Live the life of a Cowboy on a working ranch in 15,000 acres of the most stunning ranch land. Guests participate in an authentic Western lifestyle experience, joining real cowboys as they complete ranch chores - and at the end of the day you will return to your luxurious guest accommodation!  Enjoy staying at this Arizona  Ranch living the life of a cowboy!

Welcome to rancher country, where generations of pioneering families worked and preserved the land. Today, this ranch land is surrounded by 500,000 acres of national forest and wilderness. Marked by a diversity of wildlife, flowers and trees, and a replenishing spring that sustains an intertwined ecosystem, this vast terrain offers expansive views south past Limestone Mountain and deep into Old Mexico. The Ranch is a working cattle ranch with luxurious guest accommodation tucked away on nearly 15,000 acres of ranch land.

Guests participate in an authentic Western lifestyle experience, joining real cowboys as they complete ranch chores. The work changes with the seasons, from branding and weaning cattle to moving cattle up to summer pasture. Regular ranch chores include patrolling the ranch boundaries, checking the water lines, mending fences and checking the cattle.

Generally there are two working rides a day, each about two to three hours long.  Occasionally, there may be one long ride instead - depending on work schedules.  The trails range from grassy meadows to more challenging terrain.  As Sunday is a “day of rest”, there is only one morning ride to give the horses and cowboys a break.  As always, safety comes first, so all riding is contingent upon weather and conditions.   If riding is not possible for any reason,  the cowboys will substitute the ride for arena sports such as barrel racing, pole bending, team penning and cattle sorting.

Whilst at the ranch, it is up to you how much or how little you join in with the ranch chores.  You are not required to work during your stay. You may ride, relax and enjoy the horse you are on and the beautiful scenery. No matter your riding skill level, you will have an orientation course on the first day if you plan to ride. If necessary some additional instruction may be needed.  Whether you are an experienced rider or a novice, the ranch hands will make sure you and your horse are working well together before you hit the trails.

There are 10 newly renovated, comfortable and private guest suites, each with its own sitting area, CD player and refrigerator. In keeping with the escape, there are no telephones or televisions in the rooms.  However, these are available in the main lodge if required. 

You will also have all your meals in a family style get together.  Each meal is prepared from scratch in the ranch kitchen and the meals are always great occasions, filled with laughter about the days events.  Afterwards, you may enjoy sitting around the billiard table or a roaring fire - or perhaps on the front porch playing a game of horseshoes.  Maybe you will go for a ride in a canoe or soak up the evening sun in the hot tub after the hard day's horseback riding.

You can also experience unsupervised hiking with endless trails close to the ranch lodge.

If you enjoy the thought of taking part in a cattle drive, they tend to take place in the first week of every month (although the dates are occasionally changed and the ranch cannot guarantee you a drive).

The Ranch facilities have been completely renovated.  Your stay includes three meals per day, served family style and is all prepared from scratch in our ranch kitchen. Special diet considerations must be addressed before you arrive, please advise the management when booking, in case our chef is unable to meet them. Coffee, tea, and lemonade are served with each meal. Guests may bring alcohol (as we do not have a liquor license), mixers and soft drinks. Each room is furnished with a refrigerator for our guest’s convenience.  Ice is available.

Our guest rooms contain a king, queen or full size beds. Each room has a private bath. If more than one bed per room is needed, we do have rollaways to accommodate. To complement our atmosphere, there are no telephones or televisions in any of our rooms; however, each room contains a stereo with a CD player for your personal enjoyment.  Satellite TV, CD player, stereo and phone service is provided in our Lodge.

In keeping with the escape from the everyday, there are no telephones or televisions in our guest rooms. Satellite television and phone service are provided in our Lodge. We request you bring calling cards for all long distance calls. Cell service is spotty, at best, depending on your carrier.  Verizon seems to be the only service that will work.

For the guest’s safety, we require all riders to wear pull on cowboy boots with at least 1-1/4 inch heels. Lace-up boots, hiking boots and tennis shoes are not permitted for horseback riding. Western style hats with stampede strings are suggested, unless you require a riding helmet, which are available. We do have loaner boots and hats, but are limited in size selection. Long sleeve shirts, denim jeans and leather gloves are recommended.  Also, be sure to bring a sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF, due to the high altitude and Arizona sun.

We are a horseback oriented cattle ranch. We check cattle, inspect water sources, mend fence and patrol our boundaries on a regular basis. We have two rides per day, (except Sundays) each approximately 2-3 hours, or one long ride in lieu of the 2 rides, depending on our work schedule.  As Sunday is a “day of rest”, we have only one morning ride, to give the horses and cowboys a break.  Since we do stress safety first, all riding is contingent upon weather and conditions, at our discretion.   We will substitute arena sports, such as barrel racing, pole bending, team penning and cattle sorting, for a ride. 

You are not required to work while you are here. You may ride, relax and enjoy the horse you are on and the beautiful scenery. Head to tail riding is discouraged unless the terrain dictates.  

Children under 12 years old are not accepted.  Children of 12 years of age or over must be supervised at all times by their parents or legal guardian.  This ranch is an operating cattle ranch and they do not have any children’s programs.  Due to the nature of the riding program, the rugged terrain and the safety of the horses and the guests, there is a riding weight limit of 240 pounds.