Ride Into the Spirit of the Old West

Outfitters across Arizona offer guided trail rides that pass by natural wonders and cultural sites with historic significance, and often a mix of both. No experience is needed to feel a bit of the cowboy spirit, just the ability to follow instructions and let the horse do the work. Access rugged horseback trails from the fringes of metro areas or in the heart of small towns.

Tucson and Wickenburg are Arizona’s top spots for dude ranch vacations, with legendary working ranches open to visitors. These Wild West throwbacks have been updated with guest comfort in mind, and the daily activities put visitors in the saddle for a whole new perspective. At Arizona’s guest ranches, visitors can feed farm animals, practice sport shooting and join a cattle-wrangling expedition. Or, if they prefer, lounge by the pool, take a nap in a hammock and enjoy live Western music at campfire cookouts.

On Arizona’s horseback trails, roughing it means giving up Wi-Fi for the day. That’s easy to do when the trails reveal abandoned mines and ghost towns in remote mountains and sprawling desert valleys. Book a day trip or overnight stay to explore the state’s rugged terrain the cowboy way.