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Thank you to White Stallion Ranch for hosting our stay at your beautiful luxury family-friendly dude ranch in Tucson Arizona. All opinions and photographs of the property are ours.
Saturday we rode off into the sunset for another adventure.
Actually, we got up super early in the morning, and we were off and driving to Arizona at 6 am. The whole riding off into the sunset sounds so much better, though. After a pretty quick 7 hour drive (we stopped five times, don’t ask) we drove through the gates of White Stallion Ranch in Tucson Arizona. Ever since we rode horses in Hawaii a couple of months ago, we have all wanted to spend more time riding. That was Pete’s first time riding a horse, and I was so happy when he shared how much he loved it. I was even a little surprised, and I wasn’t sure what he would think. I’ve been riding here and there since I can remember, and Maddie and Ashley took lessons for a few years when they were younger. This was also a new thing for Emmy because she has never ridden without someone holding her lead.
Em was so excited about everything here at the Dude Ranch. She had been telling people we were going since the day she found out… and she even talked Pete and me into buying her a whole new wardrobe for the trip. Thankfully cowgirl clothes are a big thing at Target, so that was taken care of really quickly. PS. Target is not a sponsor of this post; I just had to share in case you have a little one at home too that loves this type of clothing.
Speaking of Emmy, she was our self-proclaimed tour guide around the ranch, so I’ll be sharing a lot of her thoughts while we are here.
While you are on the ranch, you feel like you are far away from the everything and in a different world. Gone are the pressures of everyday life. It was like we all did a heavy exhale as soon as we passed through the gates and saw nothing but mountains and cactus. In reality, you are about 10 minutes from all the modern conveniences that you could need. Although you really won’t need anything. Since this is an all-inclusive resort, you never need to leave.
Our first two days were filled with riding, eating, relaxing and fun!
Since we arrived mid afternoon on Saturday, we were able to all go on a slow ride for almost two hours into the foothills. Everyone regardless of past riding experience goes on a slow ride first, and then you are tested for the ability to handle the fast rides. You don’t have to have much experience to qualify for the faster rides; you just have to know basic riding commands for safety. You also have to be over 8 to go on those rides. The first day Emmy, Pete, and Ash went on the slow ride and also the sunset ride. The pictures that Pete took for me from the sunset ride are just breathtaking.
Earlier in the day when we all went riding, we were each introduced to our horse for the week. They try to pair you with a horse for the entire time of your stay which is cool. They also match you to the horse that fits your riding experience and needs.
I love that Pete still wore a CrossFit shirt with his cowboy hat!
I stayed behind to take pictures during the golden hour. That is my absolute favorite time to take pictures, and it was even better than usual because of the golden color of the hills and buildings.
During our visit to the ranch, we are staying in a family suite. It consists of a bedroom for the girls with three twin sized beds and a bedroom for Pete, and I with a huge king sized bed. There is also a bathroom off our bedroom for us all to use. We have found that we are not spending much time in our suite at all because there is just so much to do on the ranch. To facilitate the true relaxing nature of the ranch, there are no TV’s in the rooms. Instead, there is a TV in the lobby for everyone to enjoy. However, there is really good internet throughout the ranch!
Here is a quick look at our suite…
Meals are all served in the dining hall.
They ring a huge bell when the meals are ready for the full dude ranch experience, and they also share the times at check in. Throughout the day there are always snacks and drinks available. Nobody goes hungry here! The food is pretty fantastic too. Very fresh and homemade tasting. They have been more than accommodating with our vegan and vegetarian food needs too. They pride themselves on being able to cater to the needs of those with special dietary concerns. They even had almond milk for me to add to my coffee each morning. You guys all know how important my morning coffee is. I’ve been drinking it on our front porch… I need to remember to get a picture of that to share tomorrow because it is just about the most peaceful scene ever!
Here is the dining room and a picture of my breakfast yesterday. That’s a vegetable breakfast burrito. Delish!
In the afternoon we went swimming. The water was the perfect temperature to cool us all off from the Arizona summer heat. We’ve had highs over 100 degrees since we have been there, but the ranch handles this perfectly. The days are broken up with early rides and late afternoon rides to miss the hot mid days. The mornings and evenings here have brought us perfect weather!
I was hoping to put my feet up and rest a bit since it was a Sunday afternoon, but this little dame below had other plans. She wanted to head to the petting zoo… yep, they have one of those too!
They have the sweetest animals here, and they are so well cared for.
I finally got to kick back and take in the sights while these two went off to explore again…
Here is our day One and two recaps:
I’ll be back with day three tomorrow!
See our full White Stallion Dude Ranch adventure here.
Horseback riding out there sounded like fun. That sunset is so pretty! It’s nice that they have a petting zoo at the ranch!
Wow this looks like so much fun! Would love to visit a dude ranch at some point myself. What an experience!
I have never been to a ranch before, but this one looks amazing. I would love to visit there sometime. I’m not much for riding horses, but I’d still go there. That place you stayed looks so amazing!
I would love to go to a dude ranch one day. It sounds so fun.
Ya know, I have actually never been to a dude ranch. But this looks like so much fun! I need to go!
I have never been to a dude ranch. It sounds like a vacation that my husband would really enjoy.
I just love, love, love your pictures. What a fun escape, I would love to have done that when my daughter was younger. She would still enjoy it now though!!
I love this post! I love visiting Arizona and my daughter is a horseback rider, yet we have never visited a dude ranch. I am putting this on our list of places to visit!
My girls love horses. They would absolutely love this place! Her cowgirl clothes are adorable too. I love all the photos.
I live in Arizona and I think I’ve gone horseback riding twice! I have actually not explored Tucson all that much, that was in my backyard I really do need to go check it out.
Oh my gosh I love her little outfit and her cowboy boots! What a fun place to visit my kids would love a dude ranch!
We live next door in Nevada, yet have never experienced a dude ranch. I think it would make for a very fun family vacation.
Looks like you had a really awesome time! Can we just talk about the blanket and sheets set for the guest beds? How beautiful and so fitting with the theme!
Wow my 7 yr old daughter would love to go to a dude ranch! Looks like so much fun!
I’ve never been on a dude ranch before – but you guys look like you were having a LOT of fun!
I love everything about this place! How much fun did you guys have?! I don’t know, they may have to kick me out because by the looks of everything I wouldn’t want to leave. Haha.
Never been, looks fun! i also LOVED that you put a lot of your daughters perspective given she looked forward to it so much. makes it more believeable when my kids hear about it since its from the kids perspective! Great Idea
It gives you that “home-y” feel and it’s really nice and relaxing there! The rooms are spacious and I love how they designed it, including the bathrooms. The ranch is the perfect place to spend some quiet time with the family! No wonder you loved it there!
wow, this place looks amazing. I’ve never been to Arizona before, but we’re planning a massive road trip. Must look into this place.
This looks like so much fun!! I would love to go to a dude ranch! What a great adventure.
I would love to go to a dude ranch. I think my kids would love riding horses. We have not experiencing horseback riding yet!
Oh my goodness!! That looks like so much fun, I just added it to my must travel to list!
I have never been in ranch before and I would love to go there
She is so cute! I love the idea of a dude ranch vacation! I bet my girls would love that!
What an amazing experience. I would love to ride horses and enjoy all that a dude ranch has to offer. It looks like a lot of fun.
What a great place to visit! I know my kids would love it if we ever get the chance to go out that way.
OMG those kids must have been in heaven! A dude ranch provides so much for kids to do– good wholesome fun!! I love that you did this with them.
Oh this looks like a blast. I was at a dude ranch in Colorado years ago, just for the day to go riding and loved it. It’s closed now so thanks for sharing the info about this one, would be great to bring the kids.
This looks like such a fun time! I am glad you all were able to attend!
What a fun time! I would love to do something like this with my family!
What a great idea for a vacation! I love her outfit, being dressed the part really makes the experience.
No, we’ve never been on a dude ranch but you’ve convinced me we should take a trip! So fun! And the cowgirl clothes – so cute!!
I love horseback riding, and used to go as a kid all the time. This dude ranch is perfection. There is so much to do for the whole family. I love your little model, btw. Looks like she was having a fun time being a fashionable cowgirl.
I grew up in places like this Dude Ranch, so it’s second nature. However, it is such a great experience and every kid should have it at least once!
I’m loving how much horseback riding you’ve done recently! Perfect practice and gearing up for your dude ranch adventure. It sounds like so much fun! I’m a city slicker, but I would love to go on an adventure.
Is that cactus purple? My boys would love visiting a ranch and riding horses.
I never been in a ranch before, but after your description I would like to go tomorrow straight away 🙂
Really nice and chilling place where to spend time with your family !
P.s. great pictures
I would love to have a ranch vacation and do some horse riding too. sounds like a lovely vacation you guys experienced.
This made me go back to the time when I was a little girl and my dad would take me horseback riding. It was such a fun time! Your photos are so nice, especially the sunset shots. I love sunsets!
Being there was such a great experience looks like I want to visit there
Looks like you really had a great vacation. For sure you enjoy your stay there. I want to visit there soon.
Tucson is so much fun! You have the cutest cowgirl I have ever seen!
I never been in ranch before and I think that is so much fun.
Wow, that is an amazing place. A great place to take a family. I grew up riding horses and would love to have that experience again. The food and rooms look top quality.
What a fun adventure for the whole family. I love Em’s smile on her face. She looks so happy. I also love her outfit.
Awesome vacation for you and the family. Your daughter looks so adorable in those cowboy boots and hat. It sure looks she enjoyed the experience.
We have a passion for travel that we hope to pass down to our children, so any family friendly places go straight to our bucket list! This is going to the top! It looks gorgeous and love that there’s so much to do!
This looks like so much fun! I know my kids would love a trip like this. I’m going to have to take a closer look 🙂
Awesome photo journal and description! I’ve always wanted to go to a ranch.
Lucky packet
This trip looks like a ton of fun, I love horses and cowboy boots so this is perfect for me! xo