RIO RANCHO VERDE
a place surrounded by beauty
When you're not out on your horse blazing a new trail or relaxing around the ranch we’ll be glad to recommend local activities or authentic Arizona places to visit.
our wildlife neighbors
We live in a remote and rural location. We respect the wildlife who's home we share.
Keep an eye out for coyote, bobcat, javelina, deer, birds of prey, quail...
Some are elusive, some can be spotted from horseback or around the ranch. Dawn or dusk are the best times for sightings.
HIKING
Hike to the rare double crested saguaro, botanists have only documented 2,000 throughout the Sonoran Desert region. One of them is right down the road in an incredibly beautiful and scenic canyon.
Did you know an arm of a saguaro takes 75 years to grow?
There's many hiking options availeble from easy to challenging.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Bring your mountain bike for some extra fun.
Novice and pros travel from miles around to ride on over 225 miles of marked trails in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, located within minutes of the ranch. We'll be happy to point you to the road less traveled.
VERDE RIVER Wild horses
A sighting of the wild horses of the Verde River is definitely a bucket list item!
A 6 mile ride through sandy washes, or a 20 minute drive, takes you to one of the few places left in the country where truly wild horses live. They roam through the Verde River and are often sighted from the banks.
Be sure to take your camera!!
UNPARALLELED DESERT WILDERNESS
"Rio Rancho Verde was more than we could ever have hoped for. You book for the beautiful property, and promise of sunshine. In addition to those, we were met with incredible kindness and love for life, by Carmela, Joe, and their returning community of guests".
".....Retreating into the wilderness, just my horse and I, was one of the most powerful and spiritual moments I've ever experienced....."