Rates Note:

Transfer and Other Charges:

There is so much to do at our lodge! Buried deep within the Tonto National Forest, guests are able to experience the full natural beauty of the Arizona highlands.

Whether you feel like strapping on a pair of jeans and cowboy boots and hopping in the saddle of one of our beautiful horses, flying around in our four wheelers, or venturing out on your own for a hike, you’ll take in the Arizona wilderness like never before.

Feel like experiencing rustic Arizona but don’t want to leave the comfort of the lodge? You don’t have to! There is plenty to do right outside our front door including fishing on Lake Sharon (watch out the fish bite like piranha!) or practicing your archery or shotgun skills.

Our all-inclusive packages each activity day includes one trail ride or an ATV tour.
Riding clinics available -- please inquire.
A 10 station 3-D target archery course are also available (extra charge).

Young area 

Seasons

Average temperatures do tend to vary at the lodge over the year, giving a very temperate climate compared to most of Arizona. The lodge receives a dusting of snow each year, but has seen up to three feet of snow before! Temperatures reach just over 100°F in the summer. Please be sure to pack correctly for the season.

For a brief but spectacular three weeks in September, the foliage undergoes a magical change around the Valley. Brilliant reds, oranges and yellows cover the deciduous trees.

December through late February the lodge receives a dusting of snow and the occasional winter wonderland storm. Temperatures reach below freezing at night, so be sure to pack plenty of warm winter clothing and cozy up by the fire.

Spring and fall temperatures are very temperate with an average between the low 70s to mid 90s (degrees Fahrenheit). It’s the perfect escape from the still blazing heat in Phoenix.

July and August are the hottest months of the year, while August and September receive the most rainfall of the year.

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

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter horses, Mules
Pace:		Slow with some trots and canters according to riding level. Working cattle may require fast canter and occasional gallop. Trail rides are in mountainous trails. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    All riding levels
Age:		Min 8
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 12 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 20

Experienced riders and beginners alike will find everything they need to enjoy and take advantage of the lodge’s miles of trails, beautiful horses and professional equipment.

Our horses were bred to traverse the diverse terrain of Pleasant Valley. Any level of riding expertise can be accommodated.

Our staff will help find the horse just right for you! Each staff member has grown up with horses and taken care of them all their life. They take pride in the quality and care of each animal at the lodge. 

For more experienced riders ready to hit the mountain trails on arrival, there are over 100 miles of trail on 55,000 acres of land around the lodge. 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.

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.