Rancho de los Caballeros
Wickenburg, Arizona
** Selected by FamilyTravel.com as one of the “Great Family Resorts in Arizona” (March, 2002)
We have visited many fine resorts, hotels, and ranches throughout the United States and Ranch de los Caballeros is one of our favorites. Located one hour northwest of Phoenix, this lovely resort offers golf, swimming, horseback riding, tennis, mountain biking, skeet/trap shooting, and jeep tours of the surrounding desert. The word “caballeros” means “gentlemen on horseback” and this name perfectly describes the style of gracious living this 20,000 acre ranch brings to this untamed desert region.
Guest ranches are an excellent vacation option for families because everyone can do their own thing and still be together. Parents can golf and play tennis, while their children participate in the ranch’s kids program. And the Rancho de los Caballeros has an incredible kids program! Kids between the ages of five and twelve join up with program counselors for breakfast at 8:00 am. I thought my children would complain about this being too early and would beg to sleep in, but the kids were out the door before we were, ready to meet their friends. After an incredible breakfast buffet that featured made-to-order omelets, cereals, and perfectly ripened fruit, the kids headed out for their morning horseback ride. Children eight and over go out on the trail with the kiddie wrangler who plays games with them designed to improve their horsemanship skills. Children under eight stay back with a counselor and get a chance to go horseback riding in the corral. After the morning ride the kids are taken to the pool where they can safely swim with their friends under the counselor’s supervision.
While the kids are having fun in the kids program, parents can choose to golf, play tennis, go out on a trail ride, or simply relax by the pool. Since there are no meals to prepare or dishes to clean, mom and dad get to have fun too. (Breakfast and lunch are casual affairs at the ranch, but dinners are a more formal occasion with jackets required for the men.) At 1:30 parents and children are reunited for afternoon family time. Some families play a round of golf, some play in the pool, and some head out on a desert jeep tour.
Our family went out with BC Jeeps (1-928-684-7901) for a two-hour tour of the beautiful Sonoran desert. Our thoughtful and informative guides taught us about the native plants, animals, and rocks in the area. This was just the kind of tour we needed because the kids finally got all their questions answered about the desert. Our guides taught us about the teddy bear cholla, a type of cactus that is so sensitive the spines seem to jump right out at you. And they brought along samples of rattlesnake skins and taught the kids what to do if they ever encountered a live rattler. We even had the rare opportunity to see a golden eagle feeding on a freshly killed rabbit. And if you have the chance to visit the desert during the spring bloom, it is an experience you will always remember.
The ranch’s horse program is quite exceptional. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider, the ranch’s wranglers are skilled at choosing the type of horse and the type of trail ride that is right for you. For example, when I visited the ranch I was the only novice rider out that particular morning so a wrangler took me out by myself for a personal horseback tour of the desert. It was incredible.
Rancho de los Cabelleros, like most guest ranches, bases its rates on what is called an “American Plan.” This means that you pay one rate and this takes care of your room, your meals, and most of your activities. This style of vacation can be a comfort to families because you know exactly what your vacation is going to cost and don’t have to worry about ending up with a vacation that costs twice as much as you thought it would. It’s also very nice we were at the ranch we were struck by the number of guests who return to the ranch year after year. Some of the families have been visiting the ranch for thirty-four years! We also noticed a number of families who make Ranch de los Caballeros their annual reunion destination. We met one family where the siblings all lived in different states and used the ranch as their central meeting spot. And what a wonderful opportunity for these young cousins who get to create such special memories together.
We highly recommend Rancho de los Caballeros. In fact, we think it’s one of the top five family resorts in Arizona. The ranch closes down between May and October because of the summer heat and is therefore an excellent vacation destination for the holidays and for spring break. The ranch’s 79 rooms are large and comfortable, the activities program is incredible, the food is delicious, and the desert location is very special. This makes the resort an excellent choice for families who are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience in the wild-west.
While visiting the ranch we recommend the following local activities:
· BC Jeep Tours (1-928-684-7901) will pick you up at the ranch and take you on a two-hour educational tour of the Sonoran desert. Try their special sunrise or sunset tours!
· Skeet Shooting at the ranch is very popular with children and women. When our children returned from vacation, the first thing they said to their friends was “We learned how to shoot a rifle!”
· The Los Caballeros Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course rated among the best in Arizona. This challenging course is never crowded and gives you the opportunity to test your skills, without having to rush through the experience.
For reservation information contact:
Rancho de los Caballeros
Wickenburg, Arizona
1-800-684-5030
www.sunC.com
