It’s no secret that Southwestern Arizona is known for its Wild West heritage. However, with its big-name luxury resorts and sprawling cities filled with top-notch restaurants and shopping, sometimes it can be hard to recall a simpler time. Making for a perfect weekend away, these local guest ranches are the ideal way to let loose and get back to Tucson’s roots.
Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch
Luxury is the name of the game at this Tucson guest ranch. Built in 1929, this historic Tucson resort is known for staying true to its roots (it features preserved details such as the same hand-carved, wood-beamed ceilings as it did in 1929) while still paving the way as a luxury destination. Built on 34 acres of natural desert terrain in the Santa Catalina Mountain foothills, Hacienda Del Sol offers private casitas, guest rooms and suites, making for the perfect tranquil getaway. www.haciendadelsol.com.
As a winter season guest ranch offering accommodations from mid-November through the end of April, Elkhorn Ranch offers a comfortable stay (think home cooked meals and private guest cabins) and plenty of activity. Choose from a secluded walk or hike, tennis, swimming, ping pong, shuffleboard and of course, horseback riding. Elkhorn Ranch is about 50 miles southwest of Tucson, nestled in Sabino Canyon at an altitude of 3,700 feet. www.elkhornranch.com.
Grapevine Canyon Ranch
Located in Pearce, AZ, Grapevine Canyon Ranch is an authentic working cattle and guest ranch with a staff of 18 people ready to help you relax and have fun, along with 70 horses and an entire herd of cows. Situated in the Dragoon Mountains, this guest ranch offers horseback riding and lessons for all skill levels, in addition to great sightseeing, shooting and archery and team building activities. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, Grapevine Ranch is the perfect place to be for mouth-watering meals like fried chicken and biscuits and BBQ ribs. www.gcranch.com.
White Stallion Ranch
Conveniently located right next to Saguaro National Park in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains, White Stallion Ranch boasts 3,000 acres of informal guest ranch land. As a working cattle Ranch, you’ll notice the Longhorn cattle coming in for water each day, making for an authentic western stay. White Stallion Ranch is also exceptionally family-friendly with various children’s activities and lessons, but is also great for adult visitors with its scenic mountain horseback rides and comfortable, no-frills setting. www.whitestallion.com.
Sunglow Ranch
Not only does this Pearce, AZ, ranch offer horseback riding, but it also boasts other engaging activities like biking, stargazing, birding and hiking. With its serene private lake, Sunglow Ranch is a fantastic place to view wildlife in its natural habitat. In addition to housing vacationers, Sunglow Ranch is also a popular spot for yoga workshops, corporate meetings and various workshops like those on cooking, writing and photography. www.sunglowranch.com.
