What a fun time riding with Catalina Riding Club!! We had the honor of having Mel (Melvin) as our…read morewrangler and he was awesome, very experienced and a great leader. We rode as a family (myself, my partner, Tom, and our two kids) and Mel made everyone feel comfortable, inclusive of being provided nice cold water during the warm temps. We opted for the ride from the Stables, at sunset, which was perfect for us as we had mixed levels of riding experience in our group and it was good to be a little closer to civilization. But when we are back in Tucson, you better believe we will ride with Catalina again and take the remote desert ride to experience more of that incredible Tucson charm. I'd also like to give a shout out to riding club owners, Rose and Bob, who were incredibly helpful and super responsive before, during and after booking. Not only were they awesome to work with in regards to finding a good day/time for our ride, and finding the right horse for each of us, but also so fantastic to offer up other activities for us to do while we were in Tucson. Our only issue with this experience... it had to end and that made us sad. We loved it so much and can't wait to ride again with Rose and Bob and their team of wranglers and horses at Cataline Riding Club! 100/10 recommend... so call them when you're in Tucson and get ready to enjoy the heck out of good people, great horses and amazing landscapes/vistas (and occassional cool critter or two)! :-)

Rose took me and my husband on a wonderful ride! It was my husband's first time to ride horses and…read morethey are great teachers also! Highly recommend!

My husband and I honeymooned in Tuscon and chose the all inclusive package stay at the ranch. The…read moregrounds were beautiful and the rustic atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. There was a slight mix up with a private ride we had scheduled, but the ranch's response exceeded our expectations and we ended up having the best trail ride of our visit. I've been riding my whole life and my husband has limited riding experience. Although we weren't able to fit in the more intensive rides this trip, we both had a fantastic time on our walk rides. The horses were well taken care of, well trained, and fun to learn about. The highlights of our activities were the trail rides, cowboy cookout, pickleball clinic and spa service. The dog house saloon became a favorite spot to grab drinks and play pool after dinner. We had a wonderful time and would recommend it to anyone looking for a mixture of relaxation, adventure and authenticity.

We have been to Tanque Verde twice, and absolutely loved it both times. The staff are so friendly…read moreand welcoming, and most of them have been there a very long time. There are a wide assortment of rooms. Last time we had a nice Casita. This time we were in a smaller room, but it still had a wood-burning fireplace, which was so cozy on chilling evenings, The property is beautiful, the trail rides are wonderful and the desert landscape is stunning. It is such a treat to be around and ride the horses. We also went on great walks, hikes. They also have tons of activities I'd like to try next time, like pickleball, tennis, archery, fishing, etc. The pool area and Jacuzzi is so relaxing and beautiful. My husband loved the saloon, and it was a fun watering hole for happy hour. I was doing Dry January, and the bartender made me a tasty mocktail, and we met some nice people. The food was very good. We were there for Friday prime rib night, which was awesome, and loved the salad and soup bar. Looking forward to our next trip and hope to bring more family or friends next time!

Fantastic experience Superior wranglers…read moreDelicious food friendly service Wonderful to see owners socialize with guests Will return!!

Just returned from my fifth trip. The other trips I would have given 5 stars, but this time did…read morenot live up to the other years. The food was not nearly as good as previous years. Italian night was not a great change. The food was mediocre. Go back to fajita night instead. I did a morning hike from 7-9:30am. Concerned about getting breakfast, I asked at the front desk the night before and they assured me I would be able to get breakfast when I got back. There was no food available before we left at 7, and when we returned all that was available was soggy cut fruit and tiny containers of cereal. Not enough for a hot day after a long hike. Even after a good lunch, I felt bad the entire day and had to cancel my afternoon ride because I felt like I might pass out. This ruined the whole rest of my day at a very expensive dude ranch. I didn't get to ride one of my days- at a dude ranch!- because of the lack of food available. When I complained, all I got was a "thanks for letting us know and we'll try to do better" response that felt insincere.

My husband and I (late 60's early 70's) had a good time on the trail ride. The horses appeared…read morehappy and healthy, all the staff were very friendly and helpful from the initial reservation call to when we disembarked the horses. They narrated some of the highlights of what we were seeing during the ride and that was enjoyable.

This place checks all the boxes. Authentic experience, beautiful and I mean stunningly beautiful…read moresurroundings next to the Saguaro National Monument, East next to a wash with views of the mountains. The ride through the monument isn't too long or too short, just right. Definitely check this place out!

An amazing experience was had…read more This is located near the dude ranch. Reservations are a must. We reserved for the sunset ride. We were quickly given an easy 1-2-3 of steering and handling the horse. I had the pleasure of riding atop of Romeo. The staff were pretty reserved and friendly. The ride was about 1.5 hours long thru a desert path. It was amazing to see the horses navigate in incline and descent rocky terrain. They would halt or slow down walking until they got good footing. Depending on the weather bringing sun shades, water, mask for dusk, proper attire would be recommended. However, I was not fully prepared. With that being said I still was ok without and had an amazing time anyway.

As someone who rides horses regularly, I was bummed to miss my weekly lesson due to an unexpected…read moretrip. Thankfully, Tucson Mountain Stables came through and helped me get my horse time in with a beautiful sunset ride. Booking was easy, and when my friend and I arrived, the horses were already tacked up and ready to go. I rode Beast, a stunning Percheron cross with a great temperament, and my friend rode Romeo, a Navajo horse who was equally lovely. Both horses were steady, well-cared for, and clearly comfortable on the trail. The views were absolutely breathtaking--everything was still green, and riding through the west side of town offered a perspective you just don't get from a car. Peaceful, scenic, and a perfect way to wind down the day. Whether you're a local rider or just visiting, I highly recommend this experience. I'll definitely be back!

I've ridden horses off and on throughout my life, but never with proper instruction--basically, the…read moreonly advice I ever got was "don't fall off." That all changed when I moved to Arizona and, after doing some trail rides, decided two years ago that I really wanted to learn how to ride. That's when I found Heart of the Horse, and it's been an incredible experience ever since. Lessons here are one-on-one and thoughtfully structured, blending arena work with trail riding--or both, depending on what you're working on. The property has its own scenic trails where you can walk, trot, and canter, plus access to extended trails along a wash for longer rides during lessons. You can choose between English or Western disciplines, and every instructor I've worked with has been kind, knowledgeable, and exceptionally patient--especially appreciated since I started at age 39! What really sets Heart of the Horse apart is how much they prioritize horsemanship. Each lesson begins with grooming and tacking up your horse, which I genuinely enjoy. It's a refreshing change from typical trail rides where you just hop on and go. Taking that time allows you to bond with your horse, and I love being able to spend extra moments with them before and after lessons to say thank you--they really do carry us around with so much grace. The horses themselves are absolutely wonderful, each with their own unique, quirky personality. And the ranch? It's peaceful and shaded, with a cooler, breezier feel compared to the rest of Tucson. Lessons are offered in the mornings and evenings on weekdays and in the mornings on Saturdays--I personally love the early morning sessions. If you're in Tucson and want to truly learn how to ride, not just sit in the saddle, I can't recommend Heart of the Horse enough. It's been such a rewarding, joyful journey.

I cannot say enough good things about this place! I'm a…read moremiddle-aged man, who has always wanted to learn how to ride horses, and I finally took the plunge to commit to ten lessons of Western riding. The ranch is beautiful, and just five minutes from my house. The horses are beautiful, healthy, and well-cared-for. David, the owner, Jordan, and all of the instructors are wonderful people and excellent at teaching you all that you need to know. If you live on the east side and want to learn to ride, this is the place to go.

The trainer Scott is a certified judge , teaches children to older adults , lovely view , bathrooms…read moreand friendly owner Becky

My daughter has been taking riding lessons wth Kate for a few months. We love Lucky Charm, they are…read morevery professional and teach riding in an encouraging and positive way. The ranch itself is a beautiful property and always has people around who are friendly. There are benches and chairs around the arenas so parents or family can watch the lessons, which is awesome. There are also a number of arenas including a fun obstacle course type arena. The tack room and barn are super cute and seem to have varying sizes to accommodate everyone.

Great experience! Definable book, you won't regret. Took my 10 year old niece, perfect for all ages.read more

We recently had the most wonderful trail riding experience at Rockin' Star Ranch with family…read moreranging in age from 2 to 72, and every single person had a fantastic time! The horses were thoughtfully matched to each rider's size and experience level, and it was clear how well cared for and well-trained they all are. The guides were absolutely phenomenal -- not only friendly and professional but they went above and beyond, even riding backwards at times to capture incredible photos and videos for us! As someone who tends to be nervous around horses, I was given the most patient, gentle, and intuitive horse, which made the entire experience enjoyable and safe. When my 2-year-old decided he had to ride with Mama AFTER everyone was saddled up, they went out of their way to help us rearrange and make it happen -- and I still felt safe and confident holding him, which speaks volumes about both the horses and the staff. We've been to Rockin' Star Ranch a few times over the years, and it's always been a special place for our family. In fact, our now 12-year-old once rode the same sweet pony on a lead ride that our 2-year-old recently did -- a true testament to the love, care, and longevity they provide for their animals. Every single interaction we've had with their staff has been warm, professional, and full of kindness and patience. They are always happy to teach, answer questions, and help everyone -- from total beginners to more experienced riders -- feel welcome and confident. I can't recommend Rockin' Star Ranch enough for families or anyone looking for a safe, fun, and memorable horseback riding experience!

Wonderful 1.5 hour ride into the Ricon Mountains. Horses are…read morevery nice and beginner friendly. Took my 10 grand daughter who had never ridden before and Jay our lead wrangler was amazing with her. Kind and encouraging. Jay was very knowledgeable and had a lot of interesting history and facts about the area. Highly recommend the Saguaro Stable for a great ride.

Came here for Valentine's Day without knowing anything about the trail or horses. My boyfriend and…read moreI had an amazing time! Perfect weather and our tour guides were greats. Highly recommend Jay and Larry. Definitely plan on coming back another time to ride a horse!

The cave tour was very fun!! The tourists said to say uhm Erik? Smells nice : ) and uhm Adam smell…read morebad. The jokes make it so much funnier aswell as amusing!!! The cave was beautiful! I absolutely loved hearing about the evolution of people in the cave ask !..the demonstrations were vivid too. The view was AMAZINGGGG LIKE O.M.G i did trip sometimes, just don't be clumsy like me loll. The gift-shop was nice too aswell as every other worker Also do watch your head

Eric our tour guide was awesome! And made the tour enjoyable and educational. Dad jokes were…read moreawesome too