White Stallion Ranch – Tucson Arizona – Jan 22 – 25, 2026

***This review is written for the sole purpose of promoting travel.  If a vacation like this or any other is of interest, please reach out to me for assistance***

This was an out of the ordinary trip for us, we experienced our first Dude Ranch, and I must say that I don’t think it will be our last.   My friend and colleague, Sally started representing this product line of Dude Ranches, the “True Ranch Collection” and after doing several one-on-one presentations to several of us in a Special Networking Group, she decided to invite us to experience one of the Ranches for a FAM trip which also gave those of us who attended a chance to meet face to face for the first time or re-connect from previous meet-ups. 

True Ranch Collection has locations in Montana, Wyoming and Arizona and each of them have their own feel, their own amenities and levels of luxury or rustic-ness.   From what we were told, White Stallion Ranch (WSR) would be considered the most luxurious of the True Ranch Collection and when I say “luxurious”- keep in mind we are talking about a working ranch, but this is the closest to luxury for any City Slicker, like me.  I have not lived in “the City” for over 30 years, but as the saying goes “you can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl”.   I’d like to think that I have become a bit of a country girl with my love of Country music, Country dancing and now living in Reno in an area where Wild Mustangs roam freely on the Virginia Range & sometimes down our city streets.   I do appreciate a slower lifestyle and that truly is “Ranch Life”.

WSR is located about a 45-minute drive from Tucson airport.   This airport is small, I’d say very similar size to Reno’s airport, so our arrival was very pleasant.  Once we collected our luggage, we were met by our driver from the Ranch and then met up with others who had similar arrivals in the other terminal, and we were soon all loaded into the van and on our way to the Ranch.   There were two of my Travel Advisor friends on the shuttle with us, one that I had met previously at a conference and one that I’d only known from our Facebook Networking Group. 

We arrived at the Ranch close to 2pm, but they held back some lunch for us, knowing our arrival time and that we’d probably be hungry with quite a while until dinner.  I felt that it was super thoughtful and that’s exactly what this place does, they think about ways to make you feel special and to make your visit super special.  We met up with a few more friends from our group in the Dining Room, we hung around, chatted and then we made our way to the Front Desk to get our keys.   Sally then took us on a tour and escorted us each to our rooms, which was great because we were able to view a few different room types.  Each room is Casita-style.  Our room was a King-Twin combo plus a sofa that can be made up to be a Twin bed with a nice thick cushion.   This room also can connect to another room, making it super convenient for families or couples who want to be connected and can easily mingle in the sitting areas.    There are 4 “casitas” per “building” and each of ours had outside fireplaces, so you could sit outside and relax, take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the ambiance of a fire.    Our bed was very comfortable, and the bathroom was functional and well equipped, including dark blue “make-up” washcloths.   My ONLY complaint about our entire stay, the bath towels were super small.    

WSR has a variety of activities, and you can sign up for them on the website 24 hours prior to each day.   Of course, it’s a Dude Ranch, so there are a variety of Horse Riding and Horse related activities.   All levels of Riding and they do make sure you can do the more advanced rides before letting you go, a requirement of their insurance.  They will pair you with one horse and that will be your horse for the duration of your stay.  They offer lessons for a minimal charge if you feel you need that, great for beginner riders or people who might not have been on a horse for a long time.   

Other activities offered at the ranch include knife throwing, axe throwing, 22 caliber pistol and black rifle shooting, e-bike riding, daily crafts, sling shots, archery, nature walks, jeep tours, hikes, rock climbing.  Most of these are included in the inclusive package price of your stay with a few exceptions.    They offer a spa with massages and facials that are an additional charge.  The Ranch has a pool, hot tub, pool tables, game room, sports court, petting zoo and treats at the front desk so you can feed the animals if you are interested.

Meals are served in the dining room, and the bell is rung to indicate that it’s time for a meal.  Breakfast always had a continental selection available but also had an order form you could fill out for a hot breakfast that was cooked to order and delivered to your table.   Lunch had 2-3 main courses, several sides and salads and served buffet style.  Dinner also had 3 main courses, sides and salads served buffet style but then the staff would bring dessert to you once they cleared your dishes.    You could go to the dining room anytime to get coffee, tea, water, lemonade, iced tea, etc.

The Ranch offers an Honor Bar in the lounge, which is attached to the Lobby.  You take what you want, mark your form and your room is charged accordingly.  They do have some things locked up for inventory control, but the front desk staff is happy to unlock so you can get your special bottle of wine or a bottle of spirits.  If you did purchase a bottle of your own, they have a locker cabinet with key that you could use to leave your bottle for the next evening’s happy hour without having to take it back and forth to your room.  I thought that was super clever.   You could go into one of the fridges at any time and get bottled water, sodas, premixed (fresh) margaritas, beer and you’d simply mark your form.

The Lobby has games, magazines, newspapers and a cozy fireplace.  There is also a piano and some guitars so if someone felt the urge to play some music, they could. 

Evening entertainment varied each night.  During our 3 nights stay we enjoyed a campfire serenade, an hour of line dance lessons by Art & Elaine from Tucson Line Dance and our final night we were serenaded by a cowboy singer both at dinner and in the lobby/lounge after dinner.  

What did we enjoy during our stay?

Well, our first evening we enjoyed our friends and chit chatted in the lobby after the campfire music.   The next day after breakfast, we signed up for the Slow Ride.   I was matched with “Chief” and I got on my horse and started to feel a wave of panic.  I tried to talk myself into “it’ll be OK”, “you love horses” but when the wranglers said they needed to swap out my saddle for better stirrups, I decided that was my clue that I was getting off Chief and not getting back on.   The Lead Wrangler asked me if there was anything they could do and invited me to come back and visit the horses, brush them, feed them, etc.  I really appreciated that they cared that I was anxious and respected that I was not feeling comfortable riding.   I’ve ridden once in my life before and that was 35 years ago.    Bill and a few friends did go on the ride without me and they all enjoyed themselves.   I enjoyed another cappuccino and quiet time in the lobby with Ranger the Ranch Kitty.  The rest of the day, we did some crafting and then we went shooting, which was a first for me and I did very well with the pistol, not so much with the rifle.   We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with friends and then after dinner had our Line Dance lesson which was fun.  A few dances that I knew but a few that were new to me.   We then played cards with friends in the lobby until midnight.

Saturday was all about weapons for us.   We went knife throwing, which was HARD, then we went Axe Throwing which was much easier and I enjoyed this a lot.  After lunch we went shooting again and this time I did well with the rifle and not so much with the pistol.   Go figure.    We watched the Team Penning Competition and some of our friends were part of the winning team.   After dinner, our group gathered in the lobby/lounge area and told stories most of the night and just enjoyed being together.  We were the only ones going home on Sunday because most of our friends had to change their return plans due to a huge storm that impacted on their flights.

We had all sorts of weather during our stay: sunshine, rain, clouds, cool in the mornings.  It would not have been pool weather, and we did not bring our suits, but we could have gone in the hot tub, we didn’t think that we’d have time.   The Ranch also had a cute gift store, and we did some damage there.

WSR offers a variety of lodging and package options:   Bed & Breakfast, Inclusive Stay which includes all meals, riding and most activities or you can choose an A la carte approach allowing you to add activities and meals as you wish.  I personally loved having the inclusive stay and not having to worry about cost for this or for that.

This was truly a wonderful getaway, a place where you can re-charge your batteries, where you can be part of nature.  I loved just sitting on a bench looking at the horses or talking to them or petting them.  I really believe horses to be some of the most empathetic creatures on the planet, I think I got this from our Virginia Range Wild Mustangs.  They are just so beautiful.   

Would you like to visit a Dude Ranch?   If so, contact me and I can match you to the perfect location!

To see more photos of White Stallion Ranch, please click here!