A Virtual Tour of the Ranch

The tour begins at the Ranch Entrance off of highway 138 west. From there it passes over the Ranch House where Alvin resides followed by the Sheep Barn further down the road. Then we jump to Fern Creek: typically the beginning of most fishing trips. Next is Stuck Hole, famous for its American Shad fishing. Further down river is the Bluff and Rapp Bar. Brad's Creek, the Big K's largest set of rapids can be found just below Rapp. Powerline is usually the take-out point in a day of fishing and is easily recognized by the power lines crossing the river. The end of the ranch property is marked by the bridge just down from Smith Ferry rapids. We then jump back to the Lodge complex, and finally, an overlook of the entire 2500 acre property. Enjoy!

Not Just a Great Place to Fish
Floating the River, Horseback Riding, Sporting Clays, Hiking...

With over 2500 acres, there is something for everyone at the Big K. The peaceful float trips down our section of the river demonstrate the stunning beauty of the Umpqua.

Our Guided Trail Rides, however, will give you the best opportunity to experience the ranch. There is nothing quite like riding through the trees or across an open field in the cool of the evening at the Big K.

· Fern Creek, scenic wooded trail ride . Approx. 1 hr. Leaving the horse corral we travel down one of the ranch roads, following the river, then taking a heavily wooded uphill trail, we ride through a dense wooded area, which opens out at a panoramic view spot. We then meander through the open pasture ground with a great view of the river and ranch livestock home pastures, ending back at the corral.


· Gun Range Loop, scenic ride . Approx. 1 hr. Leaving the horse corral we cross the main ranch entrance road, connecting to the Gun Range Road, where you will see the Sporting Clay Range. This ride has a great scenic overlook from above the sheep pasture and barns to the Umpqua River below, with the timbered mountains behind.


· Smith Ferry Lookout, extreme lookout ride. Approx. 1 hr. 15-30 min. Leaving the horse corral we cross the main ranch entrance road, connecting to the Gun Range Road, the trail turns onto an old logging road which traverses uphill to a spectacular lookout to the north view of the Umpqua River and surrounding ranches, with a great northwest view. Nice late afternoon ride to catch a sunset.


· Scenic Loop Ride . Approx. 1 hr. & 30 min. to 2 hrs. Leaving the horse corral we cross the main ranch entrance road, connecting to the Gun Range Road, or turning uphill to ride through the sheep pastures, the trail turns onto an old logging road. We connect to one of the main ridge roads with a continuous southeast view of the ranch, Umpqua River Loop and the surrounding timbered hills. Then turning north the loop ride continues through the top ridge of the ranch offering a northwest view back towards the town of Elkton. This ride is great for pictures!


· Ranch House Lookout: Approx. 1 hr. 45 min. This ride is not for beginners. Leaving the horse corral we travel down one of the ranch roads, following the river, then taking a heavily wooded uphill trail, we ride through a dense wooded area, the trail turns uphill for sometime of heavy riding. We break out above the ranch house with a westerly view of the surrounding timbered mountains.


· Scenic Ridge River View Ride to the Lodge : Approx. 3 hrs. Leaving the horse corral we cross the main ranch entrance road, connecting to the Gun Range Road, or turning uphill to ride through the sheep pastures, the trail turns onto an old logging road. We connect to one of the main ridge roads with a continuous southeast view of the ranch, Umpqua River Loop and the surrounding timbered hills. This ride follows the upper Ranch road to the Lodge, where is you’d like to break for Lunch or an early Dinner, you then return to the horse corral via the main ranch road which follows the river.