Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is the best dude ranch for your next multigenerational family vacation. With a multitude of activities and events planned daily there is sure to be something for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest in your party, to enjoy. If a visit to the Wild West has always been on your bucket list, then this getaway filled with sunshine, horseback riding and panoramic views of the desert and mountains is a must visit destination.
Planning a multi-generational trip can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Frequently activities suited towards families with young children are not exactly inviting or enjoyable for grandparents or vice versa. Finding the perfect agenda and locale to suite everyone’s needs is key – preferably somewhere that the grandparents can kick back and relax while the kids head out to play. The best resorts for multigenerational travel are those that offer all inclusive packages, easy to walk to locations where all family members can meet up throughout the day, and large family dining space for shared meals, making Tanque Verde Guest Ranch a perfect choice.
Accommodations at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch
Salas
Quaint and cozy, all the Salas at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch offer a quiet and well-appointed place to rest your head. With either a king, queen or 2 queens, and a sitting area, these rooms all offer beautiful views around the property. From the mountains to the cacti to the beautiful courtyard of Tanque Verde Ranch, each room offers its own quintessential view perfect for an afternoon siesta between activities or an evening nightcap. Each room also include a desk, internet capabilities, a mini-fridge and coffee pot.
Casitas
Larger and more spacious than the Salas, the Casitas throughout the property are also single rooms offering either a king, queen or 2 queens, and a larger seating area, some with a fireplace. The Casitas also offer a private patio ideal for relaxing with an early morning cup of coffee or evening drink while watching the fabulous sunrises and sunsets here at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. Each room also include a desk, internet capabilities, a mini-fridge and coffee pot.
Haciendas
The Rincon Vista Haciendas are luxurious and spacious, perfect for large families or groups traveling together. These one bedroom haciendas sleep anywhere from two to six people while also featuring a full living room (2 queen size Murphy beds adorn the living room walls), dining table, fireplace, full bath with bathtub and private patio with lounge chairs overlooking the Sonoran desert. With the ability to also accommodate even larger families in their adjoining rooms, there is plenty of space for ensuring everyone’s ultimate comfort. Each room also include a internet capabilities, a mini-fridge and coffee pot.
Luxury Camping
A true one-of-a-kind experience, partnered with Under the Canvas, Tanque Verde Guest Ranch also offers desert “glamping” at its best. Located on 60,000 acres of Sonoran desert landscape, the luxury tents include either ensuite or nearby bathrooms, complete with flushing toilets, hot showers and sinks. Some tents even have inside wood burning stoves and private decks to give you a truly exceptional view of the night sky in the desert.
With no televisions in the rooms at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch time spent is truly relaxing and rewarding, full of bonding and togetherness. Life here moves at a slower pace and is quieter than the everyday chaos at home giving families and couples time to unwind and reconnect. While a long day full of all the fun activities at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch usually results in a tired kids and parents, evenings can be spent tech-free playing board games or reading books together in this desert locale.
Activities at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch
Horseback Riding
An exclusive, all inclusive dude ranch just wouldn’t be such without the main event – horseback riding. From getting the kids in the saddle for the first time to loping rides through the Sonoran desert, there is no shortage of rides or riding related activities for all ages. Whether you are saddling up for a morning ride to breakfast at the Old Homestead, taking a lope ride through the desert, heading out for some Team Penning fun, or taking a sunset walking ride, the horses are friendly, the wranglers are helpful, and the views are phenomenal.
Rides Available Include:
- Children’s Trail Rides
- Morning Breakfast Ride
- Walking Rides
- Lope Rides
- Mountain Adventure Horseback Rides
- Sunrise Ride
- Sunset Rides
- Private and Group Lessons
- Team Penning
Fishing
Featuring its own stocked pond, catch and release fishing is a great way to spend a morning at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. In the shade of the trees, you can cast your rod and wait for a bite, try and catch a notoriously large catfish, and cool off on the bank while your guide entertains you with stories of fish caught at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch.
Fitness Activities and Pools
Featuring a state of the art fitness center, there is no need to skip your workout routine while at visiting Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, and with all the delicious meals you’ll be eating, you wouldn’t want to. There are also plenty of outdoor opportunities to work off those calories and ensure you make the most of this vacation as well – just remember to always carry water!
Fitness and Hiking Activities Include:
- Mountain Biking
- Hikes into Saguaro National Forest
- Guided Desert Nature Strolls
- Tennis Courts
- Pickle ball
- Basketball Courts
- Yoga
- Guided Meditation
The guest ranch pool, which should otherwise be known as the local watering hole, is the popular place for families to spend the afternoon, cooling off in the Arizona sun. With both an indoor and outdoor pool, kiddie pool and hot tub, this is a great spot to gather after the morning activities for a relaxing and low-key afternoon at Tanque Verde. Stocked with noodles, pool toys, and extra large outdoor chess and checkers games, after a morning spent on the trail, families enjoy lounging poolside in the sun.
Located next to the pool complex is the La Sonora Spa where you can schedule facials, body treatment wraps and massages to simply relax or work the kinks out after a long morning in the saddle. With group options available, couples, mom and daughter duos, or even groups of bridesmaids can enjoy the serenity and tranquility of a spa day together.
Kids Club
With programming for kids ages 4-12 daily, the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch kids club gives parents and families the opportunity to drop off the kids for a ride of their own while the parents hit the trails. With walking rides planned daily, breakfast and lunch in the kids only dining room, arts and crafts, an adjoining playground and more, kids can enjoy their vacation experience with age appropriate activities, allowing everyone to make the most of their visit. The added bonus is that at this cozy family friendly resort your kids are likely to make friends with the other children visiting giving them kids to play with in the pool or while hanging out at the Cowboy Cookout.
Nature Center and Activities
From nature walks to nature talks, the Nature Center at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is a must stop location, even if only for a short visit. Home to various desert creatures – rattlesnakes, tarantulas and scorpions to name a few – the knowledgable staff can let you know all about the animals that live in the habitat around you. The desert is a fascinating place with such different temperatures and conditions, even within the same day, that the critters who live here are interesting as well. Additionally, with the location of the ranch being rather secluded in the desert, the Nature Center staff can let you know about the local wildlife you are likely to encounter during your stay.
Nature Center Activities Include:
- Rattlesnake Presentations
- Bird Watching and Guided Tours
- Desert Photography Hikes
- Educational presentations on topics from the seasons and the animals of the desert to the food and pharmacological uses of desert plants
- Nature Walks to Breakfast at the Old Homestead
Arts and Craft Classes for Adults (and Children over age 12)
While horseback riding may be the main event at this real life dude ranch, the ideal spot for a multigenerational family vacation needs to include something for everyone, meaning even those who aren’t jumping on a horse. Tanque Verde Guest Ranch knows this, so while mom or the grandparents may enjoy relaxing on the private patio of their Casita with a good book, there are also a variety of courses and classes perfect for enjoying a slow day in the Sonoran desert. With Arizona being a hub for so many artisans and craftspeople, visitors to Tanque Verde Ranch can learn from the locals.
Arts and Craft Classes Include:
- Silversmithing Workshop
- Fused Dichronic Glass Workshop
- Pine Needle Casting Workshop
- Drawing and Painting Classes
- Hummingbird Pewter Sculpture Casting Workshop
- Arizona Precious Gems and Minerals
Dining at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch
Main Dining Room
The main dining room at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is a well-appointed space with large fireplaces and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the pool and desert surroundings. Serving both a gourmet breakfast and lunch buffet, plus varying menu options daily, this is the best way to start your day and also a wonderful gathering place for large families meeting for meals. The buffet spread at both breakfast and lunch is phenomenal with fresh fruits, salads, and hot, hearty options served daily. The Sunday brunch/lunch buffet is even more extensive, filled with delicacies and speciality meats, cheeses, and seafood, in addition to the variety of cold and hot fare served daily.
Dinner in the dining room is a more formal setting, although jeans and boots are perfectly acceptable attire, with a rotating menu featuring a variety of options sure to please everyone’s palate, including a variety of desserts nightly. With expansive seating and the option of seating large families all together, gathering every evening in the dining room is a wonderful way for large, multigenerational families to come together and share stories of each person’s day over the evening meal. With few distractions and plenty of time to enjoy the evenings at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, this is a wonderful way to savor the moments spent together, in good spirits over a great meal.
Breakfast at the Old Homestead
Horseback ride, mountain bike, take a nature walk, or even hop on a golf cart to enjoy breakfast at the Old Homestead at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. Pancakes and sausage cooked on the griddle are served up hot while guests enjoy their breakfast outdoors amid the desert landscape.
Cowboy Cookout at the Cottonwood Grove
A fun and entertaining outdoor buffet dinner, the Cowboy Cookout is hosted twice a week and is a must do when visiting Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. With plenty of picnic tables for large groups, a full bar, dance floor and live entertainment, this is a fun night under the stars. Kids will spend their time practicing their lasso skills, playing horse shoes, or even joining in a pick up game of tag (remember the kids at the ranch tend to get to know one another). Parents and grandparents can sit back and relax with a prickly pear margarita or even head out to the dance floor. At the end of the evening the kids can even make their own s’mores before heading back to your guest room. A good night well spent together, everyone will be tuckered out by the end of the Cowboy Cookout.
The Doghouse Saloon
Open every afternoon and evening, the Doghouse Saloon offers a full bar, local craft beers and a menu filled with small bites. A great place for gathering after a long day on the trail, or even after dinner, this cozy saloon is located near the pools and main dining room and includes both indoor and outdoor seating space.
Special Events at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch
Whether your special event is a large scale dream wedding set against a beautiful desert backdrop, a team building retreat with tons of outdoor activities, or a large (or small) scale family reunion, Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is the perfect place. Just on the outskirts of Tucson, at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch you are nearby all the amenities of a big city while still being surrounded by the Rincon Mountains and the Sonoran desert landscape. With accommodations for large groups and families, meeting space and conference rooms available for business retreats, and plenty of gorgeous backdrops for a wedding, along with catering and event planners available, hosting your next special event at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is a simple and enjoyable affair.
Our Multigenerational Visit to Tanque Verde Guest Ranch
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Studies have consistently shown that children raised near their grandparents or extended family members significantly benefit in the long run from these interpersonal relationships. Additionally, grandparents and other elderly family members benefit from time spent with their grandchildren or younger relatives. That said, whether you live near or far, there is no better way to strengthen that familial bond than by traveling together.
Travel opens our eyes to new things, new places, new sights, different cultures and adventures, and what better way to explore, interact and experience these things than to do it as a family. The identical sights, sounds or activities will be viewed so differently, one through the worldly eyes of a grandparent and the other through the innocent eyes of a child. Parents, grandparents, and grandchildren spending quality time together outside of the chaos of everyday life benefit from these shared interactions mentally, physically, and emotionally. Tanque Verde Guest Ranch is the ideal location to bring everyone together for a week of fun, camaraderie, and the making of lifelong memories that will be relived and retold for years to come.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out all of Daily Mom’s trips to the gorgeous Tanque Verde Guest Ranch:
Spring Breakin’ Arizona Style at Tanque Verde Ranch
The Daily Mom Travel Diary: Our 3 Days at the Best Dude Ranch in Arizona
