McGraw Ranch

McGraw Ranch is a historic ranch property in Larimer County situated in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with traditional wooden buildings and agricultural structures. The structures are spread across the terrain within Rocky Mountain National Park in a layout typical of working ranches from that era.

The ranch was founded in 1936 and represents a chapter in the development of American ranching during the Great Depression era. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places recognizes its importance to regional agricultural history.

The buildings and their layout show construction methods and land use practices common among Colorado ranchers in the 1930s. Visitors can see how the structures were adapted to the harsh mountain landscape.

The visitor experience is limited since the ranch primarily serves as a research center for scientists working in the park. Check ahead about which areas are accessible and what guided tours are offered, as availability is restricted.

The ranch shifted from a tourist destination to a research hub supporting scientific work within the national park. This transformation shows how historic sites take on new roles for education and conservation today.