Hiking is a great way to exercise, enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors and observe wildlife. It can also refresh one’s mind, body and spirit. Resorts in Arizona have acres of trails throughout the state’s deserts, mountains and plateaus. Many of the resorts include hiking as part of their room rate and offer guided tours for every skill level.
Sunglow Ranch in Pearce, Arizona is a 475-acre ranch that offers hiking on marked trails. It is also adjacent to 200,000 acres of the Coronado National Forest that offers hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The ranch is 12 miles from Chricahua National Monument. One to four-room accommodations are available. Two rooms are available for guests with pets. A two-night stay is required. Accommodations include breakfast, dinner and afternoon refreshments. Lunch can be purchased at the Sunglow Café. A hot tub, fitness room, fire pit and seasonally heated swimming pool are available. Guests have access to mountain bikes, canoes, fishing poles, a bocce court and horseshoe court. Horseback riding, horse-drawn carriage rides, spa treatments and cooking classes are provided for an additional cost. Wireless Internet is available throughout the ranch.
Tanque Verde Ranch Resort in Tucson is located between Saguaro National Park and the Coronado National Forest in the Rincon Mountains. The ranch sits on 60,000 acres of land and, according to their website, is the largest dude ranch resort in North America. The ranch offers guided hiking ranging in length and difficulty. Six hundred acres of the Sonoran desert can be toured by mountain bike. One hundred and eighty horses are available for trail riding or riding lessons. Tennis courts, a catch and release fishing lake, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools are available to all guests. Seventy-six rooms and suites are available. Room rates include all activities and three daily meals and snacks.
The Rancho De La Osa Guest Ranch at the base of the Baboquivari Mountains in Sasabe, Arizona offers guided and self-guided hiking tours. Guests can choose hikes that last one to six hours. Guests can also travel 30 minutes from the ranch and enjoy hiking at Brown Canyon or Arivaca Creek. Horseback riding is also available on 135,000 acres of trails. Room rates include scheduled meals, which are served in the dining room or outdoors. Eighteen adobe guest rooms, a swimming pool and hot tub are available. According to the ranch’s website, famous guests that have visited include Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, John Wayne and Joan Crawford.
The Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort was named a top inn by Zagat Survey, Sunset Magazine and Travel & Leisure. The 34-acre ranch in Tuscon offers hiking up the Finger Rock Canyon as well as less rugged trails. Horseback riding and spa treatments are also available. Guests can choose from 30 guest rooms, suites and private casitas which all have free wireless high-speed Internet, a refrigerator and snacks. Other amenities include a swimming pool and hot tub. Meals can be enjoyed at The Grill or Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge both located on site. Cocktails and jazz music are offered each night in the Joesler Room.
