"True Grit" Ranch House

Above, the "Mattie Ross house" from True Grit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first time I was in Ridgway, Colorado was two years ago when a friend and I took a vacation in  southern Colorado that included Durango, Ouray, Ridgway, Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park.

While in the Ridgway area, we took a drive to see if we could find the locations of the Ross family ranch shown in the beginning and end of True Grit (1969). We didn't find it. That's because it was on the spur of the moment and we weren't prepared.

Last week, I headed up to Ridgway for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Half Marathon and 5K, which was to be held at the True Grit location. 

I did some research and found how to get there. Thankfully, the ranch owner is currently having the buildings restored. The ranch house was originally built during the early 20th Century (around 1910).

Here's how to get there (from RidgwayColorado.com):

Please respect the boundaries of this private property but by all means, pull over and snap a few photos! To reach the Ranch, leave Ridgway going West on Hwy 62, and drive over Dallas Divide, which is one of the most photographed locations in Colorado! The left turn on Last Dollar Road (58P), approximately 11 miles from Ridgway, is clearly marked. Stay on this good gravel road for 2.5 miles from the turn off and the ranch will be on the right side of the road. In the winter, the road is not maintained beyond this point.

During the summer months, the dirt road is good enough for even passenger cars. I drove it in my Class C motorhome.