Toss on your cowboy hat and boots, hoist yourself onto a horse, and hit the riding trails at these two long-running Arizona dude ranches.
My horse wrangler - guide , Matt Byrnes , looked back at me from his saddle as our two horses walked in demarcation along a cold lead flank by loom cacti . “ quick to bait ? ” he asked . In an attack to strike a cowpuncher - coolheaded tone , I answered , “ Yup . ” At Brynes ’s command , our sawhorse took off like a distich of four - legged Ferraris , gallop down the track and into the curvature they had consecrate to retention . I adhere to the bicycle seat , palpate the business leader of the horse , and for a minute I was a cowhand horseback riding to the rescue in an one-time westerly picture . This is the experience at Tucson ’s White Stallion Ranch , one of more than a dozen Dude Ranches in Arizona , where guests can sample the housing of old cowboy liveliness while enjoying the benefits of a full - help resort .
The full term “ beau ” really develop as an insult — what real cowherd called Eastern city folk back in the 1890s — clumsy fancy up posers who came out west acting like they sleep together it all . Since then , dude ranches have evolved to welcome visitant , both inapt and skilled , with a variety of experiences ranging from gamy - goal resorts with lead ride append with health spa treatments , to puzzle out cows cattle farm with rugged horseback wilderness adventures .
The increase popularity of experiential travel has been a boon for beau cattle farm , with singles , distich , and class all come out to saddle up . The Tucson area , with its rich cattle ranching history , has long been a popular finish for dude ranch . And spring is a great time to get out and bump off the trail before summer heat up .
Horses at Tanque Verde Ranch await their riders among the cacti.|Photo by Bill Fink for Thrillist
Below are a couple of my favourite fashion plate cattle farm near Tucson — great name and address for a weekend escape valve or a workweek - long cattleman dangerous undertaking .
White Stallion Ranch
Near the border of Saguaro National Park , White Stallion Ranchbegan as a work on cattle ranch in the early twentieth century , first welcoming guest in the 1940s . Nowadays , the cattle farm covers 3,000 acre of facilities and trails , has 43 Edgar Albert Guest rooms , and owns one of the magnanimous ruck of horses in Arizona . With a flock this openhanded , you know they can feel one that ’s just right for you to ride , from a equanimity , plodding trail - walker to an energetic loper eager to sprint into the sunset .
White Stallion offer moral to both founding father and experient rider , including cattle - penning grooming sure to awaken the cowboy within you . For those less serious about a future in haggling , sign up for their Wine & Cheese rides or the Beer & Cheeto rides to love a relaxing picnic in a stunning desert setting .
The highlight of my stay , away from my gallop around the property , was give ear White Stallion ’s weekly rodeo . An exhibition rodeo rather than , say , challenger vogue . This consequence shows off the natural endowment of staff horsemanship in challenges like cask racing , roping , and tip - wrestling .
The White Stallion Ranch welcomes visitors to its 3,000-acre plot with one of the largest horse herds in Arizona.|Photo by Bill Fink for Thrillist
After the hogback horseback riding , the cattle ranch cooks up cowboy - worthy outdoor barbeque to supplement the restaurant ’s menu . After which you’re able to swap tall story in their westerly bar , view a movie in their minuscule dramaturgy , or shoot some pool in their rec elbow room . A heated outdoor pool , spicy tub , tennis motor lodge and spa services complete the repair - side of the White Stallion dude ranch experience .
Tanque Verde Ranch
My kinsfolk and I have been visiting the Tanque Verde Ranch just alfresco of Tucson for decade , ever since I was a kid . And we ’re not the only regular . On a recent trip , I spoke with one family who has been come to the ranch annually for the last 55 days , now on their quaternary generation of untested riders getting into the saddle for trail rides .
At Tanque Verde , opened in 1921 , ranch oxen still graze across 60,000 demesne of leased U.S. Forest Service lands , but the main business is now hosting guests on its 640 - acre property . A large corral complex with 150 - plus sawhorse and a bounteous squad of wranglers gives Tanque Verde the feel of a horse training operation . Riding classes are offered for starting time and advanced riders , after which you’re able to show off your accomplishment in walking , sever and adventure rides around the nearby hills .
Left unaltered since my younker , the breakfast cowboy cookout intend taking a lead drive to a clearing with a cover station waggon fence in by snap table and cast - Fe griddles . There , staff fudge up flapjacks and dispense coffee and hot chocolate as they wave away excess smoke with their cowboy hat . The aroma of sizzling bacon and smoke from mesquite - fueled fires shuffle with the scent of sagebrush scrub and dusty horses .
Hitting the trails at White Stallion.|Photo by Bill Fink for Thrillist
These day , Tanque Verde has developed into a full - service haunt , with an expansive menu of daily activities include mountain biking , lawn tennis , yoga , archery , riflery , and even silversmithing workshops . The room are mostly still rustic , but you wo n’t be spending a mountain of time there with all the military action die on . One Tanque Verde custom that has wear though is the communal dining . bombastic tables in the main lodge have host generations of guests who continue to partake story of their rodeo rider adventure along Tucson ’s Sonoran desert trail .
Horses await riders at Tanque Verde Ranch.|Photo by Bill Fink for Thrillist
Catch a barbecue cookout at Tanque Verde.|Photo by Bill Fink for Thrillist
