Hidden Meadow Guest Ranch - A Retreat in the White Mountains

Hidden Meadow is located 10 miles north of Greer, Arizona. It's about a 4 hour drive from Phoenix through very scenic territory. The closest large airports are Phoenix and Albuquerque.

Address: P.O. Box 300, 620 County Road 1325, Greer, AZ 85927.
Map to Greer
Phone: (866) 333-4080 (toll free) or (928) 333-1000

WebsiteHidden Meadow Ranch is high on luxury. Yes, you'll have your own private log cabin surrounded by pine trees. But you won't have to give up the resort-style amenities such as terry robes, nice toiletries, to-die-for comfortable beds, tasteful decor and excellent, personalized service.

Oh yes, and then there are the three daily meals that are a culinary adventure in themselves. Try the Achiote-Marinated Elk Tenderloin or Grilled Salmon. And don't miss those special events - we sat by the campfire and roasted marshmallows during the "S'mores and Snifters" event.Hidden Meadow Ranch lies on 15 wooded acres in the White Mountains of northeastern Arizona. The ranch is bordered by wildlife preserve and the Apache National Forest. The volcanic lands dotted with herds of deer and elk offer visitors a glimpse into mountain ranch life.

Hidden Meadow guests select from 12 beautifully decorated (yet rustic) cabins. Cabins are ideal for families (or two couples) with a master bedroom and a loft bedroom. Even though 4-5 people can comfortably sleep in each cabin, the resort feels small and intimate.You can particpate as much as you want. Your activities will be included in your all-inclusive rate (unless you choose the Hideaway Package which is sans activities). Fun at the ranch includes:

• Horseback Riding (small group rides and lessons available)
• Fishing
• Leatherworking
• Nature hikes
• Special activities such as wagon rides to feed the horses, expert cowboy demonstrations, cook-outs and bar-b-ques

And don't be surprised if you have a unique interest as the ranch works hard to accommodate special requests.All those activities will make you hungry. The ranch keeps up with you by providing three nutritious gourmet meals a day. You'll choose from a menu as you enjoy the immense log dining room with fireplace and windows overlooking the pond. In warm weather, enjoy a drink on the deck.

While the dining rooms is very relaxing, the ranch spices things up a bit by offering special activities such as a bar-b-que lunch and cowboy breakfast with buggy rides.As with any guest ranch, horseback riding tops the list of things to do. Hidden Meadow ranch has friendly, expert wranglers and guides who will give you an orientation in the arena before you start out on your first ride.

The horses are well-cared for and well-trained. The trails are exciting to ride. You'll enjoy the beauty of the woods and find a variety of trails. Don't be surprised if you see elk or deer as you ride. You can choose from short, one-hour rides or longer 2 and 1/2 hour rides. If you would benefit from a lesson, they offer that as well.Although I haven't experienced a winter at the ranch, from what I hear, its an extraordinary time to go! Snow permitting, you may be able to do some trail riding. You can travel to ski slopes not far away and enjoy a relaxing sleigh ride pulled by Tom the immense black draft horse.

Each cozy cabin has a fireplace. I can't think of a more romantic place to spend a winter weekend.The ranch can make about anything happen... from corporate retreats to weddings. Just call them and inquire. My nature hike guide told me about orienteering and challenge courses that he had worked to set up for corporate retreats.Rates that include all activities and meals begin at $525 for the first two adults. If you want a getaway that does not include activities, you can opt for the Hideaway Package starting at $375 per night. Rates are seasonal.

Rates quoted will not include alcoholic beverages, gift shop purchases and the collective gratuity for the staff.

If the rates sound expensive, just take out a piece of paper and add up the cost for accommodations, three restaurant meals, horseback riding, arts and crafts classes.... you get the idea. It's not all that expensive when you cost it out.As we drove off the highway down forest roads, we began to relax. We encountered cows and their calves, stands of beautiful pine tress and glimpsed cinder cone mountains in the distance. Soon we arrived at a huge log gate that marked the entrance to Hidden Meadow Ranch.

We were greeted by name and immediately escorted to our log cabin retreat by a cowboy on a beautiful pinto horse. He showed us all the cabin's ammenities (we were pleased to see a fridge, microwave and WiFi access) and told us about the "privacy pine cone" to be hung on the door when we wanted to feel we were all alone in the woods in our private cabin.

There are ammenities at Hidden Meadow just like at many resorts but there are very few resorts that can provide the ammenities that I treasured. We will always remember:

• Seeing deer and elk on a nature hike high into "elk country."
• Walking back to the cabin from the campfire event and marveling at the multitude of stars. We even saw a shooting star and the Milky Way. The skies in the mountains are that dark!
• Seeing young boys enthusiastically try all the activiites - proudly showing off the hand-tooled belts they made and raving about cooking lessons with the ranch chef
• Riding to Strawberry Canyon (which is more of a beautiful meadow) and seeing deer and a red-tailed hawk
• Sleeping with the windows open enjoying the cool mountain air
• Almost seeing Crockett, the huge bull elk that visits the ranch at dusk.

Sometimes it's the little touches that are important. We were greeted by a hand-written poem left by the staff who provided turn-down service, we found woven horse blankets covering the logs at the campfire and everywhere we noticed the detailed Western decor, some chosen from Santa Fe shops, that worked together to make each log building and cabin a vision from a high-end Southwest decorating magazine.

The staff make the resort. Like many guest ranches, most staff live on-site and work multiple shifts and multiple jobs. My expert nature hike guide transformed into expert server in the dining room in the evening. This is a great way for staff to get to know guests and make their stay feel a bit more personal

I'd love to go back to Hidden Meadow Ranch. On the last hour of my visit I thumbed through the guest book in my cabin noticing how many people had been there to enjoy their honeymoon or an anniversary. Children wrote about their favorite horses and their vacation spent in the White Mountains. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to return.