Arizona is home to many quality horseback-riding ranches, also known as dude ranches, that are open year round and are members of the Arizona Dude Ranch Association. The mild climate in the winter can be especially attractive to travelers from a cold and snowy environment. Dude ranches offer plenty of entertainment and activities for everyone and offer a venue for large events such as weddings, reunions, corporate events and retreats.
Located in Tucson, the Tanque Verde Ranch is the largest dude ranch in America with 60,000 acres of desert mountain landscape. In business since 1868, this working horse ranch offers a variety of activities for families, which include horseback-riding adventures, riding lessons, swimming, fishing, hiking, tennis and arts and crafts. The ranch offers 76 comfortable Western-themed guest rooms with desert or mountain views and most include a fireplace and patio. Rates include three meals a day, plus snacks and all activities. Summer season starts May 1 and goes through Sept. 30. The winter season (withhigher rates) runs from Oct. 1 through April 30.
Tanque Verde Ranch Resort
14301 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85748
520-296-6275
tanqueverderanch.com
A 300-year-old hacienda about 65 miles outside of Tucson in Sasabe, Ariz., is the site of the Rancho De La Osa Guest Ranch. Established in 1923 as a dude ranch, the hacienda houses 18 adobe-style guest rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and porches with mountain views. Sasabe boasts 320 days of sunshine a year with clear, and the ranch offers unobstructed star viewing at night. Amenities include plush robes, hair dryer, custom bathroom products, a DVD player and CD player. Activities include horseback riding and lessons, bird watching, hiking or biking, swimming and golf at a nearby course. Rates include all activities plus three meals a day prepared by gourmet chefs. Prices are consistent through the year except for holiday weeks, when a minimum stay is required.
Rancho De La Osa Guest Ranch
1 La Osa Ranch Rd. (P.O .Box 1)
Sasabe, AZ 85633
520-823-4257
ranchodelaosa.com
Located 80 miles southwest of Tucson amid the Dragoon Mountains in Pearce, the Grapevine Canyon Ranch offers 12 freestanding guest rooms for guests ages 12 and older in the form of casitas, which sleep up to five people, and cabins for two. Amenities include a coffee maker, plush robes, hair dryer and a mini-bar with snacks. To enhance the "get-away" experience, no phones or TVs are available except in the lodge building. Horseback-riding excursions, hiking, bird-watching, swimming or just lazing about are some of the daily activities of the ranch. Other activities such as shooting or archery can be purchased separately. At night folks can either retire to their casitas or play games in the lodge's Buffalo room. Rates include all standard activities and meals. Peak season is April to May and again from September to November.
Grapevine Canyon Ranch
1092 West Highland Rd (P.O. Box 302)
Pearce, AZ 85625
520-826-3185
gcranch.com
