As someone who rides horses regularly, I was bummed to miss my weekly lesson due to an unexpected…read moretrip. Thankfully, Tucson Mountain Stables came through and helped me get my horse time in with a beautiful sunset ride. Booking was easy, and when my friend and I arrived, the horses were already tacked up and ready to go. I rode Beast, a stunning Percheron cross with a great temperament, and my friend rode Romeo, a Navajo horse who was equally lovely. Both horses were steady, well-cared for, and clearly comfortable on the trail. The views were absolutely breathtaking--everything was still green, and riding through the west side of town offered a perspective you just don't get from a car. Peaceful, scenic, and a perfect way to wind down the day. Whether you're a local rider or just visiting, I highly recommend this experience. I'll definitely be back!

This place was difficult to find - there is no signage until you are there. Recommend placing…read moresignage just before the White Stallion Resort and some signage on the way -- especially with the ongoing construction. My granddaughter and I had a pretty good ride. My saddle was leaning toward the left side. One of the guides tried to adjust it prior to leaving while I was still on the saddle so it wasn't as affective. Not being an experienced rider, I did not realize it was not adjusted correctly. The facility is a bit rough and the guide has only been riding for 4 months. There was very little information about safety, etc. I've been to one other horseback trail riding facility in Oro Valley and the experience was much better. It's a good deal but definitely very rustic (especially the port a potty "restroom").

one of the nicest experiences i've ever had. came here for my birthday trip and it was truly…read moreamazing! food was spectacular, service and hospitality was amazing, and scenery was so beautiful!

Just returned from my fifth trip. The other trips I would have given 5 stars, but this time did…read morenot live up to the other years. The food was not nearly as good as previous years. Italian night was not a great change. The food was mediocre. Go back to fajita night instead. I did a morning hike from 7-9:30am. Concerned about getting breakfast, I asked at the front desk the night before and they assured me I would be able to get breakfast when I got back. There was no food available before we left at 7, and when we returned all that was available was soggy cut fruit and tiny containers of cereal. Not enough for a hot day after a long hike. Even after a good lunch, I felt bad the entire day and had to cancel my afternoon ride because I felt like I might pass out. This ruined the whole rest of my day at a very expensive dude ranch. I didn't get to ride one of my days- at a dude ranch!- because of the lack of food available. When I complained, all I got was a "thanks for letting us know and we'll try to do better" response that felt insincere.

Amazing overall. The ranch itself is pristine; the arenas and round pens are dragged regularly, the…read morecross country track is maintained beautifully, and the stalls are picked once to twice daily. The covered arena is one of the largest I have seen, is lighted, and open late. Raven Ranch is right off the Pantano wash and offers amazing trail riding right from the property. The few trainers that work from Raven Ranch are very friendly and all treat the horses they train very well. Cows are even often on property to use in training with one of the trainers! The owners are very pleasant and are very active in ranch duties. While one mucks stalls, the other helps with maintenance of the property. Owners and trainers are immediately alerted of even the smallest issues with their horses so immediate action can be taken, if needed. They feed the highest quality hay at the weight recommended by the owner and even offer lunch, supplement, and medication feeding for a little extra per month. I would highly recommend Raven Ranch to anyone looking to board, learn dressage, cow work, or anything in between. Great place to be, great vibes, positive energy.

Raven Ranch is truly the most amazing facility I have experienced in Tucson. This place is the…read moreepitome of care, service, and community. The owners, Dave & Lydia are a godsend - They have created a tranquil and cohesive environment for both horse and human. The property and facilities are clean and well maintained. If something breaks they are prompt to fix it. If you have a special request or need assistance, they are always on site and more than happy to help. Everyone is treated equally with fairness and respect regardless of breed, skill level, or riding discipline. This is definitely a drama (and b.s.) free facility! The owners do not cut corners when it comes to supplying quality alfalfa and/or bermuda. Lydia feeds, cares for, and loves every horse as if they were her own. She is quick to recognize if something appears amiss with your horse and contacts you immediately. The individualized care provided is clearly reflected by the healthy and content horses that reside at Raven Ranch. You really need to experience Raven Ranch in person to get a true grasp of all that it has to offer; individual tack rooms, clean his/her bathrooms, oodles of wash racks, trail access, multiple round pens and arenas with lights for nighttime use, a large covered arena which is a rare commodity that cannot be overlooked during the peak summer sun (or rainy season), as well as a water misting system in the barns to help keep the horses cool. Honestly, the list of items that makes this place special is endless. To sum up Raven Ranch in 2 words ... It Rocks!

Great Horses and Company! Allen obviously cares for his horses, they are his own personal horses…read more The desert landscape is very nice, we even saw coyote. V.Z. Mn.

The horses are well cared for and Allen thoughtfully matches his horses to riders based on rider…read moreskill and experience. I've had great rides, good conversations, and enjoyed scenic views. I've come back to ride with them each year I've come to AZ.

We recently had the most wonderful trail riding experience at Rockin' Star Ranch with family…read moreranging in age from 2 to 72, and every single person had a fantastic time! The horses were thoughtfully matched to each rider's size and experience level, and it was clear how well cared for and well-trained they all are. The guides were absolutely phenomenal -- not only friendly and professional but they went above and beyond, even riding backwards at times to capture incredible photos and videos for us! As someone who tends to be nervous around horses, I was given the most patient, gentle, and intuitive horse, which made the entire experience enjoyable and safe. When my 2-year-old decided he had to ride with Mama AFTER everyone was saddled up, they went out of their way to help us rearrange and make it happen -- and I still felt safe and confident holding him, which speaks volumes about both the horses and the staff. We've been to Rockin' Star Ranch a few times over the years, and it's always been a special place for our family. In fact, our now 12-year-old once rode the same sweet pony on a lead ride that our 2-year-old recently did -- a true testament to the love, care, and longevity they provide for their animals. Every single interaction we've had with their staff has been warm, professional, and full of kindness and patience. They are always happy to teach, answer questions, and help everyone -- from total beginners to more experienced riders -- feel welcome and confident. I can't recommend Rockin' Star Ranch enough for families or anyone looking for a safe, fun, and memorable horseback riding experience!

After an extremely disappointing ride in Benson, with horses that could barely move I was beyond…read morefrustrated... and having only one day to myself in AZ while on a work trip I was feeling down. I called a bunch of places, and this one answered. Oh my word, this was exactly what I needed! Chris is an incredible, experienced, and funny guide, and the ride was FUN. He even took videos and photos and shared them after the ride. I lost my keys, and he helped me find them at the end of the ride, which was extra time and effort. Iris and Stormy are awesome horses, Stormy helped with finding the keys. I would say this is the single best trail ride I've ever done, and I ride A LOT but usually have a "no trail" rule--most trail rides are a snoozefest experience, and I would straight out recommend lessons with a trainer instead. Chris' place does fun trail rides, lessons, parties, you name it.... And such great horses. Can't recommend them enough!

I rode with my daughter out there, CJ was our girl and she was the BEST. It was soooo good and sooo…read morerelaxing. I thought it had closed, so very relieved it is still open and we'll go out and ride when I'm out there. There's also a great Mexican restaurant out that way... laid back and GREAT. I'm so happy Way Out West, is ALIVE!

I got a Groupon for a horse back ride for 4 for my wife's birthday. It sounded like fun. And this…read moreplace far exceeded my expectations. I fell in love with this place and we definitely will be going back. Our trail leads were awesome. Our horses (and my mule) were great. And the views of the mountains were beautiful. Be warned. It is out in the middle of nowhere. But worth the drive. Good for beginners and experienced riders. Very friendly and helpful.

I've ridden horses off and on throughout my life, but never with proper instruction--basically, the…read moreonly advice I ever got was "don't fall off." That all changed when I moved to Arizona and, after doing some trail rides, decided two years ago that I really wanted to learn how to ride. That's when I found Heart of the Horse, and it's been an incredible experience ever since. Lessons here are one-on-one and thoughtfully structured, blending arena work with trail riding--or both, depending on what you're working on. The property has its own scenic trails where you can walk, trot, and canter, plus access to extended trails along a wash for longer rides during lessons. You can choose between English or Western disciplines, and every instructor I've worked with has been kind, knowledgeable, and exceptionally patient--especially appreciated since I started at age 39! What really sets Heart of the Horse apart is how much they prioritize horsemanship. Each lesson begins with grooming and tacking up your horse, which I genuinely enjoy. It's a refreshing change from typical trail rides where you just hop on and go. Taking that time allows you to bond with your horse, and I love being able to spend extra moments with them before and after lessons to say thank you--they really do carry us around with so much grace. The horses themselves are absolutely wonderful, each with their own unique, quirky personality. And the ranch? It's peaceful and shaded, with a cooler, breezier feel compared to the rest of Tucson. Lessons are offered in the mornings and evenings on weekdays and in the mornings on Saturdays--I personally love the early morning sessions. If you're in Tucson and want to truly learn how to ride, not just sit in the saddle, I can't recommend Heart of the Horse enough. It's been such a rewarding, joyful journey.

I cannot say enough good things about this place! I'm a…read moremiddle-aged man, who has always wanted to learn how to ride horses, and I finally took the plunge to commit to ten lessons of Western riding. The ranch is beautiful, and just five minutes from my house. The horses are beautiful, healthy, and well-cared-for. David, the owner, Jordan, and all of the instructors are wonderful people and excellent at teaching you all that you need to know. If you live on the east side and want to learn to ride, this is the place to go.

Rose took me and my husband on a wonderful ride! It was my husband's first time to ride horses and…read morethey are great teachers also! Highly recommend!

What a fun time riding with Catalina Riding Club!! We had the honor of having Mel (Melvin) as our…read morewrangler and he was awesome, very experienced and a great leader. We rode as a family (myself, my partner, Tom, and our two kids) and Mel made everyone feel comfortable, inclusive of being provided nice cold water during the warm temps. We opted for the ride from the Stables, at sunset, which was perfect for us as we had mixed levels of riding experience in our group and it was good to be a little closer to civilization. But when we are back in Tucson, you better believe we will ride with Catalina again and take the remote desert ride to experience more of that incredible Tucson charm. I'd also like to give a shout out to riding club owners, Rose and Bob, who were incredibly helpful and super responsive before, during and after booking. Not only were they awesome to work with in regards to finding a good day/time for our ride, and finding the right horse for each of us, but also so fantastic to offer up other activities for us to do while we were in Tucson. Our only issue with this experience... it had to end and that made us sad. We loved it so much and can't wait to ride again with Rose and Bob and their team of wranglers and horses at Cataline Riding Club! 100/10 recommend... so call them when you're in Tucson and get ready to enjoy the heck out of good people, great horses and amazing landscapes/vistas (and occassional cool critter or two)! :-)

I have been to this park at least three times before, hiking short loops in the afternoon…read more Yesterday I visited the park again to hike a larger loop and to finish at dusk. It was Sunday, 19 January, at 3pm. The large parking lot was full and people were still getting started, cycling or hiking with small children and/or dogs. There was quite a bit of dog poop in the parking lot. I bagged my dog's poop and a few other dogs' poop before starting. None of the trails are difficult or long. I used six trails to create an 8- mile loop that took us three hours. I was interested in the Black rock loop. The namesake rock should be called called Butt crack rock. This park is free to use from dawn to dusk and is dog friendly. There are two porta pots but no water station. And no matter how far away from the trailhead you go, you will always see homes in the area. A sign in the parking lot warns users to lock vehicles and to secure valuables

Can't believe I've never been to this trail. It was a perfect day to be outside so we took…read moreadvantage. The highlight of our walk was seeing a desert tortoise and rattlesnake. Very cool! Easy trails for walking or mountain biking. We will be back soon!