Wickenburg, Arizona
Rancho de los Caballeros
About the ranch
Saddle up and make a perfect getaway to the warm heart of the Old Southwest!
Rancho de los Caballeros isn't your average dude ranch: experience the historic legacy of the ranch – refreshed.
The ranch offers full resort amenities and privacy, yet with the charm and intimacy of yesteryear – it's the kind of place where everyone knows your name and remembers your favorite horse. Don't be surprised if the friendly staff start to feel like family!
Come ride our rugged trails, commune with nature and enjoy breathtaking views of the Sonoran desert, the mountains and some of the local wildlife, while teeing off or luxuriating in a spa treatment featuring local desert ingredients.
Savor cookout feasts with old friends and old wines, or make new friends over fresh local fare in the nostalgic main lodge.
Bring the kids and celebrate holiday traditions, such as Christmas boots by the fireplace and Easter egg hunts.
Make it a memorable couples' affair, with peaceful rides and moonlit nature walks. Or why not plan a teambuilding retreat or family reunion?
At Rancho de los Caballeros there's always something to do, including doing nothing – preferably by the pool.
Affiliations
Dude Ranchers' Association, Arizona Dude Ranch Association, ALHI (Associate Luxury Hotels International)
Ranch type
Also offers
Guest capacity
300
Best for
People of all ages
Months open
All year
Watch the ranch
Rancho de los Caballeros - Best Guest Ranch - Arizona 2010
History & hosts
Rancho de los Caballeros is a historic ranch resort and golf club situated on 13,300 rideable acres of spectacular Sonoran desert.
The Gant family first opened the ranch doors in 1948, to honor the grand tradition of the Spanish caballeros – the ‘gentleman on horseback’ who explored and settled the Southwest.
The ranch’s rich history has made it what it is today and, while it has evolved over the years, the charm and service remain the same.
The ranch offered guests luxury facilities from the start, the original construction’s 40 main guest rooms complemented by a swimming pool and a tennis court.
In 1951 an airstrip was built to accommodate the private planes of early guests, and the ranch made headlines as the first in Arizona to implement under-floor radiant heating.
More recently, in the fall of 2006, a full-service spa was added, sealing Rancho de los Caballeros as a luxury ranch vacation destination.
Rancho de los Caballeros became involved in cattle ranching in 1953 as a steer operation, later developing into a cow-calf operation with the purchase of 100 cattle from the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation.
Although the ranch is no longer a working operation, cows still offer guests the chance to work on their cowboy skills with team penning activities in the arena.
In 2021 the ranch transferred ownership to another trio of families who have been multigenerational guests of the ranch for decades.
These three families and a new management team, complete with a three-year plan to upgrade facilities, will continue to deliver exceptional levels of service, while honoring the unique southwestern traditions for which the ranch has become famous.
In this way, the treasured history of Rancho de los Caballeros will be preserved for generations to come.
Ranch founded
1948
Guest ranch since
1948
Owners
The Cutler and Martin families
Managers
George McGann
About the managers
With more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, George started working with Rancho de los Caballeros in May of 2021 as Managing Director of the Ranch. Prior to this, George worked as Vice President of Transitions for Pyramid Hotel Group, where he was responsible for transitioning 40 hotels into and out of Pyramid. Before this position, he was the Managing Director of the Wigwam Resort Hotel in Litchfield Park for a period of 4 years.
Originally from the Chicago area, he attended and graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a bachelor’s degree in hotel management. George is married with one daughter.
Your manager
Staff qualities
Accommodation types
Western rustic chic
Gene Kilgore's notes
When to go
Starting January, 2024 the Guest Ranch will be open year round
Why we love it
- You can be assured of quality service, the owners have been focused on great guest experiences since 1948.
- With approximately 100 solid horses in the corral and an experienced team of wranglers, they can offer rides for all skill levels and the opportunity to work with cattle through team penning. The staff make an effort to get to know each guest and remember his/her favorite horse.
- Covering 20,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert, the Rancho offers the best views of the desert, and a true escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
- You will enjoy award-winning golf, four tennis courts, a full-service spa and quality dining
What to consider
- You may wait a long time for meals, but the food is excellent.
- No cattle pasture gathers available, but there's plenty of opportunity to hone your cowboy skills with team penning in the arena.
