is consistent with other public courses in the area, and is particularly a better value than the courses in the Aspen area about 30 miles away.
The driving range and practice greens are quite good, except at times when the tees on the range are moved up so far that only irons are allowed to be used. (I think that I am typical in needing a warm-up with my driver the most, especially at this course where the first hole is very challenging.)
The restaurant and bar in the building with the pro shop are attractive, with a spectacular view from the patio. It is very good for a full lunch or dinner, but is lacking in the type of basic, inexpensive items like hot dogs or cold sandwiches that I am more interested in having after a round of golf.

Thanks for your review! I do want to clarify that the restaurant does offer grab and go turn food for golfers including hot dogs, breakfast burritos, sandwiches and more. We have a text menu on the 8th tee for ordering food. Hope to see you out on the course again!
Surrounded by Views!
This course is one of my favorites to play! Elevated tee boxes, river carries and fast, undulating greens offer just the right amount of challenge. The rates vary based on time of play. We played after 3:00 which was $49. That's a great value! The staff was friendly and welcoming.
Not inspiring
Fairly vanilla compared to what else in in the area. Lots of mountain views but it's not a mountain course at all. Flat routing, very playable but not worth $75.

I guess we all define mountain courses differently. It is located in a River Valley...hence the name. It's located at over 6000 ft, and surround by peaks as high as 12,000 ft. If you literally want to golf on a mountain or looking for extreme elevation changes this course doesn't have that. If you like fair and playable golf in a beautiful setting this is a great option.
Incredibly Beautiful Course
Below the majestic Mt. Sopris, lies this jewel of a course...incredibly friendly Cours and Staff with challenges for all types of golfers....also an Excellent restaurant on site with the finest views of the Crystal River and Valleys.......the course is in excellent condition as well!!.
Beautiful golf course, outstanding service!
Beautifully maintained golf course with stunning views of Mt. Sopris. Great layout, fun for all abilities. Everyone was friendly and helpful, from the starter, to the golf shop staff, to the golf professionals. Homestead Bar & Grill was outstanding. Great food, great service, and unbelievable setting.
Best course public within 50 miles
The course is in great shape. It is clear that the new management knows what needs to be done to keep the course in great shape and the golfers happy.. Everything runs very smooth and I feel like my business is appreciated. The restaurant is great. Food is good and the service i excellent.
Mountain beautiful
If you want a pristine course with beautiful Mountain View’s you want to play this one.
River Valley Ranch Golf Course
My experience at River Valley Ranch Golf exceeded my expectations in every way. The new management has definitely taken RVR to the next level. The staff is welcoming, friendly, and helpful. The golf course, set in one of the most beautiful locations in the Roaring Fork Valley, is both fun and challenging, and it is in immaculate condition. The same can be said about the new Homestead Bar & Grill. The service and food are excellent, and the setting is breathtaking. I would recommend RVR to all who love golf in a beautiful mountain setting. You won’t be disappointed.
Great staff, pros and restaurant. Course is beautiful.
RVR is an easy course to navigate, challenging but fun. There are 2 experienced pros who are always glad to help. There are clinics for different levels and a great driving range. The restaurant is wonderful, serving breakfast on the go, lunch at the turn and full menu for lunch and dinner. The views from this course are fabulous! You will not be disappointed playing here!
Great layout, with the best views around.
This was my first time playing RVR in years. I was very impressed with the friendliness of the new staff and management. The course has always been one of my favorites in Colorado, but the condition this Spring is better than I have ever seen it. I look forward to coming back and bringing my friends any family to show them the NEW River Valley Ranch!
This course has awesome views
This course is awesome to play very fair and straight forward. The staff and amenities were outstanding and very helpful. We had a afternoon tee time and didn't see another person until the 14 the hole. Beautiful views of Mt Sopris and the Crystal river. The greens were in perfect condition and rolled very true.
4-star,especially for women
Nice layout and conditioning. Not much elevation change. Not many forced carries, good for women.
Big gripe with amenities. Waited for rental clubs which needed to be arranged and cleaned. Then discovered that not all clubs were cleaned, had two p-wedges and hybrid was broken. Lousy putter. Driver had scratches on top. Had to wait ten minutes for hot dog at turn and it was cold. Did not lose place on course because of slow play behind us. When I made tee time, was not told that I was in middle of Men's team play. We were twosome and could have played at another time. Again, nice course, sub-par management.
Best public course in the area
This is really a nice course in great condition. The layout is very cool and every hole is unique. I have played all the public courses sin that area and it is by far the best. Great setting with Mt Sopris in your view on every hole.
GoodCourse, Great Views
Excellent course conditions with great scenery. The course has a river that runs through it. It is relativly flat with some elevation changes. No blind shots. Staff was friendly. Seemed like a members course.
Beautiful place especially for the price
Beautiful mountain course with amazing views. Well worth the price and it was actually a great deal using golf now. Only a 45 minute drive from Aspen. We are going back again today.
In addition, this type of review is really harmful to any business if not based in fact. This same course was named one of the Colorado's top three public courses last year...can't be as bad as your review. In this time of Covid and small business struggles, please be honest and fair. There are enough challenges without this BS.
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize that you did not have a great experience. We'd be happy to discuss this further if you would like to reach out to management. I do disagree however with the condition of the course, and the greens and fairways are pristine at the moment, rolling at 11 on the surfaces. We are in the midst of a drought and do acknowledge that the native grasses and higher knolls can be dry....our maintenance crew is hand watering daily. Cart paths are rough for sure in spots. We are patching areas and take on big tree root extraction projects on the shoulder seasons as to not disrupt play. Our staff is generally friendly, however I will have our director of golf review your feedback with them. Perhaps if you visit the area, you will give us another chance.