Glamptuary Spring 2025 Newsletter
IT’S MAY!
THE FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING, AND THE SMELL OF NEW IS IN THE AIR.
FOR INSTANCE…
THERE IS A NEW SEASON OF THE GLAMPTUARY PODCAST WHICH WENT LIVE IN APRIL, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
I HAD A BIRTHDAY IN APRIL, WHICH MEANS I AM ON A NEW JOURNEY AROUND THE SUN.
WE VISITED A NEW GLAMPTUARY IN APRIL (ON MY BIRTHDAY), AND I HAD A WONDERFUL CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNERS, WHICH I’VE HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS ARTICLE.
I WAS NEWLY INTERVIEWED IN APRIL BY REDFIN, ABOUT WHAT MAKES DENVER COOL.
APRIL WAS A BUSY MONTH, AND LIFE FEELS FRESH LIKE SPRING.
THERE’S LOTS TO TALK ABOUT, SO LETS GET TO IT!
Diving right in…
I am humbled to mention that I was briefly interviewed by REDFIN about what makes Denver a cool place to live. Here’s a quote below:
Bobby Marsden, Founder of The Glamptuary Blog + Podcast expands more on Denver’s scene, “With Colorado being the gateway to the Rockies, Denver is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts to gather before heading out to the mountains. With new festivals launching like OUTSIDE FESTIVAL which takes place right outside the Capitol Building, Denver is leading the charge to continue supporting the outdoor recreation and hospitality industries which generated $65 billion in revenue for the state in 2024. The Wilderness Exchange is a local gem for getting great outdoor gear at the best price. They run a consignment program, and the staff are experts when it comes to fittings and recommendations.”
The FULL ARTICLE can be read here, and it is a comparison of two cities (Denver and Seattle) which draw many to visit and live there based on the access to outdoor recreation and hospitality.
I’m a big fan of both cities. Thanks for including me Holly Hooper!
I’m also a big fan of The Glamptuary Podcast.
Partly because I host it. Mostly because I’m fortunate to continue to speak with such wonderful guests.
In Season 4, the focus is on the business of outdoor hospitality. The line-up of guests includes a diverse collection of viewpoints from the best-of-the-best:
— 1. The Season Premiere is LIVE, and we feel so lucky to have kicked things off with TORI BOLT who co-owns BOLT FARM TREEHOUSE in Whitwell, TN with her husband SETH BOLT. Tori and Seth have been in the outdoor hospitality business for 10 years and in that time, they’ve appeared on NETFLIX, have amassed over 600,000 followers on Instagram, and have a 96% occupancy rate. Tori enlightens us with the path her and Seth took to set the bar so high, and this episode is jam-packed with tips on how to grow a successful outdoor hospitality business.
Tori Bolt
— 2. Episode 2 dives into the RV and upscale campground side of outdoor hospitality. We sat down with Chief Revenue Officer and self-dubbed “Campground Cowboy” Garett McKinnon of CAMPGROUND VIEWS to discuss what he’s learned working with over 25,000 outdoor hospitality destinations across the U.S. and Canada. This episode launches on Wednesday May 7th!
Garett McKinnon
— 3. Curious what the big hotel chains are doing with outdoor hospitality? We are stoked to have spoken with Brad Leblanc, Chief Development and Franchise Officer with Best Western Hotels and Resorts. In Episode 3, Brad will shed light on the big moves that started taking place in 2024 when the “bigs” (Best Western, Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott) started moving into the outdoor hospitality space. Brad also talks about the bright future ahead for outdoor hospitality! This episode launches on Wednesday May 21st.
Brad Leblanc
— 4. So you want to launch a business in outdoor hospitality? How do you get financed? In Episode 4, we’ll chat with with Bruce Hurta of the Business Finance Depot to learn about how to seek financing to make your outdoor hospitality dreams a reality. This episode launches on Wednesday June 4th!
Bruce Hurta
— 5. Are you running an outdoor hospitality destination and want to up your game? Perhaps you’re wondering if there is a loyalty program out there you could join? In Episode 5, we’ll chat with Audrey Yates, VP of Hotel Partnerships at STASH HOTEL REWARDS. Stash made a name for itself by building a community around boutique hotels. Recently, they began including outdoor hospitality destinations into their portfolio, and we think that’s a smart move. Audrey will explain how the program works, and what the future looks like for outdoor hospitality. This episode launches on Wednesday, June 18th!
Audrey Yates
— 6. Ever wondered what it would be like to open a business in a foreign country? How about an outdoor hospitality resort in Belize? In Episode 6, we’ll chat with Lance Walker and his wife Chrissy Walker who did just that! Their story is amazing and what they created is equally spectacular. We’ll learn about JADE JUNGLE RESORT, and the amazing journey Lance and Chrissy are on + their plans for the future. This episode launches on Wednesday, July 2nd!
The Walker Family
— 7. Having successfully launched and sold a profitable outdoor hospitality resort called ONERA, along with running a highly sought after outdoor hospitality consulting firm called OASI, our guest in episode 7 is the perfect example for how to succeed in outdoor hospitality. Ben Wolff enlightens us with SO MUCH info on how to succeed, with a focus on how to make Social Media work to your advantage, you may just want to listen to this episode twice. This episode launches on Wednesday, July 16th!
Ben Wolff
— 8. Running an outdoor hospitality resort is hard work. Especially if it’s your first time. In Episode 8, we’ll speak with one of the best in the business to learn about how partnering with the right management firm can make the difference between success and failure. Quentin Incao, CEO and Founder of Q Hospitality Management, walks us through the 101’s of how to run an outdoor hospitality business. This is a must listen for any newbies out there who want to succeed. This episode launches on Wednesday, July 30th!
Quentin Incao
— 9. MYSTERY GUEST!
Some hints though…it’ll be a travel blogger. Someone who has seen it all. Or almost, anyway. We’ll jump the fence and take a look at the outdoor hospitality business from the consumer’s point of view. After all, if not for our customers, we wouldn’t survive. It’s why we do what we do. This episode launches on Wednesday, August 13th!
Speaking of…I was recently a customer at a Colorado Dude Ranch for my Birthday.
I’m a cowboy on the trail at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch!
We visited SUNDANCE TRAIL GUEST RANCH in Red Feather Lakes, CO for a birthday weekend full of horseback rides, good meals, relaxation, and great conversation with the owners Dan and Ellen Morin. They’ve been running the ranch since 2000, and dove into the outdoor hospitality space with no experience. They were both successful nurse practitioners and avid horse people in Texas, with a shared dream of living on a working dude ranch. When the opportunity arose to buy a ranch in Colorado, they jumped on it and have built a successful dude ranch which draws people in from all over the world.
Dan and Ellen Circa 2000.
I loved my weekend at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch and I left feeling refreshed, and hopeful that someday I might be able to live on a ranch. That was my birthday wish.
And to start planning to make my dream a reality, I asked Dan and Ellen what it’s been like for the past 25 years…and here’s what they had to say:
BOBBY: If you could describe your experience running the ranch for the past 26 years using one word, what word comes to mind?
ELLEN: Adventure. Every week brings something new—new families, new stories, new challenges, and new memories made together. Whether it's a first-time trail ride, a shared drink on the porch, or a child overcoming fear to try something new, this ranch has been a place of joyful discovery. Hearing from families years later about what their time here meant to them is one of the greatest rewards.
DAN: Dream-come-true.
BOBBY: What are some highlights that come to mind from the past 25 years?
DAN: We have thousands of stories! Stay tuned for the book (and maybe the movie)! We are now seeing the third generation of guests and staff! Watching them grow gives us an enormous sense of satisfaction and joy.
ELLEN: One unforgettable moment was when a family took over the ranch to celebrate 50 years of marriage. The husband had dreamed of riding with his kids and grandkids, but a stroke left him in a wheelchair. After working with his therapist, we built a custom ramp and helped him ride every day during their stay. Their joy was contagious—we still hear from them every Christmas. Another special moment was with a 9-year-old boy who burst into tears when he first approached the horses. We worked with him one-on-one, and by the end of the week, he was confidently riding with the group—even trying a lope. His smile said it all.
Another successful dude ranch week in the books
BOBBY: What do you think the future holds for dude ranches and experiential hospitality?
ELLEN: The future of dude ranches is bright. More and more, families are seeking experiences—something deeper than sightseeing. They want to try new things together, away from the noise of daily life. This is just as true for solo travelers, especially women. Many find freedom and connection here—riding horses, meeting new people, and reconnecting with nature. Dude ranches offer something rare: a sense of belonging and adventure in one place.
DAN: This is a very good question. Parents often ask us to unplug the wifi and cell phone coverage. We see many children and teens with “Recreation Deficit Disorder,” who simply do not know how to play outside. Our mission has always been for our guests, as a family, to get very dirty, pretty darned tired, and maybe a little sore.
A family gets ready to head out on the trail
BOBBY: Any tips for would-be ranchers out there who are considering turning their property into a dude ranch?
DAN: For the last 25 years, we have been blessed “doing what we love.” We encourage folks to do what they love, and love what they do.
ELLEN: You probably won’t get rich—but if you’re in it for the lifestyle, the rewards are priceless. Be ready to work hard and wear many hats. But the memories you help create, and the lives you touch, will stay with you forever. If you love people, animals, and the outdoors, there’s nothing quite like it.
Celebrating around the campfire at Sundance Trail Guest Ranch
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Dreams do come true if you believe in yourself. Dan and Ellen did it. You can too.
Giddy up!
Namasté
I truly appreciate your time and if you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read - please share with your network.
