Tanque Verde Ranch is nestled among the majestic natural beauty of the Rincon Mountains between Saguaro National Park and the Coronado National Forest just east of Tucson, Arizona.

Comprised of more than sixty thousand acres of unspoiled southwest landscape surrounding plush accommodations, unparalleled amenities, and a diverse menu of daily rides and activities, since 1868, the business has grown steadily to become the largest and most memorable Dude Ranch resort in North America.

Who hasn’t dreamed of saddling up a horse and riding out across the Old West in search of adventure? At Tanque Verde Ranch we have more than one hundred and eighty well trained horses in our Stables, one of which already has your name on it. And with over sixty thousand acres of pristine natural beauty and a variety of riding programs and events to accommodate any level of skill, Tanque Verde Ranch is where dreams of adventure on horseback come to life.

Trail Rides:

Breakfast Ride - An early morning departure is a rousing experience as you follow the trails up into the desert foothills, overlooking the ranch itself at the Old Homestead. Trailside blueberry pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and fresh biscuits await and promise to provide a nourishing start to an adventure-filled day.

Walk Rides - The walk ride is an enjoyable desert experience for all ages and skill levels. The grandeur of the Rincon and Catalina Mountains will awe your senses as you traverse the trail on horseback. Experience nature up-close as you wind through the mountain trails. Enjoy a variety of vegetationand fauna including the giant saguaro cactus, prickly pear cactus, and an occasional roadrunner or deer.

Loping - Gallop through the Tanque Verde Wash, lope the loop and skirt the Tanque Verde Ranch itself. From blue herons perched high overhead, to bobcats peeking out from shady branches and hawks swooping down on prey, a whole new horseback view of desert landscape unfolds. This will be a desert experience to remember for a lifetime.

Prior to a Loping ride, all Tanque Verde Guests take a brief Lope Lesson/Check. Participation in a Lope Ride depends on the successful completion of this test.

Need to Learn to ride:

Lesson Program of Riding Instruction. Instructional rides are strongly recommended for riders of all experience levels. Beginners will focus on the fundamentals of riding. Intermediate riders will explore principles for riding at a more paced gait, and the further development of riding skills. For the advanced rider, loping instruction is a refresher course enabling the rider to enjoy his/her rides at The Ranch to the fullest.

Basic Lesson – Provides the hands-on horse work skills needed for beginning horseback riding. Our wranglers teach the fundamentals which include: proper mounting and dismounting, correct posture while in the saddle, turning and stopping your horse, and walking and trotting in a safe manner. This lesson prepares the rider to enjoy the walk rides with the knowledge of basic horsemanship.

Horsemanship “Fun”damentals - This lesson builds on the skills learned in the Basic Lesson, and will help you develop confidence through balance and a safe “seat”. This lesson expands on reining, movement, and overall control of a horse at a walk or trot. We strongly recommend that you complete this lesson before you saddle up for Intermediate Horsemanship.

Intermediate Horsemanship - Learn to guide your horse around barrels and cones at a walk, at a trot, and at a lope. Typically, this class starts with a review of Western-style reining. It quickly moves into controlling your horse in a synchronized fashion with the other classmates and instructor, and finally progresses into independent control where riders can break from the group and canter the corral. Wranglers provide feedback to correct any inconsistencies in style as well as to assist with posture and control. This class will expand on reining and control of the horse through all gaits. And, when you are ready, provides access to all of the tools needed to pass your lope check. Participation in this class is at your discretion—riders are assisted in riding at their comfort level; at all times, your wrangler/instructor retains complete control of the class and ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Lope Lesson/Check - The highest level of horsemanship class offered at Tanque Verde Ranch, the purpose of this lesson is to check rider safety for lope rides. It is expected that riders be at an advanced level of horsemanship or have completed Horsemanship “Fun”damentals and Intermediate Horsemanship prior to taking this lesson. Riders will be monitored for their ability to safely ride at a lope. Passing this lesson/check is a requirement to participate in a lope ride. Safety and control are of the utmost value. In this lesson, riders will be asked to ride at a lope with little or no prompting. Individual assessments will be offered as needed to assist the rider in making appropriate adjustments in order to pass the lope check and participate safely on TVR lope rides.

Activities: 

Activity is something which there is never a shortage of at Tanque Verde Ranch. Guests are invited to take part in a variety of horseback adventures, hit the trails on a mountain bike; or hike, fish, swim, dance, play, create, and learn through any of our diverse menu of daily programs and activities.

Accommodation: 

Tanque Verde Ranch offers great accommodation, each richly appointed and warmly decorated with southwestern artisanal furnishings. Traditional adobe walls and Santa Fe style architecture perfectly match the beauty and distinction of the natural southwest landscape. All rooms come with full private baths, and most with fireplaces, and expansive views of the desert and mountains.