Rancho de Los Caballeros - Wickenburg, Arizona Guest Ranch

Warm Western Hospitality, New Spa, and Trail Rides Mix Well

Head Back in Time – With Style

Head down Vulture Mine Road in Wickenburg and you will head back in time to when a stay at a Guest Ranch was for the "rich and famous" and the desert held treasures only a guest flying in to the ranch's private airstrip could enjoy.

For us, it was just a short drive from Phoenix to Wickenburg, "the Dude Ranch Capitol of the World," but as we headed toward Vulture Peak, past the beautifully manicured Los Caballeros Golf Course, and up to the main lobby for check in, we already felt that we had left the city far behind.

Saltillo Tile Floors and Simple Southwest Furnishings

We checked in and the friendly folks showed us to our room, a little adobe casita. An orange tree in front laden with fruit and a large Saguaro added to the desert ambiance. Once inside our simple but very Southwest casita, we opened the back door to a vast desert vista, listened to the singing birds and breathed a sigh of relief. Rancho de los Caballeros is meant for rest, recreation and reconnecting with family and regaining a sense of life balance. The rooms are tastefully and simply decorated with Saltillo tile floors and nice wood furniture.

Dining at Los Caballeros

We met our group in the Ranch's "Saloon," had one of the Ranch's famous Prickly Pear Margaritas and headed into the beautifully decorated dining room for dinner. We were surprised by the offerings... would it be Harris Ranch steak, or Lupe's Sonoran Special? Service was friendly and attentive and, since we had already relaxed, we spent the evening talking and enjoying the three course dinner. A wrangler came by to sign us up for horseback riding the next day. After dinner, a walk back to our room under a brilliant starlit desert sky reminded us that we were, indeed, far, far away from the city.

Meals at Rancho de los Caballeros are on the American Plan. Breakfast and Lunch are served buffet style (we always opted to eat outside around the pool) and dinner is served in the dining room. Guests choose from an ever-changing menu. A part of the ranch culture and tradition is that guests “dress” for dinner. Expect to wear a sports jacket or western vest and bolo tie (ladies can wear corresponding “nice” casual wear).

So Much to Do, So Little Time

After plotting out the recreation part of our stay, to experience a variety of what the ranch had to offer, we decided on horseback riding, more horseback riding, skeet and trap shooting and leisurely lunches by the pool with friends to hear about their visits to the spa, jeep rides in the desert and golf.

I have to admit that I love horses, a life-long interest since age 4. One of the highlights of my visit was the "running of the horses" at the end of the day at Los Caballeros. Horses are run from the riding stable through the desert to the pasture each evening about 4:15 p.m. The sight of this large herd, joyfully galloping home, is a photographer's delight.

Riding at Los Caballeros is a "must." The well-trained heard takes riders out several times a day. There is a horse for every level of expertise and every size rider. One day I took a horseback saunter through the desert with the ranch's naturalist (we saw a horned owl guarding her nest) and another day we opted for a "trot and lope," a safely guided ride where we stepped it up a bit and tried out our riding skills.

My friend enjoyed trap and skeet shooting and noted that the patient instructor worked with the beginners in their group to help them understand gun safety and how to track the targets and successfully hit quite a few!

Lively conversation around the pool revealed that the Spa was a big hit. Consensus was that the massages were a must and sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair gazing at the beautiful grounds was part of the relaxing, rejuvenating experience at the ranch’s Spa.

Now don’t get me wrong, a stay at the ranch doesn’t have to be so laid back, but that’s what we needed at the time. Families with really active children keep busy constantly. There is much to do from dawn to dark. If you want an adventure-filled vacation the ranch can provide that too! One afternoon we sat on hay bales and watched guests and wranglers in an exciting Team Penning competition. 5 wiley cattle had to be cut out of the heard and penned within a time limit. It ain’t easy!

The jeep trip sounded like fun. Friends headed out with a local jeep company that offered forays into the desert, educational commentary and fun off-roading. They came back with tales of seeing a Gila Monster (large lizard) and thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Cowboy Cook-Out

A highlight of our stay was a cookout in the desert complete with an excellent western singer and balladeer that kept guest entranced around the campfire as the beautiful sun set and the stars came out once again in the desert sky. The food was excellent and the same executive chef that prepared our meals in the dining room was out there in the desert cooking up succulent bar-b-qued chicken. The ranch’s manager, who also does double duty was seen tending bar (I have to say this was a “luxury bar-b-que") and greeting guests who stepped off the hay ride.

Unique History and Culture Make for a Memorable Stay

On our last evening at the ranch we were given a book on the history of Ranch de los Caballeros. Tracing the story of the ranch from the 1940’s to the present day and noting that the same family owns the ranch today may give you an understanding of how special this place is. Families have stayed at the ranch, some since it’s founding, and return year after year for a consistently warm and enjoyable vacation. The ranch’s owner, Rusty Gant and General Manger, Jeff Deming, are hands-on managers. They are seen at the ranch, mingling with guests and staff all day. Their warm hospitality is one reason that the ranch retains the down-home family feel after all these years. This beautiful ranch, under the brand “Sun C” is a gem with roots in the best of the past with an eye on the future, slowly and cautiously adding amenities such as the beautiful new Ranch House Spa. We highly recommend Rancho de los Caballeros for the warm western hospitality, quality recreational opportunities and beautiful location.