Orient Land Trust is a non-profit land trust created around Valley View Hot Springs, its unique culture and environment.

With the Orient Mine and Everson Ranch, we now protect 2,200 acres, its wildlife corridor, pristine spring waters, hiking trails, rustic cabins, and camping. Visitors of all ages and walks of life enjoy free educational programs, clothing-optional naturist open space, geothermal warmth, hydroelectric energy, and Colorado's largest bat colony.  Read more...

Guidelines Rates and Reservations Bat Tours

Overlooking the San Luis Valley
Thursday, June 14th, 2018

Ranching in the San Luis Valley

The problem with holistic management is it's so profoundly simple, but it's not easy. And it's profoundly simple. You're almost insulting people's intelligence to explain it twice, just about making better decisions of where you want to go in your life, bringing in environmental, social, economic issues simultaneously.- Allan Savory There's no denying the negative impacts our current agricultural systems are creating on our environment. Land degradation, loss of natural…
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Breakfast served at Member's Weekend 2014
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Members Appreciation Weekend: Jun 22-23

Member Appreciation Weekend is June 22 and June 23. This is earlier than the past couple of years. It will come up quickly so make your plans now. This weekend is for members only, no non-member guests will be admitted. We will waive the capacity limits for this weekend so all members are welcome. For those of you who haven't attended a member appreciation weekend, be aware that there will…
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Hayden Pass Wildfire 2016
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Fire Ban

The Saguache County Sheriff's Department has all of eastern Saguache County under a fire ban. No campfires anywhere, including the usual evening fire at the Pavilion. Also being enforced is the no smoking outside stipulation. As usual, smoking is allowed only inside your vehicle or at the Smoke Hut. In late April, there was a grass wildfire along County Road GG. Luckily, the wind was mild that day and the…
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Garden Volunteers, Brian, Dru and Brook
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Springing Ahead at the Everson Ranch

"The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946. That is not very long ago. Until then, where was all the food? Dear folks, the food was in homes, gardens, local fields, and forests. It was near kitchens, near tables, near bedsides. It was in the pantry, the cellar, the backyard."― Joel Salatin, Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better…
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Bird Workshop Flyer
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Bird Watching Workshops Scheduled for May!

Orient Land Trust has an abundant bird population arriving this month! For those of you who get up early, you may have heard the cacophony of bird song which occurs every year starting in late May. If you've seen the photos at the welcome center and have wondered just how and where they were taken, now is your chance to explore the property with photographer and birdwatcher, Dr. Daniel Flemming.…
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Volunteers helping with weed pull 2017
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018

Conservation Committee Hosts 2018 Weed Pull

A group of OLT volunteers will gather on June 5th and 6th and unite against a common enemy: invasive weeds. A group of about 12 folks will spend 2 days focusing on a few of the most abundant offenders at Valley View Hot Springs. The weed-pull is organized by the OLT Conservation Committee (CC) and CC members Geneva Mixon, David Mixon, Steve Saban and Matt Johnson will join volunteers from…
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Volunteers helping with weed pull 2017
Sunday, April 8th, 2018

Save the Date: Annual Weed Pull: Jun 5-6

Every year our Conservation Committee organizes a two day event to help eliminate noxious weeds on OLT property. The weeds we target are on the Colorado Noxious Weeds list. Noxious weeds are "non-native invasive plants that displace desirable vegetation and degrade natural and agricultural lands." They threaten our drinking water supply, agricultural crops, pasture lands and native habitats. It's a fun group event that really helps us keep this special…
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Apr
20

Sat 4/20/24 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Jul
20

Sat 7/20/24 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • Naturism by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersHistory of Naturism at OLT
  • Words of Wisdom by Neil & Terry Seitz, FoundersSharing experience and wisdom that helped sustain this special place through the decades.

For the education, enjoyment, and well-being of current and future generations, Orient Land Trust: 
promotes a positive clothing-optional experience at all properties including Valley View Hot Springs, Orient Mine and Everson Ranch;
preserves the viewshed, including land acquisition; 
protects natural, wild, agricultural, and historic resources, in the northern San Luis Valley.

Values

  • Dedication to inclusiveness and the public good
  • Accountability to a diverse public community and maintaining their trust
  • Social and environmental justice beyond mandates
  • Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals and nature
  • Embracing naturism through practice and education
  • Modeling collaborative pluralism, transparency, integrity and honesty
  • Pledging excellence and responsibility in stewarding resources
  • Encouraging lifelong learning

Goals

  • Visitor Space Protection and Management: Maintain and protect Valley View Hot Springs as an affordable, peaceful and family-friendly clothing-optional recreational facility that enhances the visitor experience year round.
  • Conservation and Preservation: Follow the highest possible standards for land preservation, agricultural practices, and energy and water conservation.
  • Research and Education: Facilitate scientific research around OLT resources, and promote educational programs and activities suitable for adults and children.
  • Staff Development and Community Relations: Maintain OLT as a responsible citizen of the San Luis Valley.