Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Location: A beautiful mountain foothill location three hours south of Phoenix, and at the end of Speedway Blvd. in Tucson. Map

Address: 14301 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, Arizona
Phone: (520) 296-6275 or (800) 234-DUDE
WebsiteThe Tanque Verde Ranch is located at the foothills of the Rincon Mountains between Saguaro National Park and the Coronado National Forest just east of Tucson, Arizona. The rooms and casitas and dotted throughout the guest ranch property, making each short walk from room to activities and dining, an opportunity to explore the beauty of the desert. The hills surrounding the ranch are dotted with the majestic Saguaro cacti, native only to the Sonoran desert area. You may happen upon deer, javelina, coyotes, rabbits and a wide range of bird species on your visit.The ranch was founded on a summer camp model and features a full range of activities for adults and children. It is the quality of the activities and the expertise of the staff that make this aspect of the guest ranch unique. Activites include:

- Riding
- Hiking
- Tennis
- Golf (nearby)
- Mountain Biking (new and very exciting!)
- Full Children's Program
- Spa
- Swimming Pool
- Nature walks and education
- Evening Programs
- Horsemanship clinics
- Team Penning
- Birding
We even heard that some guests can participate in the yearly cattle round-up. However, I am not sure I'm up to 10 hours in the saddle!Don't let the glitzy web page fool you. Yes, the activities and scenery shown is real. But the ranch has heart, found within the owners, staff and animals. It is not a luxury chain, all-inclusive resort or high end hotel. The bedding and toiletries may be the same, but what is special about this ranch is that it is owned and managed by the Cote Family. Many managers and staff have worked there for years and will make you feel at home and part of the ranch family during your stay.Ranch dining is on the American Plan. Three meals a day are included. That means the fine dining in the evening, the extensive lunch buffets, breakfast buffet and menu items and the cook-outs are all included in your daily rate. For a cozy place before or after dinner, mozy on down to the Doghouse Saloon and sit by the big fireplace at round mesquite tables and talk to your fellow guests over drinks. If you are lucky, your bartender will be a vivacious gun-toting young woman with a personality that just exudes fun.The ranch features lessons ranging from beginner to advanced horsemanship clinics with Tom Chambers, who focuses on the art of communication between man and horse.

With more than 150 sure-footed horse, the ranch boasts the largest stable in Arizona. You can enjoy easy-going rides, trotting and loping rides and "horse-hiking" into the mountains.

Finish that off with a rousing Team Penning activity and you are bound to come home knowing much more about riding than you ever did.New to the ranch, is mountain biking, under the direction of Brian, their Mountain Bike expert. He's built a great pump track where even BMX'ers can enjoy a challenge. With easy going desert rides and more advanced cross-country guided rides, the Mountain Bike Program at Tanque Verde is sure to grow in popularity. Give it a try. They provide mountain bike, helmets and gloves.What's a resort nowdays without a Spa. Of course the Tanque Verde Ranch has a spa as well located just down the path from the beautiful swimming pool and hot tub. Massages are the specialty and you'll appreciate the skilled hands of their therapists after a long day in the saddle.The rooms at the ranch are ideal for family getaways or for couples who want some time out of the city. I enjoyed a suite that has a separate master bedroom, 2 pull-down Murphy beds in the livingroom and, if that isn't large enough, there was a door to yet another bedroom. The beds are luxuriously fluffy and the full bathrooms often include a spa tub. The decor is authenic Southwestern with viga and latilla ceilings and saltillo tiles. Many rooms have fireplaces and expansive views of the ranch. I love having a patio with a view. Be sure and inqure about your room options when you book.If I haven't said enough already to entice you to visit Tanque Verde Ranch, let me continue...

Children's Programming

Remember that the ranch started with the summer camp model? Well, they still excel in providing comprehensive programming for kids. I was at the Nature Center one day and watched a group of children entranced by the naturalist who was handling a small snake. They have their own rides, their own diningroom and a full slate of programs each day. Of course families can opt out of activities and have their children join them, but the kids love the program.

The Rooms are Free!

The ranch's American Plan includes three meals but also includes most riding and children's activities. Of course the Spa is extra and so are some of the horsemanship clinics... but when it all is added up, the value of the activities and meals is amazing, it's like you're getting your room free!

Relax and Rejuvenate

I probably didn't mention that there is no TV in the guest rooms. And, does anyone really care once they get into the games, riding, nature hikes, watching the dawn over the mountains and toasting the sunset with a Prickly Pear Margarita? The ranch atmosphere is conducive to strengthening relationships and making friends from all over the world. And, if you just want to veg you can certainly do that. The fireplace in the lobby or saloon is a great place to relax, the grounds are like a botanical garden where you can wander to your heart's content and the horses in the corral are always looking to make friends and be petted.

You'll Love Tanque Verde Ranch

We highly recommend a stay at the ranch whether you are going as a group of friends, a family or as a couple. Here are our photos from our stay.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accomodations and meals for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.