2021-08-19 23:21:07
In Arizona, wide-open spaces are left just like they’re meant to be—well, wide and open. Cowboys still ride the range and coyotes serenade the rising moon. Here, the West still lives and breathes. All you need to join in is a hat and a horse. Both are waiting for you. Escape to the Arizona backcountry with a stay at one of the state’s many guest ranches, where the creak of your saddle and the crackle of your campfire nod to a slower pace of life and simpler pleasures. Hidden away on 590 acres in Sasabe—and surrounded by 120,000 acres of the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge—it’s easy to imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago when you stay at historic Rancho de la Osa. Throughout the centuries, these secluded grounds have been home to the Tohono O’odham people, Spanish missionaries, Mexican revolutionaries and cattle ranchers. Fill your days with horseback riding, sport shooting, mountain biking, hiking, birdwatching or simply taking in the sweeping views of mountains and lush desert grasslands. Want even more of a Wild West escape? Built to resemble a Western town, Tombstone Monument Ranch sits just outside the most famous Western town of all: Tombstone. Get a good night’s sleep in turn-of-the-century rooms. You’ll want to be well rested for all the riding options and other activities offered, like cattle penning, archery and UTV tours. You can even saddle up and ride to the famous O.K. Corral. When the sun goes down, push through the swinging doors of the saloon to enjoy the evening’s entertainment. At Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch in Yucca, focus on honing your Wild West skill set, such as barrel racing, target shooting, archery and billiards. Located in northwestern Arizona, this all-inclusive ranch features a variety of riding options, including loping and trotting through desert washes. Oversized rooms are filled with Western décor, and there’s also the Pioneer Wagon for families that yearn to sleep under the stars—though quite comfortably. For a part guest ranch, part resort where casual luxury is the norm, Rancho de los Caballeros translates loosely to “Ranch of the Gentlemen on Horseback,” and that tells you what to expect at this getaway in Wickenburg. Rooms are scattered about the grounds in lovely casitas. Sumptuous meals are served in the festive dining room. The ranch features daily horseback rides, a full-service spa, trap and skeet range, tennis courts, swimming pool and an 18-hole golf course considered one of the best in the state. In Arizona, that’s high praise indeed. Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson also offers a luxury-meets-adventure experience, where your day could just as easily include yoga and tennis or fishing and archery. Start your day with a Breakfast Ride—a horseback ride through rolling hillsides and towering cacti, ending with a blueberry pancake breakfast cooked for you in the scenic outdoors. After a day of excursions, unwind with a massage or body treatment at La Sonora Spa and a prickly pear margarita at the saloon. Just want a quick Wild West trip? Even if you’re not booking an overnight getaway, experienced outfitters can still put you in the saddle. Less than an hour east of Phoenix, venture into the Sonoran Desert with an experienced guide at O.K. Corral Stables in Apache Junction. Beginners (and travelers short on time) can ride through the foothills on an easy half-hour ride, while more adventurous riders can opt for an all-day ride through the Goldfield Mountains or the Superstition Mountain Wilderness. No matter which adventure you choose, the views are spectacular. WESTERN ART GALLERIES **Desert Caballeros Western Museum, **Wickenburg From sculptures to paintings to historic artifacts, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum embodies the culture and spirit of ranch life through its permanent and rotating exhibits, including the evocative pieces in Bill Anton Paints the West, on view December 18, 2021–February 27, 2022. Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Scottsdale Another Smithsonian affiliate, this art museum showcases a variety of perspectives on the beauty and culture of the West. See a striking collection of early 20th century photographs of American Indians at Light and Legacy: The Art of Edward Curtis, open October 19, 2021. Big Horn Galleries, Tubac Representing some of the most talented modern-day artists specializing in Western art, this fine art gallery features an array of life-like landscape paintings, portraiture and depictions of ranch life. The Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale Representing 100-plus artists in a range of media from watercolor to bronze sculpture and beyond, this fine art gallery showcases representational and impressionistic pieces. Phippen Museum, Prescott From rodeo culture and the Arizona Rancher & Cowboy Hall of Fame to desert landscapes and a working chuck wagon, this Western art museum preserves the legacy of pioneers, cowboys and ranchers. LEARN MORE AT VISITARIZONA.COM/EXPERIENCES/ARTS-CULTURE/OLD-WEST.
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Ranch Retreat
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