A stay at White Stallion Ranch is everything a dude ranch should be.
Long horse rides on desert trails, hearty home-cooked cowboy grub, and roasting s’mores over an open fire.
What was surprising, however, was that there was so much more to the ranch than just that.
It is easy to see why White Stallion Ranch was voted the #1 Best Family Resort by USA Today in 2018. This has easily become one of our favorite family vacations.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to stay at an Arizona dude ranch, take a seat and relax (and grab an ice-cold Diet Coke while you’re at it) because I’m here to share every last detail!
*Updated August 2023
What It’s Like To Stay At An Arizona Dude Ranch
Table of Contents
- White Stallion Ranch Activities
- White Stallion Ranch Amenities
- White Stallion Ranch Dining
- White Stallion Ranch Accommodations
- The Cost
White Stallion Ranch Activities
It is sometimes challenging to find a family vacation that will appeal to the ages of all of your kids.
What we love about White Stallion Ranch is that they offer such a wide variety of activities that are sure to appeal to all ages.
These activities include various horseback trail rides, team penning, cattle sorting, rock climbing, target shooting, E-bikes, hikes, and a rodeo.
At noon they will post the sign-up sheets for all activities on the following day. Space is limited and is based on first-come-first-serve.
Horseback Riding
White Stallion Ranch is a working cattle ranch. Along with the cattle, there are over 175 horses on the property. In fact, this is the largest private herd of horses in all of Arizona.
What impressed me, is that most of the wranglers know the name of every single horse. These horses are well-loved and well cared for.
I grew up around horses, I come from a long line of ranchers. Being around horses has given me a healthy fear of these powerful animals and I am often a little skittish around them.
However, the horses at White Stallion Ranch are so mild and gentle, there was not a single moment where I felt nervous.
I was completely at ease letting my kids ride the horses knowing that they were in good hands.
Kids as young as 5 can participate in slow rides. For fast rides, kids must be at least 8 years old and pass a simple riding test.
One thing we loved is that each guest is carefully matched up with a horse that will be theirs to ride for the duration of their stay. The match is determined by the guest’s height, weight, and experience.
My boys especially loved having their “own” horse and were in tears when it was time to say goodbye.
There is a bucket of horse treats in the lodge for guests to feed the horses in the corral. It was a favorite pastime to visit the horses in one of the two main pastures to feed them treats.
A variety of rides are offered each day, except Sunday when the horses get a rest. You can participate in any of the rides you would like, but space is limited and it is on a first come first serve basis.
When the time comes for your ride, they will have your horse all saddled up and ready to go!
Rides include slow rides, fast rides, all-day rides, half-day rides, and mountain rides. The slow rides take you around the outskirts of the ranch where you can get a taste of the beauty of the Sonoran desert.
The horses are so well trained and follow along in a single file line without needing much direction. The slow rides are perfect for younger kids and beginner riders.
The fast rides are for anyone 8 years and older. Each participant is required to take a basic riding test to see if they are comfortable controlling the horse.
It is not difficult but is necessary. You don’t want to get out on the trail without being prepared.
The fast ride includes intervals of loping where you’ll feel like a real cowboy or cowgirl in the wild west! We did a sunset fast ride and it was unforgettable!
Lessons are also available for a reasonable charge. The money goes directly to the wrangler and is a great way for them to earn a little extra well-deserved cash.
In addition to the rides, guests over 8 years old can also participate in competitive Team Penning. They also offer a more mellow cattle sorting for guests 5 years and older.
My boys loved participating in this activity. The wrangler gives instructions as to what particular cow needs to be moved into the pen and it is the rider’s responsibility to herd them in the corral.
It is a timed event, but just for fun without pressure. It was a great learning experience and helped them gain confidence in controlling their horse.
Rock Climbing
In addition to horseback riding, our favorite activity was rock climbing. We’re not talking like a rock climbing wall you’ll find in the gym. No, this is the real deal.
We were so impressed with Wade and how he has set up the whole program.
What makes this experience unique is that White Stallion Ranch is the only facility that offers rock climbing of this nature on private land (aside from a private location in the Mohonk mountains, but access is limited).
Wade has an ambitious vision and I can’t wait to see this program grow even more over the years.
He spends months mapping the course, chiseling holds and calculating rope placement. As of date, he has installed 45 lines and has plans to expand even more.
The climbs range from a beginner 30-foot course up to a more advanced 70-foot line.
He is currently working on a staggering 200-foot climb that will be an amazing feat to conquer!
Wade is an expert in his field, he works with only the best equipment like marine grade steel bolts.
He offers such great insight into climbing techniques that allowed my boys to scale up volcanic rock walls that they thought would be impossible!
Wade’s love for the sport is contagious. It is clear that his only goal is to help guests of all ages gain a love and appreciation for rock climbing.
With rock climbing earning a spot as an event in the 2020 Olympics, now is the time to test your skills!
Not only is rock climbing a rewarding challenge, but the undeniable beauty of the surrounding desert is worth mentioning.
White Stallion Ranch is situated at the base of the Tucson mountain range, bordering the Saguaro National Park in the heart of the Sonoran desert.
There is a two-mile shared fence between the ranch and Saguaro National Park, making it the longest continual shared border with any national park in the US.
The beauty of this ranch has even caught the attention of Hollywood.
Over the years, there have been 29 different movies that have filmed scenes at White Stallion Ranch, including George Clooney’s Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
What makes this area so unique is that saguaro cactus dot the landscape as far as the eye can see.
The Sonoran desert is also considered one of the wettest deserts in North America.
Grass can actually be seen carpeting the desert floor after a particularly wet season.
The aromatic creosote bushes emit the most delicious smell after a rainstorm.
If you want to experience it for yourself, clip a sprig of leaves and put it in the shower and you’ll be immediately transported to a desert rainstorm.
Target Shooting
My boys thought they had died and gone to cowboy heaven when they found out that White Stallion Ranch offers target shooting.
I won’t lie, I was a little nervous to have my young boys handling a loaded firearm.
Thankfully, the staff were so good about teaching them gun safety and awareness.
They were always right there with them and I felt confident with my boys under their supervision.
The shooting range consists of a variety of targets. My boys’ favorite was having a shootout between the two of them to see who could hit the most targets.
Fat Tire Electric Bikes
The fat tire E-bikes are a recent addition to White Stallion Ranch. This alternative transportation is a fun and unique way to explore the back roads of the ranch.
There is a minimum age requirement of 8 years old and the recommended height is 5’3″. The E-bikes are a bit heavier than a normal bike and can be challenging for kids to maneuver.
I would recommend meeting with the guide prior to the tour to make sure your child is comfortable and confident riding the bike.
Evening Entertainment
Each evening (except Sundays), a different activity is planned at White Stallion Ranch.
They offer an impressive variety of performances and educational events.
Performers include the likes of nationally acclaimed trick roper and gun slinger, Loop Rawlins. A local celebrity that has appeared on America’s Got Talent and performed with Cirque de Soleil.
Other evening activities include stargazing with an astronomer, a moonlight bonfire and cowboy sing-a-long, a painting class with a local artist, guest historians, a country line dance class and many more.
Our favorite evening entertainment was the Critters night.
The host brought in all sorts of local and exotic animals and creepy crawlers.
He was highly entertaining with his one-liners that kept the adults laughing.
There were also plenty of squeals as he let the audience come up and hold tarantulas and snakes. The cuddly chinchilla was my favorite!
Rodeo
Wednesday evenings are designated as rodeo nights.
The patriotic event celebrates the history of American rodeos with demonstrations and traditional rodeo events, like barrel racing, bull dogging, and team roping.
White Stallion Ranch Amenities
White Stallion Ranch is the perfect blend of a traditional dude ranch with the service and amenities of a luxury resort.
Attention is in every detail to ensure that each guest has an unforgettable experience. Not to mention, the staff are phenomenal. We felt like family in no time at all!
When you arrive, you’ll check in at the lodge. They gave each of my boys a little flashlight to use while walking around at night and they thought it was the coolest thing ever!
The lodge is also the main hub where guests can relax and mingle.
The lodge offers games, puzzles, a library, and a pool table. Kids must be accompanied by adults in this pool room. But don’t worry, the kids have their own place to hang out!
Couches and chairs are situated around the fireplace where you can read the newspaper or play a game of chess.
You’ll also find the bar with fun saddle stools. Drinks and sodas are available, but keep in mind these are not included in the all-inclusive package.
Social hour is held here every evening at 6:00 with snacks and appetizers.
The oversized picture windows look out onto the patio surrounded by towering saguaro and native desert plants.
The patio seating features small fire rings in the center of each of the tables that create a sophisticated and cozy ambiance.
Fun fact, the cactus you see pictured behind the tables are showing the progressive growth of a saguaro cactus.
The first cactus on the far right has a signposting its age at 25 years old. Each cactus has a different age up until the last cactus at an impressive 135 years old.
The dining hall is adjacent to the lodge. The warm and welcoming space invites guests to pull up a seat and chow down.
You’ll quickly discover that the ranch is a community. As guests gather to eat at the same time, the conversations flow easily and you’ll soon become friends.
My boys quickly made friends with the other boys that were staying and were soon as thick as thieves.
Of interest, on one of the walls in the serving area, you’ll find exposed adobe brick from the original homestead in the early 1900s.
When the weather permits, take your plate outdoors and eat under the cafe lights and starry skies.
BBQ spits and open fireplaces are also located on the patio for outdoor BBQ nights on warm summer evenings.
Other amenities include an outdoor heated pool. The water is heated to a comfortable 80 degrees.
Even when we hit a cold spell during our stay in March, my boys didn’t hesitate to hop in the warm pool.
There is a small bathhouse next to the pool that houses a rustic redwood hot tub. Relaxing in the steaming water after a full day of activities on the ranch was my favorite way to unwind.
Adults will also enjoy the Serenity patio with chaise lounges, a fitness center, and spa services.
Meanwhile, the kids will want to spend all their free time in the recreation room.
The rec room is fully stocked with a pool table, ping pong table, board games, air hockey, arcade game, and even a movie theater room.
You’ll find classic Western movies, along with other favorites. We brought our own DVDs to watch as well. The kids were in heaven having their own little movie theater!
There are also basketball and tennis courts, a playground set, a horseshoe pit, and even a petting zoo located outside of the rec room.
The Gift Shop is located next to the pool and is open from 9 am-2 pm on most days. You’ll find unique gifts and local artisan treasures.
Be sure to pick up some prickly pear chocolate, prickly pear candy, or prickly pear soap to take home to share with friends!
The scorpion suckers were a hit with my boys! First-time guests can also get a complimentary souvenir pin at the counter.
Another great souvenir is a real genuine horseshoe. If you ask one of the wranglers, they’ll show you where you can find a box of used horseshoes to pick from.
White Stallion Ranch Dining
I have to say, the food just might have been my favorite part. Every dish we ate was phenomenal! The all-inclusive package includes three meals a day.
We’re talking down-home cooking, the kind that sticks to your ribs. Listen for the echo of the dinner bell, then drop what you’re doing and come running!
Breakfast consists of a traditional buffet offering muffins, pastries, yogurt, and cereal.
In addition, there is also a cooked-to-order menu with mouthwatering favorites like blueberry pancakes, french toast, berry and cream waffles, omelets, and a daily special.
The smothered breakfast burrito and french toast were our favorites.
Lunch is a full spread that includes a daily special with complimenting sides, a salad bar, a sandwich bar, fruit, veggies, and baked goodies for dessert.
The homestyle dinner offers two main dishes to choose from, as well as a wide array of side dishes. The BBQ meat and homemade mac & cheese were our favorites.
Make sure you save room for the decadent dessert served every evening!
In addition, an evening social hour offers snacks and appetizers. Snacks are also kept out at the bar and the dining room if you get the munchies.
In the dining room, you’ll also find hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and lemonade on tap all day.
If you have dietary restrictions, let them know and the chef is wonderful at accommodating individual needs.
Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons you’re in for a treat! Every Saturday morning (weather permitting), guests can ride their horses to the designated cookout site.
The scenic picnic area lies in the shadows of Panther Peak surrounded by the unspoiled beauty of the desert.
Here you’ll find a hot sizzling cowboy breakfast waiting for you.
Wednesday afternoons you can take a hayride out to the same location for a Mesquite fire cookout. The peach cobbler was divine!
White Stallion Ranch Accommodations
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when it came to the accommodations. When I think “dude ranch”, I think dusty, dated, and plaid.
Thankfully, accommodations at White Stallion Ranch are anything but that!
There are 43 guest rooms available, with different sizes and bed arrangements to meet the needs of each guest.
We stayed in the Deluxe King Twin room. It conveniently adjoins a second King Twin room that worked perfectly when my husband and two older kids could join us later in the week.
Each guest room is tastefully decorated in a warm and rustic Southwest theme, while coupled with modern comfort and convenience.
The rooms are impeccably clean and I appreciated the attention to detail.
The beds were so comfortable and the heavy wooden shutters blocked out even the slightest stream of light, so we slept like babies!
As a mom, I appreciated that the rooms do not have TVs and the wi-fi is spotty. It enables you to truly be unplugged while at the ranch.
Our days were filled with outdoor activities and the evenings were filled with card games and reading.
If you do need access to reliable internet, there is a business room with a computer available for your use. It is located next to the rec room.
We found that the Wi-Fi connection was also strongest in the rec room.
Each room comes with a private patio, some of the guest rooms are also outfitted with an outdoor gas fireplace.
If you book a room with an outdoor fireplace, be sure to bring roasting sticks and ingredients for s’mores. It was one of our favorite evening activities.
Another unexpected touch is just how beautiful the grounds are kept.
As you walk through the ranch, you’ll feel as if you’re following a path through a desert botanic garden.
There is a wide array of native plant species, each of which is labeled with a marker. It is truly impressive and adds an air of refinement to the ranch.
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The Cost
I’ll be honest, as much as I’ve been wanting to take our family to a dude ranch, the cost has been the biggest deterrent.
However, after experiencing our stay at White Stallion Ranch, I am convinced that you truly do get the most value for your money.
Reservations for 4 nights (6 nights during spring break and holidays) qualify you for the Outdoor Adventure package where all the extra activities, in addition to the horseback riding, are included at no extra charge.
Meals and snacks are included, and need I remind you that these are hearty home-cooked meals, and not just the Taco Bell drive-thru!
Rates vary depending on the season, what room you book, and what package you get. Be sure to check the website for specials and discounted rates during the off-season.
The Cactus Kids Family Special is a great option for an affordable summer vacation
When you break down the cost of what you spend on a typical family vacation for lodging, activities, food, and entertainment, it is very comparable.
For budget reasons, it is nice to know the exact amount upfront.
There are no hidden fees, no spontaneous trips to get a treat, or kids begging to buy a toy or do an extra activity like on other trips.
You can show up and not even pull your wallet out of your pocket for the entire week!
The memories made here truly are priceless. White Stallion Ranch offers a unique alternative to a traditional family vacation.
Staying at a dude ranch is a quintessential Southwest experience and is sure to be an unforgettable experience that your kids will be talking about for years to come!
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This sounds like a wonderful family weekend adventure! Have never heard of this place before!
We have lived in Arizona for years and just recently discovered it too! Such a fun place for a family stay!
This place looks fantastic – Horse ridding, climbing, snakes, tarantula – it has everything my girls love – if we make to Arizona it will be on our must see list… And i love the idea of buying hats. Great photos !!!!
Oh they would be in heaven! I hope you do get a chance to visit someday!