Where? A wide range of dude and working ranches within the state but particularly in the Tucson area. Other areas include the northern Arizona High Country, on the US-Mexican border and in the foothills of the Tanque Verde, Rincon and Catalina mountain ranges. Wickenburg in Arizona is another popular location 70 miles northwest of Phoenix. Here ranches are nestled near wildlife reserves, by rivers and at the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains.
What’s on offer? A stay on either a working ranch where you can join in the daily horse rides and cattle round-ups or a dude ranch, which offers riding at different levels of ability but is geared more towards the holidaymaker who wants all the facilities of a resort. These can include swimming pool, tennis courts and other sports, as well as guided nature treks, barbecues and evening entertainment, such as campfire sing-songs and talks by cowboys and native Indians. Canoeing, fishing and archery are also popular pursuits.
Children’s facilities: many ranches offer supervised children’s activity programmes, mainly in late June, July and August. Parents can then take in some extra riding or an excursion on their own if they wish.
Comfort factor: most ranches have modern en-suite log-style cabin accommodation with most mod cons, comfortable beds and furnishings. Hearty meals are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner and are usually taken either in the main restaurant or kitchen, or as part of a cook-out on the range.
Riding: horses are matched to the level of rider and beginners are welcome. Ranch staff are happy to offer advice to help improve riding skills, and all rides are accompanied. At most ranches, riding lessons for children are recommended from the age of six.
Add-on product: a ranch stay is ideal for from three-four days to a week to soak up the lifestyle and activities that can be experienced in Arizona. This can be combined with self-drives, horse-riding itineraries and white-water rafting adventures around the Grand Canyon region.
Operators: Ranch America, Travel 4, United Vacations, Virgin Holidays, North America Travel Service.
Sample product: Travel 4 offers a four-night package at the Wickenburg Inn and Dude Ranch 70 miles from Phoenix, costing from £414 from May to September twin share or £375, triple. Includes ranch accommodation, three meals a day and various activities and facilities. Transfers are available from Phoenix Airport for a nominal charge. United Vacations offers the Rancho do la Osa in Sasabe, Arizona, from £99 per person per night.
Specialist product: Ranch America features a choice of seven properties in various locations in Arizona, with one-week prices at the newly-introduced Bellota Ranch near Tucson from £1,255 in May-June twinshare including full board and flights from the UK. Transfers from Tucson Airport are free but staff gratuities for the week are set at £105 per person.
Ranch America: also offers various horseback holidays for more experienced riders. A Grand Canyon Adventure five-day itinerary is priced at £795 excluding flights. Three, four and six-day white-water rafting packages on the Colorado River cost from around £620 tour-only.