The 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

Snowy North Mtn
Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Rate Increase

There will be rate increases for 2020. Admission fees are going up and guests will be charged taxes directly. Rate increases will go into effect March 1, 2020. Admission Fees: There is a $2.00 increase on Day Pass Admissions and a $4.00 increase on Overnight Admissions. May through September, a day pass admission is going to be $17.00 per adult. Overnight admission will be $34.00 per adult. October through April,…
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Valley View Closed until Dec 28th
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019

Closed December 1–December 28

Every December the hot springs closes for four weeks. Some people think we get to take it easy during this time. The truth is that we are quite busy. We have projects that can only be done while we are closed. Last year we installed geothermal heat in Oak House, installed new windows in Oak House, replaced the heating elements in the heater that provides heated water to the hot…
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Pavilion Kitchen 2014
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019

Pavilion Kitchen

During the warm months of summer, the Pavilion Kitchen is a spacious place to prepare food, enjoy the company of friends, and clean your dishes. As the weather gets cold, the sink needs to be shut off and the Food Storage Cabin gets used for the healing work of the massage therapists. The Pavilion sinks are turned off during the last week of October. Pots, pans, and utensils are stored…
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Everson Ranch 2002
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019

Ranch Museum Open

At Everson Ranch, we have yet to perfect the time machine, but if you take a walk through the old 1880s side of the ranch, you can still get a vivid glimpse into the past. One of the big projects at the ranch this summer has been the clean-up of the old barn areas. As old boards were moved and tumbleweed were tossed aside, treasures were found strewn across the…
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Mike O'Donal, Ranch Manager
Monday, August 19th, 2019

Goodbye Mike

How much can one man accomplish in 8 years? If there is a limit, nobody told Mike O'Donal. Since being hired by the Orient Land Trust as the manager of Everson Ranch, Mike's list of accomplishments is practically never-ending. But nothing gold can stay. After this summer Mike will be hanging up his boots and retiring from Everson Ranch. When asked what Mike has done on the ranch since being…
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Garbage and Recycling Center
Monday, August 19th, 2019

Garbage

Part of preparing your own food instead of eating at a restaurant or just eating ready to eat foods, is the inevitable food waste. There are discarded peels, rinds, cobs, bits that you cut away, and other remnants of the food preparation process. There are also leftovers. Some of the uneaten food can't be realistically saved. What do you do with food scraps - garbage? When you are home, you…
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Wild Flowers
Monday, August 19th, 2019

Healing Water and Bodywork

The bodywork team at OLT welcomes you and understands that arriving can sometimes be the hardest part. Most visitors are travelling far and wide to rejuvenate in our therapeutic waters. Many come to wash away city traffic and buzz others come to deepen their relationship with nature and some come to cleanse themselves from troubles current and past. The talented group of bodyworkers are here to serve you. Located outside…
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  • 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.

Orient Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust 
dedicated to the preservation of Valley View Hot Springs (VVHS) and its viewshed—
including natural and biologic resources, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, 
open space, and historic and geologic features of the northern San Luis Valley—
for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

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.