For those vacationers who like to have a quiet vacation in a beautiful Rocky Mountain setting, yet still play a round or two on a world-class golf course, Marble has it all. Of course, Marble has the fishing, canoeing, hiking, four-wheeling, and camping that families love on vacation, but there are several championship golf courses within an hour’s drive of Marble.

The nearest course to Marble is at River Valley Ranch, a Jay Morrish-designed 18-hole course that has won numerous national awards. River Valley Ranch is a short 25-minute drive from Marble along the spectacular Crystal River Valley. Four holes play along the banks of the Crystal River, while others meander throughout the sage brush and pinion pines. The award-winning design features striking bunkers, large greens, elevation changes and water features – all created to take full advantage of the breathtaking mountain and Crystal River Valley views. River Valley Ranch also features a driving range, a pro shop, and a restaurant.

Other public courses include two 9-hole courses, one located 3 miles east of Carbondale at the Ranch at Roaring Fork, a 40-minute drive from Marble, and the other located west of Glenwood Springs in West Glenwood, a 45-minute drive from Marble.

More adventuresome golfers can find challenging courses at Battlement Mesa, an 18-hole public course 1½ hours west of Marble on I-70, and Rifle Creek (970) 625.1093, a very picturesque 18-hole championship course 3 miles north of Rifle, about an hour’s drive from Marble.

Private courses abound in the mountain valleys surrounding Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Aspen Glen, the Roaring Fork Club, the Maroon Creek Club, the Snowmass Club, Ironbridge, and many others are sprinkled throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, and most of the courses are located within an hour’s drive of Marble.