Cattle Ranch in Pleasant Valley Arizona USA Set in the heart of the Tonto National Forest along the Mogollon Rim, this lodge is part of a working 55,000 acre cattle ranch that offers something for every visitor and level of rider. It is also rich in old west history and culture – located near the site of one of the gunfights of the infamous Pleasant Valley War. The war is one the most famous of the range feuds in the American West, the subject of a number of nonfiction books, as well as the source of a number novels (including one by Zane Grey) and movie plots. The lodge is a study in rustic elegance, providing all the modern comforts, while staying true to its working cattle ranch history. Guests will enjoy the accommodations at the lodge – the spacious great hall with its fireplace and leather couches, the supremely comfortable bedrooms, the deck overlooking the lake and the patio with its fire pit. The lodge is the perfect place to relax when not out on the trail on well-trained, responsive horses, or taking advantage of the many activities around the ranch, including the roping arena, rifle range, archery course, sporting clay course, four-wheeling, fishing, hiking and more. The family-owned lodge opened to the public in 2008 and now offers a variety of riding opportunities that accommodate every level of experience including 'cowboy skill' classes, trail rides, half-day, day-long and camping excursions to explore Indian ruins, remote line cabins, or to the sites of gun fights in the Pleasant Valley War. Experienced riders can also go out with the ranch hands to experience the cowboy life, monitoring livestock & range conditions, riding fence lines, rounding up, driving and working the livestock. The trails wind through diverse and breathtaking terrain: Ponderosa pine forests, running streams, riparian valleys and canyons, stands of aspen, juniper, oak and chaparral, and open grass lands. Beginners will enjoy wide, slow-curving trails that wind around the hills and through the gullies around the lodge. These trails are relatively flat, mostly graded and very easy to follow. More experienced riders will want to take advantage of the more challenging trails and cross country excursions. Trails climb across ridges, gullies, valleys, mesas, hills and peaks. Some of the paths are fairly narrow, full of switchbacks and traverse steep rocky slopes, but provide some of the most spectacular views of Pleasant Valley and the wildlife hidden deep in the woods. Guest Ranch Working Ranch Short Getaway Family Vacation Riding with fishing options Trip with multi activities Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Young Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Transfer: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Riders: Min 2 riders Max 12 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating Travel Stories

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Tax: 6.6 %    

Rates Note:

Shorter stays possible with minimum of 3 days 2 nights

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) at any time.
Check in between 3 & 6 pm - Check out by 11 am
If you decide to drive in - please note that it is partially on dirt roads and a 4x4 or SUV is recommended - especially during winter months.

From horseback riding and UTV excursions to hiking, fishing, archery, shooting and so much more, there is no end to the memorable experiences to be found at the Ranch. Buried deep within the Tonto National Forest, guests are able to experience the full natural beauty of the Arizona highlands on the 40,000+ acre property.
A stay at our Ranch is an authentic American Cowboy Ranch experience!

Visit, interact, pet and feed our friendly horses, goats and chickens. Help collect fresh eggs daily from our chickens. Pick vegetables from our garden. Enjoy the tire swing, swim, or go bird watching on Lake Sharon, our private 3 acre lake. Walk and meditate in our Labyrinth. Enjoy stargazing most every night from anywhere on the ranch. Children love to catch and release our HUGE Bull frogs and toads, they love to catch crayfish and help turn them into a delicious meal. Nature walks on the seamlessly never ending grounds refresh the soul. 
The ranch is also a great place to bring your own mountain bikes, ATV’s, Razor’s, Rangers, dirt bikes and all your riding toys.

Of course, some people will like to simply relax, enjoying the scenery from the wrap around deck, or the fire-pit on the patio.

Activities that require to work with cattle (cattle drive, round-up and sorting) are not always available, depending on the time of the year you visit the ranch. Please, inquire for more information about these activities.

Our package offers 1 activity per day. This includes horse riding, UTV tours, shooting, and/ or fishing. Extra activities can be booked for an additional fee.



Riding
Step into your jeans and cowboy boots and hop into the saddle on one of our beautiful horses to take in the Arizona wilderness like never before. Experts and beginners alike will find everything they need to enjoy and take advantage of the lodge’s beautiful horses and professional equipment, miles of trails, and arena.

Lessons
A typical class is 1-2 hours long and will involve feeding and grooming the horses, proper saddling and riding techniques. When riders are comfortable, the ranch hands will have the guests ride in our pens or arena and begin taking them out on the smoother trails around the lodge.

Trails
The wide variety of trails will keep guests entertained for days exploring the beautiful country 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.
On our longer trails, lunch is packed to allow us to explore even further into the wilderness. We also offer an overnight trail (extra fee) where you ride through spectacular scenery and geological formations to a camp where you enjoy a campfire dinner and tent accommodations.
Shorter trails are 2-3 hours long, while extended trails are 5-8 hours.

* Note: gathering and sorting cattle in select dates only, see schedule below

*Cattle Drive/ Round Up - experienced riders only
Be a real cowboy for half a day or full day. Driving the cattle says it all. This is fun yet hard work. Work side by side with our experienced ranch hands. Riding, sorting and moving cattle from one pasture or place to another. *

*Cowboy for a Day - experienced riders only
The working the cattle often includes roundups*, branding, sorting*, weaning, vaccinating, castrating, moving to new pastures. For advanced riders, this is the ultimate experience. Be prepared for the possibility of long days and less guidance than other activities. Riders will be instructed on the activities 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 will sometimes have the opportunity to also take part in the cattle drive, and ultimately branding and other activities. It’s an experience not soon forgotten. This activity usually lasts from 5 to 8 hours.

Cowboy Clinics
Learn Cowboy skills from one of our experienced ranch hands – choose one or more subjects for a 1 to 2 hour class, including: western riding techniques, horse care and grooming, use and maintenance of western tack, and roping

Cowboy Skills Package (requires min. 3 days)
Learn a variety of cowboy skills from one of our experienced ranch hands – caring for horses, saddles and tack, saddling a horse, shoeing, roping, branding, Western riding, barrel & pole workouts in the arena, cattle management & care.

Team Penning / Sorting (extra fee)
Test your riding skills and “cow sense” in our arena. In penning teams of two, riders separate particular cows from a herd and move them into a penning area. Time is of the essence here. Penning and Sorting offer participants the opportunity to incorporate all of their working cow horse skills in a fast-paced, fun, team-oriented competition that embraces the roots of the western lifestyle.


Special Dates:

February 10th to 16th, 2025 - Couples Week
Celebrate love in a romantic setting with this unforgettable Valentine's getaway. Each stay includes:
* A dozen red roses waiting in your room
* A bottle of red wine from our Local Vineyard
* Chocolate-covered strawberries
Treat your special someone to a weekend of romance, relaxation, and breathtaking views.

April 3rd to 6th, 2025 - Cowboy Experience
Experience live as a true cowboy! This limited-space adventure includes:
* Live music under the stars
* Gathering and sorting cattle
* Rancher Q&A session
* Cowboy Jeopardy Night
* Karaoke Night
...and so much more!

May 10th to 12th, 2025 - Mother's Day Gardening Retreat
Celebrate moms in your life with a serene and inspiring gardening retreat! This special weekend is designed to rejuvenate and reconnect through the beauty of nature and the joy of growing.
This retreat includes:
* Hands-on gardening workshops, including creating your own herb or flower planter to take home
* Learn tips and tricks for growing vibrant flowers, veggies, and herbs
* Ranch-to-table meals crafted from fresh, local ingredients
* Relaxing wine tasting and pairing sessions
* Special pampering surprises to honor and celebrate all moms
Whether she's a seasoned gardener or just loves the outdoors, this is the perfect Mother's Day gift to nurture her soul and let her bloom.




Fishing
Take advantage of the beautiful three-acre Lake Sharon – stocked with bass, and Georgia giant perch and crappie – only a stone’s throw from the Ranch. As to the monster fish we’ve been catching – pictures speak more loudly than words. Catch and release.



UTV Tours
Sit back and enjoy UTV rides over the ridges hills and mountains to see spectacular scenery, geological formations and, on occasion, wildlife. Or, see ancient Native American sites and sites of the infamous Pleasant Valley War.



Hiking
Enjoy the spectacular scenery and geological formations hiking the numerous trails around the Ranch.



Archery/ Shooting (extra fee)
Archery, rifle, pistol, and sporting clay shotgun ranges are available to our guests. Beginners can learn the proper way to shoot a bow or fire a gun and experts can brush up on their aim before a hunt. All guests are required to take a brief course on gun safety before entering the shooting arena.

                                                Young area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	55	58	62	70	78	88	91	88	84	74	63	55
Average Low Temperature (°F)	22	24	27	31	37	45	56	55	47	36	26	21
Average High Temperature (°C)	13	14	17	21	26	31	33	31	29	24	17	13
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-6	-5	-3	-1	3	7	13	13	8	2	-3	-6
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	4	4	4	2	2	1	8	8	4	3	2	3

Source: NOAA


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

Average ratings from 9 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date mari-lou ziegenhagel 4/24/2019 charla fisher 11/16/2018 amélie pruegner 9/11/2017 sophie savoie 4/28/2017 fran curran 12/11/2012 christi bender 9/21/2012 liesbet den daas 4/8/2012 margaret schock 7/12/2011 sandra glatthard 12/2/2010

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
Discover a hideaway with all the comforts of home in a stunning mountain setting and spectacular scenery. Personalized hospitality at its finest, a stay at our Ranch is so much more than a getaway, so much more than a vacation at a common Country Inn or Dude Ranch; it is an unforgettable experience that ensures guests leave recharged, refreshed and with endless memories of their time spent in the Tonto National Forest. All of our rooms are unique and can be configured to best suits your lodging needs. A crib and pullout bed are available for families with young children. All Guest Rooms are private, quiet, smartly appointed in décor with quality furniture, fine linens, cozy blanket throws, and fresh and fluffy bed pillows. And, all of the beds (excepting some of the bunkbeds) have top-of-the-line pillow top mattresses. To maintain the natural environment around the lodge we are solar-powered and green friendly!
Free Wi-Fi internet is available to all guests, as well as a washer and dryer.
Note: absolutely no smoking inside! However, designated outdoor smoking areas are available.

The Rustler’s Roost, Wranglers Rack, and Bunkhouse Suite are in a separate bunkhouse building, located less than two hundred feet from the main lodge, situated closer to the horses and other livestock. Of course, all guests are encouraged to enjoy the main lodge amenities.
Rustlers Roost and Wranglers Rack are the only pet friendly rooms.

Wrangler Package Rooms



60 Caliber Room - Lodge Room
With two luxurious queen beds, a shared bathroom with tub/shower combination and French doors leading to the patio with outdoor furniture, it is a perfect place to relax and unwind. The room shares a bathroom with the Queen Anne Room.



Queen Anne Room - Lodge Room
Dream of the next day’s activities on a luxurious queen bed in our Queen Anne room. With French doors leading to a comfortable and shaded patio with outdoor furniture, direct access to campfire patio and outside dining area and a spacious closet, it is an ideal retreat. It shares a bathroom with the 60 Caliber Room.



Rustlers Roost - Bunk House Accommodations
Located in the bunkhouse apart from the main lodge, this room features a king size bed, private bathroom, an exterior entrance. This room is perfect for mom and dad, with access to the kid’s bunkhouse commons.



Wranglers Rack - Bunk House Accommodations
This room comes complete with your choice of two comfortable queen beds, or, upon request, up to three bunk-bed sets, as well as private bath and porch.

Cow Boss Package Rooms



Ambush Hill Loft - Lodge Room
The loft provides a direct view from a private balcony on to the infamous Ambush Hill. It features a comfortable king bed, a private bath, and a private balcony. A separate anteroom off the main bedroom contains two additional twin beds.



Lake View Retreat - Lodge Room
This room offers a relaxing escape with two luxurious queen beds, an en suite bathroom with tub/shower combination, a spacious closet, and private exterior entrance with patio furniture leading straight to the Lake Sharon.

Owner’s Hideaway Package Rooms



Deluxe Hideaway - Lodge Suite
This luxurious room is the most spacious at the lodge and is outfitted with everything that will truly make you feel like the owners. The room features a king size bed, French double doors out to a private redwood deck, stone fireplace, plasma screen TV, and a private bathroom. After a long day riding the trails, sit down and relax in the large soaking tub or oversized shower.

Buckaroo Package Rooms



Bunkhouse Commons - Bunk House Accommodations
The bunkhouse commons is the perfect room for your kids! Apart from the main lodge, this room comes complete with a full bed and twin bunk-bed set, as well as an additional two twin bunk-bed sets with trundles. This suite also offers a private bath a kitchenette, and a private porch., with one bathroom to share. These quarters are not of the same luxury standard as the lodge rooms, but still very clean and comfortable.

Room Occupancy
Single rooms are possible based on availability.
Triple occupancy might be possible based on availability. Please inquire.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day.
We serve delicious hearty country breakfast, western lunch, and dinner daily. All meals are served family style and prepared with love. Our weekly cowboy cookout is special – it includes a grilled to order 16oz Prime Rib Steak cooked to perfection and served with all the trimmings. We always finish with something sweet from our kitchen!

Sample lunches
- Hamburgers: grilled out back and served with salad.
- Chili dogs: These are not your typical hotdog. These giant dogs (1 pound) are grilled out back and topped with chili, cheese and onions.
- Pulled pork sandwich with slaw on homemade buns.
- Sliced brisket of beef sandwich on homemade buns and served with salad or slaw.
- Asian Chicken Salad: Grilled chicken breasts with fresh greens, fruits and nuts served with a ginger soy dressing.

Some of our adventurous guests need to take their lunch out on the trail – be it a horseback ride, jeep tour, or nature hike! Usually it would consist of something similar to: Shaved ham or turkey sandwich on homemade bread with all the trimmings, homemade potato salad or coleslaw, fresh veggies and brownies for dessert. Water and house beverages.

Sample dinners
- Grass Fed Beef from the Ranch (when available): Ask the Chef about availability and the particular cuts of beef that are available.
- Chicken Piccata: Chicken breast sautéed in butter with lemon and capers and served over angel hair pasta. Served with a fresh green salad, freshly baked French bread and dessert.
- Cherry Creek Chicken and Dumplings: Our version is a thick and creamy chicken stew served under a latticework of puff pastry. A mixed green salad with berries and goat cheese and dessert are included.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to special diets with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

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

Our program is very flexible -- make sure you talk to our ranch manager about what you would like to do during your stay!

Riding level
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 staff will help find the horse just right for you!

Riding Terrain
There are over 100 miles of trail on 55,000 acres of land around the lodge. This a variety allows us to keep guests entertained for days exploring the beautiful country around the lodge.
Some trails are gentle and wide enough for wheeled vehicles, while others are steep, winding paths that cut through the hills on their climb to the top. Some trails require crossing running water, and include relatively steep slopes.

Bringing your own horse
Guests are welcome to bring their own horses. If you do decide to bring your own horse, please inquire for more details. 

Animals and Wildlife
Kids, in particular, love our ranch animals. They are friendly and gentle, even most of our chickens. The goats love to be fed and petted. Our horses love to be brushed, fed and petted. Come and gather fresh eggs daily from our chickens, be sure to feed them too. Our cattle are visible most anywhere on the ranch. And then there is the local wildlife, – elk, mule deer, Coues deer, turkey, bobcat, coyotes, bear, javelina, mountain lion, coati, hawks and eagles. We don’t pet those.

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.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.