Activities on the Ranch
Stagecoach Trails has a variety of dude ranch activities besides horseback riding available throughout your stay. You can choose to be in all of them, some of them, or none of them at all! That is entirely up to you. Many of our guests find that when they come to the ranch their favorite activity when not horseback riding or eating our home-cooked meals, quickly becomes just good old relaxation. Our guests often like to relax by the swimming pool, in the Frontier Lodge, their rooms, in the courtyard reading or just enjoying the Arizona sunshine, wildlife, sunset, or stars at night!
Other Dude Ranch Activities
ATVs
For you more active folks, you can pay to rent one of our ATV’s for a guided ride in the desert mountains. Ride the trails and explore the wilderness. Head up to the mountains and view huge saguaro cactus and old cowboy cattle camps. Drive by old Gold mines that made this valley popular back in the day or just enjoy the stunning scenery as you ride out in the badlands. (Extra Charge)
Shooting Range
Ever wanted to know what it felt like to shoot old western guns. Then come out to our Cowboy Action shooting range and try for yourself. We have a wide range of western guns like 45 long colt revolvers, Winchester rifles to more modern firearms for you to practice your shooting skills. Bullet charge applies, available Tuesdays and Thursdays only. (Extra Charge)
Nighttime Campfires
On cooler nights we build a fire in the courtyard so you can relax and talk about your beautiful day. Sing campfire songs, roast marshmallows, for an after-dinner snack. On some nights you can listen to guitar playing, participate in our fastest quick draw event, watch bull whipping and roping demonstrations. (Free)
Authentic Stagecoach
Here is your chance to ride in an authentic stagecoach just like the travelers from back in the day did. This is an authentic stagecoach that has been used in many Western movies including the most recent Magnificent 7 and Doc Wess. This is a popular dude ranch activity that the whole family can enjoy. Minimum 3 night stay required. (Free)
Gold Mine Ride
If you are staying with us 4 nights or more, you will head out on our popular Gold Mine Trail Ride. Here we go deep into the Buck mountains and visit some long lost gold mines from back in the day. You get to experience what the pioneers had to endure to make a living mining for gold. This ride will last between 5-6 hours. You will get a break at the gold mines to rest your legs and have lunch. In the summer between July and August we change this ranch activity to a breakfast ride. (Free)
Humvee Ride
Ride in an authentic Desert Storm Humvee. See what it was like for our military heroes to roam the desert landscape in these massive beasts. Known as the most capable off-road vehicle in the world this will fascinate both kids and adults. These are guided rides where you get to explore the mountains or old gold mines and are available to rent for the entire family. This is a favorite dude ranch activity for all. (Extra Charge)
Overnight Pack Trips
For those guests staying 5 nights or longer you can ride into the mountains and camp out overnight. You will sleep under the stars in our beautiful pristine wilderness. See the Milky Way like you have never seen before. Enjoy dinner and breakfast cooked over a campfire. Hear the coyotes howl at night and feel what it was really like to be a cowboy out here in the Arizona desert. There is an extra charge for this activity and overnight pack trips must be booked ahead at time of reservation. (Extra Charge)
Barrel Racing
A popular dude ranch activity is barrel racing. Have you ever wondered what it would be like? Well now you can learn in our barrel racing arena just like they do at the rodeos. You can see if you have what it takes to become a true barrel racer. Our wranglers will teach you how it’s done and then you can compete against your fellow riders in a timed event. (Free)
Fat tire mountain bikes
You can also use our fat tire mountain bikes for a quieter exploration of the cactus trails or just go out in the desert looking at the native wildlife. Who knows you may even see a roadrunner being chased by a coyote. (Free)
All-Day Mountain Ride
For those guests staying with us 7 nights or more we offer the all-day ride where you go deep into the Mohave mountains. You will have lunch in an old cattleman coral and then ride up to an ancient saguaro cactus for some incredible scenic views. During the summer (July-August) we shorten this to a breakfast ride lasting around 4 hours. (Free)
Petting Zoo
Head into our petting zoo full with baby goats, llamas, mini horses and other wonderful animals that are vying for your attention. Pet them and even take some out for a stroll around the ranch. This is a ranch activity the whole family will love. (Free)
Billiards & Horseshoes
For a more relaxing day you can also challenge guests, family members, or staff to a game of horseshoes, billiards, board games as well as a variety of good old fashion indoor and outdoor games for the entire family. Moreover, you can use our poker table for a friendly card game the way it was done back in the day. (Free)
Archery
Try your hand at some real archery with a Longbow the way the native American’s did. Find out what it really took to be a skilled hunter in the sacred land. For example, you can shoot a regular target or experience bow hunting by shooting a coyote shaped target. Above all this is a ranch activity the whole family can enjoy. (Free)
Pool & hot tub
Another favorite activity during our warmer months is swimming and relaxing around our pool and enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful mountain views. In addition, you can take some time to relax in our Hot tub or just lay by the pool and sunbathe. Most importantly our pool and hot tub are heated year round. (Free)
Wagon Rides
For those guests staying 3 nights or longer, step back in time and go on a wagon ride during the day or at night under a beautiful moonlit sky. This is another popular dude ranch activity that the whole family can enjoy. See what it feels like to be pulled by a team of horses. This is how everyone traveled in the 1800’s and now you can experience it to! (Free)
Hiking
Venture out into the desert and enjoy the beautiful mountain and cactus scenery. There are plenty of trails for you to explore. In addition, you can also do our round the ranch 1 mile walking trail for a more conservative hike. (Free)
Star Gazing
One of the great advantages of being out in the wilderness is there is no light pollution. As a result, this is your change to be in one of the few places on earth where you can actually see the milky way. Head out into the night and do some star gazing and amaze yourself with an incredible sky. (Free)
WWII relic hunting
One of the favorite pastimes for kids is to take one of our metal detectors and head out to Shot Up Well on the far end of the ranch compound and look for old WWII relics. For instance, many have found old 50 caliber bullets shot from P-47 Thunderbolts and other WWII aircraft. In addition, you will be amazed at how well our desert environment has preserved them If you are lucky you may even find an old pair of aviator goggles. (Free)
Wildlife Viewing
Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is located in pristine untouched wilderness. Just a walk in and around the ranch will delight you with all kinds of natural wildlife from coyotes to road runners. Most importantly make sure and bring your camera as you will not want to miss that once in a lifetime shot of our natural fauna. (Free)
Baby Goats
Come hang out with our baby goats born in March. They are a kids and adults delight. This year baby Yoda has been our guests favorite. (Free)