Scottsdale Features
MacDonald's Ranch
The weather is cooling down as ideas for seasonal activities are appearing. Let the cool air drift you away from city life to the peaceful and serene landscape of the Sonoran Desert. Explore and take in the view on horseback while riding through saguaros and possibly spotting desert wildlife at MacDonald’s Ranch.
Take part in a Group, Private, or Moonlight Horseback Ride or a Stagecoach Ride and experience a travel like no other. In the group rides, families and friends will be led through the desert with the direction of a guide. Tours can be reserved for an hour, an hour and a half, or two hour rides before or during sunset. Group Rides are offered year-round, and previous riding experience is not required.
For a Private Ride, offered November through April, riders with previous riding experience spend their tour maintaining or improving their riding skills while learning about the terrain and wildlife or enjoying the views without the presence of other guests. This tour is offered for one hour, an hour and a half, or two hour sessions.
Moonlight Horseback Rides are great for special occasions and are offered during select months. These hour or hour and a half long rides begin as the sun sets. Your group’s wrangler will guide you through the desert as the moon rises over the area, casting a full moonlit road. This tour is only offered four days each month so riders can see the full moon in its peak stage.
Guests looking for an equally thrilling but different experience should partake in a Stagecoach Ride. Groups of 5 or fewer can explore the desert with an expert driver navigating them amongst mountains, natural foliage, and plants. This option is ideal for groups of teens, families with small children, or people who want to enjoy the horse riding experience from afar.
Reservations are required for all guests, but if someone in your group is too young or not ready for the horse interaction, a walk-in petting zoo and games are provided to entertain while you wait.
Riders are highly advised to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. A hat and sunscreen are recommended for tours in warmer weather, and dressing in layers is recommended for cooler months. A bottle of water is required for all riders, and phones and small cameras are allowed, but bags of any kind are prohibited.
Curious about prices? Here’s the breakdown:
Group Rides
Regular/Sunset
1 Hour: $75/$95 (6+, year-round))
1.5 Hours: $105/$125 (6+, year-round)
2 Hours: $130 (8+, only November through April)
Private Rides
Available November through April
1 Hour: $110 (6+)
1.5 Hours: $140 (6+)
2 Hours: $170 (8+)
Moonlight Rides
Available Select Days throughout the Month
1 Hour: $110 (8+)
1.5 Hours: $140 (8+)
Stagecoach Rides
Book with the Horseback Ride Session
45 Minutes: $300 for groups 5 or less
$40 for each additional guest (Max 8 guests)
Review provided by The Scottsdale Living – RipLey Simone Kennebrew.
RipLey Simone is currently a senior at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University
Photos via MacDonald’s Ranch
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