I suggest keeping the truck for towing, as the options you listed simply won't be able to match the towing ability of the 250. The Bronco is a decent choice, I have a friend with 2, one of which has crossed 250k miles recently, but I would not suggest them for towing. The wheelbase is what kills them, and the 351 is a decent, but not especially powerful towing motor.
Also, if you're looking at the Bronco as a wheeler, have you considered that they're roughly the same width as your truck? I'm not sure how this pertains in your area, as I've only spent a week in BC with a little time on a couple logging trails to get to my hike on the WCT (another story for another time), but at least down here, width can be a big factor in trail performance. Most of our trails are designed for jeeps so Broncos and other Full-sizers usually don't make it out without the trail leaving its mark.
As others have said, I suggest just keeping the 250 and using it for exploration in tandem with your toys. Then once the D is over, you can look into something for the smaller trails. It sounds like you're a Ford man, so maybe take a look at the Bronco II? It's basically an enclosed ranger, super cheap, decent mpg, and could be made pretty capable with the right mods. Or you can explore the thousands of other options, either domestic (jeeps, blazers, etc.) or import (pathfinders, Monteros, Troopers). This site will definitely give you some ideas, and guide you in the right direction.