My daughters and I have done horseback riding 4-5 times in Arizona and always tried a new place each year. Trailhead ranch was hands down my favorite. For an extra $60 we were able to make the ride private which was completely worth it. The horses were well trained, better than other ranches, the trail as a bit more advanced, we went up a ledge and through cave creek (which was dry), and Russ and stormy were phenomenal guides. Location was also very easy to find. This will absolutely be our go to place in the future. read more

Went on a ride with Russ today. I highly recommend this ride while in the area. He was very kind and knowledgeable. Great horses!

Had a such great ride with Stormy she was so kind and encouraging, we went in a big group of girls and Russ was rude, disrespectful, and aggressive when guiding us with what to do. He also would tell us one thing then yell if we were doing exactly what he just told us to do. He made comments underneath his breath and all 7 girls felt as if he was unkind and made everyone nervous/anxious. I would recommend watching the condescending attitude because it was unprovoked and unnecessary. Every one of us was listening and ready to learn for the safety of be the horses, our surroundings, and all of us while riding. The ride was beautiful and we had a lot of fun, would have been even better if Russ would have had more patience and not been condescending So from all 7 girls, thank you Stormy for being so kind to all of us and guiding us we really enjoyed you and the ride! All of the horses were beautiful and so easy to work with. read more

Sweet getaway through a trail in the desert. Personalized. Horses were calm and easy to ride. We enjoyed it.

My wife, daughter and I had a great ride with Russ. I've been on half a dozen rides at other places in the past, and Russ was the best guide yet. He's very knowledgeable and gave us way more coaching about horses than we've ever had in the past. It was fun and a learning experience and not just a slow walk on numb horses. Since we showed we could handle it, Russ had us trot and canter, and he even got photos and video that he shared with us at the end. read more

Had a great ride with Russ and my girlfriend. although we didn't see any rattlesnakes to my disappointment I did learn a few new tricks about horses and had a beautiful desert ride. read more

Trailhead Ranch - Cave Creek - Horseback Riding Near Me - Cave Creek, Arizona

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Just an awesome day from start to finish. We enjoyed ourselves so much we came back two days later to do it again. The horses are well taken care of the trails are breath taking and Russ is a great guide and horseman. He's also got some great jokes. read more

Great riding experience with Russ! He guided my daughter and me on a scenic and challenging desert/mountain ride one morning. Not only was he an excellent guide of the desert - sharing his knowledge of plants and history, he was also very helpful giving us riding tips to improve our riding. We had a wonderful experience! read more

We went on a ride today with Russ and had an amazing time! Very Covid safe and Russ was a blast to ride with and taught us a great deal about horses and the area. Also met Stormy who was also super friendly and helpful! Our horses were just absolutely awesome! I can't wait to go back for a moonlight ride in the future! read more

Russ was a great trail guide! The trail ride was beautiful, and such a fun time. The views of all the Saguaros were amazing. Highly recommend! read more

Trailhead Ranch - Cave Creek - Horseback Riding Near Me - Cave Creek, Arizona

This was my second trip to trailhead ranch and second ride with Russ. My first ride with Russ was 12 years ago and was on a family trip to AZ with my parents. This trip was with my new wife on our honey moon. Although I had only met him once before, I immediately felt like I was chatting with an old friend when we showed up for our ride. Russ has an awesome ranch full of animals that are clearly happy and well treated. We met his Emu, goats and dogs in addition to the horses that we rode. The ride started at about 6 pm and we were fortunate to have a beautiful sunset on our ride. Russ knows everything about the property, the history and is a great teacher and story teller that made me and my wife feel super comfortable on the ride. The sunset was amazing and the laughs and stories shared were something's that I'll never forget. Please trust me and visit Russ the next time you are in Cave Creek or Scottsdale and looking to ride horses. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Look at the pictures for proof! read more

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I had a super time & overall excellent experience on my private ride with my Friend and Russ, the Owner of the Ranch! Russ and Stormy were so welcoming and paired us up with very sweet, well trained horses and took us on a 90 min. trail ride through a beautiful part of Cave Creek! I highly recommend Russ and his incredible Ranch to anyone and I really look forward to returning soon! read more

My daughter and I had a great time...the guides were knowledgeable and did a great job...i would recommend this family operated operation if you are planning on horseback riding while in the area read more

Terrific experience! Russ, the owner, took my husband and I and our two kids out on a 1.5 hour ride and we loved every minute of it. Our kids are 4 and 8 and I was worried about how they would do on the horses since neither of them had ridden before and they were both a bit nervous. My four-year-old didn't want to ride by herself (and I wasn't ready for her to either!), so she rode with Russ on his horse just using the saddle pad, and did great! My eight-year-old rode on his own horse and also did great. The horses were so steady and calm, but not sleepy - totally trustworthy. The ride was beautiful and it was an experience to remember. We highly recommend!! read more

REMARKABLE experience!!! I've rode before as a teen and was a little nervous about attempting it again as a adult however Russ completely took care of that by pairing me up with the right horse. Not only did we arrive unannounced but after he had already completed his tours for the day and he still didn't turn us away; better yet he created the best experience anyone may want to have on a trail! Highly recommend and will definitely do it again when I'm back in Arizona! read more

What an awesome ride I had with Russ! I was in Phoenix for a conference and couldn't leave Arizona without a ride in the desert mountains. I did a solo ride in the late afternoon up into the mountains for a terrific sunset experience. Cave Creek is the place to go as it is well protected by both a national and state park, which Trailhead Ranch abuts. Russ is a stellar guide. He knows so much about the landscape and history and is so willing to share his knowledge. The horses are sure footed for a mountain excursion and are very good at reading their riders. I'm looking forward to going back next year and hoping to get my sister, who lives in LA, out with me. read more

No doubt the best place to ride in the area. Russ is an impressive operator from start to finish. I don't know if he's better with people or horses, tough call. Amazing guy, amazing place. read more

This is a must do while in the area! Russ, the owner, is so genuine and friendly you can't help but want to chuck it all and become a cowboy! The horses are beautiful and the scenery is majestic. read more

Trailhead Ranch - Cave Creek - Horseback Riding Near Me - Cave Creek, Arizona

The best riding experience I have ever had. Russ, the owner has an unending love and passion for horses which is quickly apparent as he organically shares his knowledge. Whether you are a beginner or expert your ride will be memorable. As a fairly inexperienced rider I was completely at ease to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We are going back end of March when the cacti begins to bloom!!! Book it!!! read more

This was such a great experience! Russ was lovely and kind and really made the whole adventure an amazing one. He truly cares about his horses and nature. I can't wait to come back and ride again!!! If you want to learn more about riding and this lovely Arizona landscape this is the place to go. Thanks again Russ and Sammy for a wonderful ride and lesson. read more

A wonderful place! I enjoyed a 1.5 hour private ride and it was amazing. The guide took his time working with me on my horsemanship and pointing out cool spots of history along the desert trail. He was great at his job and his horses were amazing. The rate was fair and the experience was amazing! Will definitely return next time I am in the area! read more

An extremely wonderful experience for me being a first time horseback rider at at 66 years old. As Russ gave me an excellent pre-ride education, plus continued with my education along the way. Obviously I was still apprehensive starting off. After 15 minutes or so I was completely comfortable in the saddle. The two hour ride went by too fast, as I was completely immersed and relaxed to enjoy the beautiful surroundings! Russ's conveying his extreme knowledge of horses before and during the ride made me feel like a real horseback rider, not a novice first timer. read more

Awesome experience!!! Russ the owner & guide is super nice, experienced. Great guide. Horses were wonderful and well cared for. We were beginners & wonderful time. Must do In Scottsdale. read more

For a first timer, Russ was amazingly patient, encouraging, and extremely knowledgeable. This place is beautiful. He not only reads horses well, but people too. Our 1 1/2 hour ride took us on a beautiful trail and Russ pointed out not just the vegetation in the area, but also some history. His passion for what he does shows in his enthusiasm as our guide. His horses are gorgeous. I hope when I come back to Arizona, to visit Russ again for a longer ride. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you so much Russ for a wonderful experience. read more

Russ and his family of wonderful horses helped me to have a fantastic three-hour ride on December 2. It was raining when we first started, and Russ offered to let me out of our appointed ride, but I was game and, thankfully, Russ and his horses were as well. It was an amazing ride through a pristine forest in Maricopa County. Just amazing vistas and it was so pleasurable to be on such a well-trained horse. Thank you Russ and Royal! You made my day. read more