Transfer and Other Options:

The majority of the cattle round ups, branding etc are in April / early May and October / early November. The rest of the year you can participate in moving cattle between pastures, checking the range and join the cowboys on their daily chores. This can always be combined with trail rides through spectacular scenery - from a short 2-hour ride to an all day excursion.

Around the Lodge
Beginners can take riding and 'cowboy skill' lessons from our experienced ranch hands. A typical day involves getting up to feed and groom the horses, proper saddling and riding techniques in the morning and a break for lunch in the lodge. When riders are comfortable, the ranch hands begin taking them out on the smoother trails around the lodge. Guests will also have the option to attend farrier, roping and Gymkhana demonstrations by the ranch hands. Roping lessons and instruction in the mechanics of a cattle ranch are also offered

In the Roping Arena
The arena is available for guests that would like to try their own hand at roping, Gymkhana, team penning and other horseback games.

Trail Rides & Excursions
For more experienced riders ready to hit the trails on arrival, there are over 100 miles of trail on 55,000 acres of land around the lodge. Guests can accompany ranch hands on guided rides or can pack up lunch, grab a map and climb the Valley trails around the Rim territory. Some trails are gentle and wide enough for wheeled vehicles. Others are steep, winding paths that cut through the hills on their climb to the top. Riders will need to have a moderate level of experience before tackling the steeper trails. There are a variety of trails to take that will keep guests entertained for days exploring the beautiful country around the lodge. The type of terrain covered and the pace of the guided trail rides will be chosen to accommodate the desires and experience levels of the participants.

In addition to just riding the trails along the creek beds, though scenic canyons, and over the ridges, hills and mountains, there are any number of destinations to which to ride, including among others: ancient petroglyphs, Indian ruins, remote cabins, Pleasant Valley War sites and particularly spectacular scenery or geological formations. Trail rides can be one half day or a full-day. Full-day rides will include a trail lunch.

Destination Rides and Camp Outs
Some destinations (e.g., particularly spectacular Indian cave dwellings, and some of the Pleasant Valley War sites) require more than one day’s ride. Those cases call for a "Cowboy Camp Out": sleep in tepees and authentic cowboy bed rolls. Enjoy campfire grills and Dutch oven style meals. Of course, for those that want the experience but without the long ride, camp outs can be arranged closer to home. (There are extra charges for camp outs).

Games and Competitions
For really adventurous advanced riders, teams are chosen and equestrian games are played. Depending upon the experience levels, daring and inclinations of the participants, games may include; Cowboys versus Rustlers (teams are challenged with finding and rounding up a group of cattle); Treasure Hunt; and Capture the Flag. Some games may also include a target shooting, water gun, laser tag or a dismounted (we need to protect the horses) paint ball component. (There are extra charges for set up and use of equipment).

The Cowboy Life, Cattle Drives and Round-ups
If a guest would like to experience an actual day in the life of cowboy, he or she can accompany the ranch hands as they tend to the actual business of the ranch, monitoring the horses and cattle, riding the fence lines and so forth. In Arizona, we calve year-round and practice stringent range management. The working the cattle often includes roundups, branding, sorting, weaning, vaccinating, castrating, moving to new pastures.

For advanced riders looking to be a part of the action and find out what it is really like to work on a cattle ranch, this is the ultimate experience. Riders should be prepared for long days and less guidance than other activities. Riders will be taught everything they need to know before the first day of the drive and guided on how to participate. Then they can either sit back and watch the action or jump right on in and help. Playing an active role in working the livestock in particular will expose the rider to a variety of terrains, some of which may be relatively rugged, wooded and/or rocky, and may require riding at a fast canter or gallop. Once the cattle have been rounded up, riders have the opportunity to also take part in the cattle drive, and ultimately branding and other activities. It’s an experience not soon forgotten. On rare occasions, the opportunity may arise to ride along on a predation hunt for a stock-killing mountain lion or bear.

A Sample Itinerary

Sunday Arrive at the lodge. Settle in any time after 3pm. Tour the facilities. Before dinner you will go through an orientation with your host and the itinerary for the group will be finalized. After dinner enjoy evening campfire in front of the lodge.

Monday (options) If there is sufficient interest, you can attend a Horseback Riding Clinic (including 1 to 2 hour rides) for beginners and those guests who want a refresher on Western-style track and riding. The clinic will cover such things as (depending upon the interests and experience of the attendees) equine anatomy, care and maintenance of the horse, horse psychology, hoof care and shoeing, Western saddle and tack, saddling and mounting the horse, riding techniques and communicating with horse, riding etiquette, hobbling and timing a horse. Alternatively, you can choose to go on one or both of morning and afternoon guided trail rides. Lunch will be served at the lodge.

Tuesday (options) The group can choose either morning and afternoon guided trail rides with lunch at the lodge, or an all day guided trail ride to one of the destinations with lunch on the trail.

Wednesday (options) If there is sufficient interest, you can attend a hands on "Cowboy Skill" clinic on roping and cattle management - care, movement, branding, vaccinating, castrating, ear tagging and marking. Alternatively, you can choose to go on one or both of morning and afternoon guided trail rides or practice "cowboy skills" or gymkhana in the arena. Lunch will be served at the lodge.

Thursday (options) You have the opportunity to participate in or at least ride along with a cattle roundup and drive and, once the cattle are brought in, to practice your cowboy skills in the corral.

Friday (options) The group can choose between guided trail rides, or practice sessions in the arena in the morning and afternoon with lunch at the lodge, an all day guided trail ride to one of the destinations with lunch on the trail, or spend the day working cattle.

Saturday (options) If you are an early riser, you can take a short trail ride (staying close to the lodge), practice in the arena, take advantage of one of the other activities offered at the Lodge or simply relax until it is time to depart.
Of course, there are a couple of alternative options available every day. You can participate in the normal activities in and about the ranch -- taking care of the livestock, range management, and working cattle, you can ride off on your own, or you can just relax.

Summer temperatures can climb well into the high 90s F during the heat of the day in Young, Arizona, while winter nights can plunge below freezing. Depending on when your stay is, always come prepared for the seasonal weather and temperature! Please see the climate section for the chart on average temperatures.

That being said, here are some items you will want to bring year round.

Broken-in riding boots (new ones will really hurt)
Riding jeans (preferably without leg seam to reduce chaffing)
We recommend full or half chaps
Any riding gear you own and wish to bring
Comfortable clothing for indoors
Sunscreen (High-SPF)
Hat for shade
Sunglasses
Camping or pocket knife
Flashlight

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.