Horseback Riding Vacations in Arizona

Arizona: “The Grand Canyon State”

Arizona is a state located in the southern border of the United States.

Colonized by the Spanish, it became part of Mexico in 1821, when Mexico gained independence from Spain. In 1848, part of Arizona came under U.S. control. And on February 14, 1912 it became the 48th state of the United States.

Known as “The Grand Canyon State", Arizona is one of the most popular natural tourist attractions in the United States and the world.

Geographically, it stands out for its desert landscape and its spectacular topography.

High mountains and plateaus cover more than half of the state and in the north, we can find the Grand Canyon, which was carved, over millions of years, as the Colorado River cut down through the Colorado Plateau.

It has a varied climate, although much of the state is considered desert with mild winters and extremely hot summers.

The plant life of Arizona is as varied as its topography and climate. Vegetation consists of saguaro cacti (whose blossom is Arizona’s state flower), prickly pears and yucca, among others. However, in the mountains and forests, we can find the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine trees in the world.

Arizona's wildlife is also varied. Animal that live in the desert include lizards and snakes, and in the northern mountains, we can see deer, bighorn sheep and pronghorn. There are also pumas, jaguars, coyotes and bears.

Arizona is also known for having one of the best-preserved meteorite impact crater in the world. Barringer Meteor Crater is nearly a mile (1.6 km) wide and 570 feet (170 m) deep.

Its capital is the cosmopolitan city of Phoenix, the third largest city in the U.S.

Feel like a real Cowboy in Arizona

To ride across desert trails, to visit the Colorado River throughout the Grand Canyon, the heart of this legendary land of men and horses, or just to spend a few days in the Ranch is the way to submerge yourself into the American spirit for a few days.

In Arizona, horses play a key role, the popular Southern American Cowboy lives here and you are invited to spend a few days with him.

This region is known as the “Far West” and we have seen it in thousands of movies.

Arizona is home to Grand Canyon National Park and it has the largest number of Indian reservations in the United States.

Located in southern Arizona, one of the Old West’s most famous towns is Tombstone, an authentic Western city that still offers tours by stagecoach and where you can see people in nineteenth-century cowboy gear.

There are many guest ranches scattered about the whole state, mainly in the southern region and especially near Phoenix and Tucson. All of them offer different riding opportunities for every level of expertise and a wide variety of activities that are not related to horse riding, perfect for families.

In Arizona, summers can be very hot, from June to August. And that’s why we recommend that the best time for your ranch vacations is from September to May.

A never-ending adventure is waiting for you in Arizona, a perfect place to enjoy life outdoors. With so many experiences and landscapes to discover, you can certainly not do everything in one single trip.

Horse riding holiday proposals in Arizona

We have selected the following options with local equestrian tourism agents for you.

White Stallion Ranch

Located between Phoenix and Tucson, this charming dude ranch is run by the True family and it has been their home for over 55 years.

At the foot of rugged Tucson Mountains, bordering Saguaro National Park, the hospitality of the ranch is perfectly combined with the amenities of a first-class resort.

In White Stallion Ranch, you will find 3,000 acres of open land at the foot of Tucson Mountains.

Miles of breathtaking trails await you to enjoy on horseback and trekking, with the opportunity to explore the one-of-a-kind Sonoran desert in the Old West.

The ranch has been recently renovated, with special attention to details. Its comfortable style and cosy atmosphere will make you feel at home.

They have one of the largest private herds of horses in Arizona and an important number of cattle.

Their riding options

If you are looking for Horseback Riding Vacations to Arizona, they will offer you different routes. Offers riding programs for riders of all ability levels.

Children 8 years and older may qualify for the fast rides, mountain rides and all day rides. Children between 5 and 8 years will enjoy the slow rides. For children under 5 we will schedule a short lead around horseback with an accompanying parent.

Mountain trail rides:

• You can choose one of its three horseback routes with exciting mountain rides, where you can enjoy the most stunning panoramic views.
• The best way to explore the rugged Tucson Mountains, through exciting and beautiful, steep and rocky trails that will take you to the top of the surrounding mountains.

Slow rides:

• This ride is perfect for the “first-time” rider and for those who prefer to soak up the sun and the scenery.
• This is the best way to see the desert flora and fauna and experience the ecosystem of the Sonoran desert. You’ll ride all week and never use the same trail twice.

All day rides:

• This ride is a combination of loping and walking, you’ll be making contact with your saddle for almost 8 hours while covering 30 – 40 kilometres. Traveling through rugged canyons and seeing Native American petroglyphs.
• Lunch is served on the trail at a ramada in Saguaro National Park West. There’s a bathroom break and plenty of water for the horses while you lunch.

And it has more routes on horseback, don’t hesitate to contact them before choosing the destination for your next horse riding holidays: www.whitestallion.com.

Arizona Hacienda Ranch

Situated in the high Sonoran Desert and with access to over 120,000 acres of trails, the ranch offers unique and exciting rides.

This is a 300 year old ranch and one of the last great haciendas in America. It was established as a guest ranch in 1924, and its history remains intact.

The ranch offers a variety of activities, including beautiful trail rides for all abilities, cattle work, farming activities and different trails for nature walks or hiking nearby.

Their riding options

Here you will go riding in the high Sonoran desert and have access to almost 500 km² of trails.

One day you could find yourself riding over rocky uplands and across grassland desert rounding up cattle. The next day out riding a mountain trail, perhaps packing a breakfast for everyone or a lunch that you will enjoy with the men that run this ranch.

The ranch offers 2 scheduled horseback rides per day, each approximately two hours in duration.

Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced rider, there is a horse and ride suited to your ability at the ranch.

For more information: www.farandride.com/riding-holidays/usa/arizona_hacienda_ranch/.

Rancho de Los Caballeros

Founded in 1948, Wickenburg’s Rancho de los Caballeros was a family-owned-and-operated ranch resort spanning 20,000 acres across the High Sonoran Desert.

As long-time past guests themselves, the new owners invite you to experience the ranches' legacy in a refreshing new way.

The ranch offers complete services and privacy, but with the charm and the intimacy of the old days. This is the kind of place where everybody knows your name and remembers your favourite horse.

Thanks to the pleasant treatment from its staff, don’t be surprised if you start to feel at home!

Their riding options

All levels of riding skills have their own specific program and are welcome here, from beginners to experienced riders, each guest receives a personal treatment and finds a perfect companion for the road among over 100 horses of the ranch.

Discover on horseback the rugged trails, and over 80 km² of hills, open spaces and the blooming beauty of the Sonoran desert, a destination where you can go horse riding the whole week and never use the same trail twice.

Rides for children are also available, through the program Caballeros Kids and there are also outdoor family rides where you make new friends every day.

For more information enter the web: www.ranchodeloscaballeros.com.

Tombstone Monument Ranch

This 1880 working cattle guest ranch is located 5 km from Tombstone, in Cochise County.

It is surrounded by spectacular scenery together with an endless history of famous cowboys, Apache Indians and silver mining. Be a part of history, walk in the same places where they walked, ride where they rode.

You can ride your horse around ancient Indian petroglyphs, old railroad tracks, historic mines and hand dug wells.

Activities in their horse riding holidays

They offer riding programs for riders of all levels, from learning to ride in very practical riding classes to fast guided gallops, perfecting the rider's technique.

All your rides will be guided by a Wrangler, a well experienced rider with the kindness and treatment that are typical of this southern region of the United States.

Other activities include cattle work (for guests to participate in), hiking, Western style shooting and archery.

And if you are looking to relax, you can enjoy the peace, quiet, and beautiful Arizona sun at your instalations.

For more information enter the web: www.tombstonemonumentranch.com.

Tanque Verde Ranch

Located next to Tucson’s border, in southern Arizona, this four-star ranch is a resort that offers great family and horseback riding holidays, with a wide range of equestrian activities for all abilities.

They offer an abundance of activities for all ages, whether you’re seeking to explore the desert and mountains on horseback, by bike or on foot. They also have several tennis and basketball courts for guests to take advantage of.

Guided walks offer the opportunity to see and learn about the plants and animals of the Sonoran desert, and for those naturalist adventurers the ranch offers special programs that allow guests to see some desert animals close up.

Equestrian Activities

Beginners and green riders can go for walk rides, and more experienced riders will be grouped for longer rides, where they can enjoy the company of the horse they were given.

There are morning and sunset rides available, as well as some full-day rides.

There are riding lessons with professional instructors for both beginners and more experienced riders. There are activities for children, ages 4-12, within a daily kids program, and a riding program especially developed for them.

You can also enjoy the whirlpool and the sauna, the ultimate way to relax after a tiring day on horseback.

For more information enter the web: www.tanqueverderanch.com.

Arizona offers never-ending adventures in the Old West, incredible scenery in the Sonoran desert, by the Tucson River or in Saguaro National Park, so as to feel like a real cowboy in your horseback riding vacations in Arizona.

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.