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Activities at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona
Activities

Unforgettable Tucson Activities Await You

Tucson's boundless natural splendor provides the sublime setting for Tanque Verde Ranch's carefully curated roster of authentic desert adventures and luxury ranch experiences. From locally-inspired artistic pursuits like watercolor workshops and metalsmithing to adrenaline-fueled thrills including mountain biking, axe throwing, and Jeep tours across rugged terrain. Discover your unique Tucson passion!
Walk Ride at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Walk Ride

Begin your horsemanship journey with a 15-minute primer on basic equestrian skills to build confidence. Then, embark on a leisurely one-hour ride traversing mountain trails adorned with iconic saguaro cacti and prickly pear blankets. This guided Sonoran Desert exploration provides an up-close perspective of the region's captivating flora and fauna. 

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

Lope Ride at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Lope Ride

While loping alongside your faithful steed, glimpse native wildlife like soaring Harris' hawks, azure herons gliding effortlessly, or perhaps an elusive bobcat. This invigorating ranch ride evokes the romantic spirit of the Old West as you and your horse canter across the picturesque desert landscape bathed in warm southwestern hues.

Please note guests need to pass the lope check prior to participating in the lope ride. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

 

Breakfast Ride at Tucson, Arizona

Breakfast Ride

An elegant ranch morning begins with a scenic trail ride climbing rolling hills studded with towering cacti. Your reward? Arriving at the Old Homestead for a sumptuous fireside breakfast featuring signatures like blueberry pancakes, ranch-style eggs, and crispy bacon - all cooked fresh before your eyes. 

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

Sunrise & Sunset Rides at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Sunrise & Sunset Rides

Nature's most dramatic hours set the stage for these special 1.5-hour excursions. Greet the dawn astride your steed as the inky desert awakens with rosy warmth. Or bid farewell to the sun's radiant glow at dusk as twilight drapes a kaleidoscope of violets and midnight blues across the serene landscape.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

Basic Lessons at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Horsemanship Fundamentals

Patient experts will guide you step-by-step in mounting, dismounting, establishing proper posture, negotiating turns and stops, and mastering the rhythmic walking gait. Build confidence with these essential skills before embarking on trail adventures.
Lope Check at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Lope Check

Put your hard-earned horsemanship to the test! This evaluative session assesses your capabilities for safely executing the loping gait on our trails. A quick evaluation helps you make any needed adjustments after demonstrations at a walk and controlled lope. Passing qualifies you for our breathtaking loping rides across the Sonoran landscape.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

 

Intermediate Horsemanship at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Intermediate Horsemanship

Progress your riding finesse by mastering intricate maneuvers like guiding your horse through barrel and cones at all gaits. After reviewing Western fundamentals, you'll synchronize with your steed under the instructor's watchful eye before experiencing independent loping. A pivotal step toward advanced trail skills.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

Horsemanship Fundamentals at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Horsemanship Fundamentals

Refine your rapport with your noble steed through this pivotal progression in equestrian mastery. Having solidified the basics, now is the time to instill that subtle yet profound connection - the keystone of exceptional horsemanship. Seasoned instructors will help you elevate skills like impeccable balance, elegant posture, and deft control through intuitive reining and horse communication.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

Team Penning at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Team Penning

An entertaining ranch adventure that celebrates the collaborative spirit between human and horse. In this timed competition rooted in historic cattle herding traditions, strategically assembled teams of 3-6 riders communicate seamlessly with their mounts. The bonding experience builds as you deftly guide a small herd through an ingenious obstacle course culminating in guiding them into one of three penning areas.
Saguaro Adventure Ride at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Saguaro Adventure Ride

An epic half-day odyssey awaits seasoned equestrians! After sunrise, embark on a trail ride ascending into the spectacular Rincon Mountains amid stately saguaros. Drink in sweeping desert vistas as you traverse narrow pathways conquering dramatic elevation changes. Refuel with a trailside gourmet repast— summer and winter we offer a bag of breakfast including a bagel, granola bar, fruit and juice.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time; long pants and closed-toe shoes are required to participate.

Watercolor Workshop at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Watercolor Workshop

Phyllis Gasparro helps awaken your creative spirit in this enriching workshop. Whether rendering from a template or giving life to botanical or landscape sketches, you'll master vibrant watercolor techniques. Watch in wonder as your personal masterpiece blossoms with expert guidance in this culturally enriching experience welcoming artists of all ages with parental guidance.
Jeep Adventure at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Jeep Adventure

Thrill seekers and history buffs alike will delight in these open-air Jeep tours illuminating the Southwest's stories. Our deeply knowledgeable guides will captivate you with insights into the desert's geology, indigenous flora and fauna, and incredible natural landmarks as you traverse rugged landscapes. 
Hiking at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Hiking

Traverse iconic Sonoran Desert trails alongside seasoned guides or ascend into the peaks of the Rincon and Catalina ranges. Well-maintained pathways showcase flourishing wildlife, unique cactus groves,and other splendors customized for all skill levels.
Mountain Biking at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Mountain Biking

Cycle through an otherworldly paradise aboard one of our diligently maintained full-suspension mountain bikes. Our 600-acre desert paradise offers miles of professionally designed single-track trails tailored for cyclists of all experience levels. Prefer to explore further afield? Exhilarating excursions traverse the most breathtaking regional paths amidst Tucson's stunning scenery.Waterbottles provided.
Swimming & Hot Tub at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Swimming & Hot Tub

Embrace a restorative aquatic sanctuary offering both shaded and sun-drenched indulgences. Our sparkling indoor pool and hydro-massage hot tub jets provide a deliciously cool respite after adventurous days in the Arizona warmth. Or bask outdoors in our luxurious pool and hot tub oasis, complemented by a serene wading area for our smallest ranch hands amidst cinematic mountain views.
Yoga at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Yoga

Achieved through indoor or outdoor practice, our yoga offerings provide the path to holistic rejuvenation through controlled breath and movement. Nature's radiant gifts of purifying desert air, vivid colors, and transcendent quiet create the sublime setting for strengthening body and spirit in unison.
Tennis & Pickleball at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Tennis & Pickleball

Prepare to elevate your game amidst the spectacular scenery of our two impeccably groomed desert courts. The pickleball enthusiast will delight in our well-appointed dedicated courts featuring standard nets and artificial turf - a perfect setting to progress your skills through friendly open play and exhibition rounds whether age 5 or 85.
Fishing at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Fishing

Discover the tranquil joys of a timeless outdoor ritual as you cast your line into our pristine 1.5-acre Lake Corchran, teeming with abundant bluegill sunfish, large mouth bass, and channel catfish. Whether an experienced angler or novice, our fully stocked and aerated catch-and-release lake provides ample opportunities to test your skills against these feisty freshwater favorites. All equipment provided.
Archery at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Archery

Tap into your primal instincts and experience the transcendent discipline of archery firsthand in our exceptional instructional environment. Calibrated distances from 15 to 30 feet offer an engaging yet gentle challenge for archers ages 7 years and older and skill levels. Spend an enriching afternoon connecting mind, body and spirit through the friendly camaraderie of target practice on our bucolic desert archery range.
Slingshot Rentals at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Slingshot Rentals

Embrace a new point of view from the open-air cockpit of an agile two-seat Polaris Slingshot roadster delivered directly to the ranch through our partners at Tucson Adventure Rentals. Cruise downtown taking in Tucson's vibrant cityscapes, or carve an adventurous path up the winding roads of Mount Lemmon as you explore the boundless Sonoran terrain from this unique vantage point.
UTV Rentals at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

UTV Rentals

For those who crave an opportunity to blaze their own path through the rugged desert terrain, our Tucson Adventure Rentals partnership provides access to powerful Polaris RZR ultra-terrain vehicles. Opt for an expertly guided tour to remote areas like Redington Pass and scenic Avra Valley, or forge your own self-driven expedition across the sweeping landscapes beyond our boundaries.
Fitness Center at Tucson, Arizona

Fitness Center

Maintain your wellness routine without leaving our serene ranch sanctuary thanks to the state-of-the-art amenities of our 24/7 fitness center conveniently located by the pool and spa sanctuary. Whether focused on cardiovascular conditioning or strength training, you'll find a full array of the latest equipment tailored to your needs—from treadmills and ellipticals to weight machines and free weights.
Nature Center at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Nature Center

The Sonoran Desert's singularly unforgiving climate has spurred breathtaking miracles of evolutionary adaptation across its entire ecosystem. Our Nature Center's naturalists offer an amazing perspective and deep knowledge offering an intimate, up-close perspective into this vibrant landscape's flora and fauna. Get views of typically elusive species like venomous reptiles and regionally unique arachnids normally only glimpsed on guided nature walks. 
Presentations at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Presentations

Expand your understanding of the natural world surrounding our extraordinary setting through our innovative program of immersive educational experiences. Join our knowledgeable staff for riveting video segments, guided desert hikes, or hallmark lectures illuminating virtually every aspect of the region's distinctive plant and animal habitats, characteristics, and behaviors. All scheduled throughout the week at our Nature Center basecamp.
Falconry at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Falconry

For a breathtakingly transcendent experience, join our intimate 60-minute guided exploration celebrating the ancient sporting tradition of falconry. You'll gain profound insights into handling and training protocols for the majestic Harris's Hawk—one of this revered field's most storied raptor species. Advance 24-hour reservations required for this limited-availability immersion.
Workshops at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Workshops

Awaken your latent creative talents through our rejuvenating series of hands-on artistic workshops! Whether trying your hand at copper tooling repousse and embossing, pine needle casting, pewter sculpting, or the metallurgy of silversmithing and custom ring crafting, each enriching session allows you to forge unique ranch-inspired keepsakes. 
Axe Throwing at Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, Arizona

Axe Throwing

Our instructors provide comprehensive one-on-one guidance in the art of properly handling these ancestral instruments while prioritizing stringent safety protocols. Once familiarized, you'll advance to our immaculately groomed dual target lanes architecturally engineered to foster an engaging yet approachable experience for throwers of all ages and skill levels.
Altitude Mountain Guides Scenic Repelling at Tanque Verde Ranch

Scenic Rappelling

Experience the excitement of rappelling down the cliffs overlooking the breathtaking Sonoran Desert. Rappelling, a controlled descent down a steep slope using a rope, is perfect for beginners—no prior experience is needed, just a sense of adventure!

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Rock Climbing with Altitude Mountain Guides at Tanque Verde Ranch

Rock Climbing

Discover the thrill of rock climbing, where we cater to all skill levels—from first-timers to seasoned climbers. Tucson offers diverse climbing experiences, set against the stunning backdrop of the valley, all while enjoying the cool mountain air.

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Canyoneering with Altitude Mountain Guides in Tucson Arizona

Canyoneering

Available from fall through spring, canyoneering offers an adventurous way to explore the stunning Sonoran Desert. Traverse through slot canyons, experience the thrill of a Tyrolean traverse, and rappel down waterfalls often cascading with running water.

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