My boys and I had a fantastic horseback ride and old western town experience. The guides were so good with my kids and really helped them learn new things like hatchet throwing. I felt covid safe due to our distancing outside. It was a great reprieve from being indoors with my kids. read more

Move over Grand Canyon - this is the new "must-do" when in Phoenix. I had an excellent experience with Chris - he kept things lively and fun, and was a great teacher! The ride was great, winding through the ranch with excellent views, and my horse (Jackson) was very easygoing an easy to maneuver. I opted for lunch in town before shooting some targets, shooting the bow, and throwing some hatchets! Lunch was great, and they have a great selection of soft drinks and beers! The folks working there are friendly and hospitable. At the end of my journey I met the cutest little blue heeler puppy that lives on the ranch. What else do you need to know?! This is a can't-miss experience and well worth the time and money spent. It was an unforgettable end to a wonderful trip. I'll be back again once I move to Phoenix. Ask for Chris!!! (He takes great photos!) read more

Western Destinations - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

All of the people here are super nice. I rode a beautiful chocolate and white horse named Henry. He was sweet and I was never worried he would buck me off. All the games are super fun too. I had a great time throwing my first axe and roping my first (plastic) cow. Tip: book your ride for earlier in the day when it's not super hot. read more

Had an amazing time! Horseback trail ride, axe throwing, shooting, and archery ... great place to check all those things off the bucket list :) Super friendly staff and an authentic taste of western cowboy life. read more

Amazing day!! Our wonderful tour guy (Rusty) stayed with us throughout all the activities and made it so fun and interesting. We learned a lot from him. We had the best time. Totally worth it ! Spend the day, do all the fun things they offer, watch the beautiful Sunset! read more

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Me and my boyfriend went here for his birthday. Our tour guide was Evan. The horseback riding was very fun. A pretty walk through the mountains. Then you drop the horses back off and go shooting, axe throwing and a little archery. It was really fun and nice. You also get to go into an old western like bar and have a soda or a beer for free. They take you on a jeep ride to do all the activities. Evan was really cool and knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Very nice guy. Would definitely recommend read more

Our guide was excellent with jokes and overall experience. Thank you for that! However, FYI when the lady (owner) gives you the quote it is not the total you pay. Tax adds up another $40 (it was for 2 ppl just horse ride) It is way overpriced for a ride in a heat and smell of the horse that sh*ts every two steps. 2 stars are for the guide who was awesome! read more

My friend and I took our 5 year olds here, the boys had a ton of fun and this was probably the best not only riding experience but also just a super fun way to spend about 3 hours. I was looking for horseback riding when I found this and I'm glad I did as this exceeded my expectations. Also the cost was probably less than I'd have spent on just a trail ride anywhere else so a ton of value in that as well. Todd was awesome, lots of patience with the boys, and was a great guide. I will be back for sure. read more

We were a group of 10 and LOVED every minute!! Mr. Jim and Rusty our guides were AMAZING!! We even added on lunch because it smelled so great and we were having a fantastic time! I would recommend this place and these guys for anyone! Be ready to have a LOT of fun!! read more

I looooved this place!! I took a group of 17 girls for a bachelorette weekend and everyone loved this place. We did horseback riding, tomahawk throwing, gun shooting, and bow and arrow throwing. The ranch is beautiful, the Old Town is super cute and the staff is the best! They made us feel welcomed, and had the best hospitality. They service all kinds of parties and occasions, oh and their dinner was delicious, soooo goood!!! I would definitely recommend coming to this ranch, and i would do it all over again, such a great experience. read more

We rode w Gabrielle and Richard (and Dillon the dog). Had a great time! It was nice to be just our family and not 20 people on ride. It was the first time on a horse four our 3 kids (15,14,11). Horses were gentle and appropriate. Gabrielle was engaging and took my camera to take pics of us. Better vantage point than me!! Had lots of fun off the horses too in the "Old Town". Roping, shooting, hatchet throwing. .... Don was very friendly and encouraging. Highly recommend!! Worth the $$ spent @3 hours there. Could have spent longer and had cowboy lunch..smelled great! Made reservation over the phone w cc hold, signed and paid upon arrival. Horses ready to go. Quick and easy! read more

I was so excited for the horseback tour and cowboy games. Unfortunately, my partner injured their back about 3 hours before our appt and wouldn't be able to get on a horse and we had to cancel. I really appreciate that they were understanding of the issue, especially when others wanted that appt time. 5 stars for professionalism and flexibility! Thank you! read more

My girlfriend and I hit up Western Destinations earlier this month. It was one of the highlights of our trip! We were on our way to Sedona and then up to the Grand Canyon, so we stopped in on the morning after checking out of our Phoenix hotel. First off, don't try to squeeze this many stops and activities into one day..we did our best, and rushed through most of it. We did sleep at the Grand Canyon, and even saw an Elk sauntering around in the middle of Tusayan before it turned completely black. Anyhoo, we didn't rush our stay at Canyon Creek Ranch. We planned for 2 1/2 hours and stayed 4; we thoroughly enjoyed our time with Joe, Opal, and even Opal's grand daughter. All of the activities were fun, especially the complimentary beer. We loved it! I've told all of my friends about it, and if you're on the fence, which I always thought is a strange place to be, make sure you fall off on the Western Destinations-side. It'll be the highlight of your trip. Until you hike the Grand Canyon early morning when it's still dark, and get to watch the sunrise like we did, then that'll be the highlight of your trip. Until you hike back up. My recommendation? Check out the Grand Canyon up on the rim, then book it to Western Destinations. Looking for "Ooh Aah" pics? They sell Grand Canyon views on postcard for grandma. What you can't get on a postcard are memories with your significant other, group, or you and a cowboy doing tomahawk throwing, shooting, lassoing, archery, or quickdraw (this was our favorite, who doesn't at one time or another want to legally shoot at your significant other?) unless you go to Western Destinations. We're coming back one day... and we're bringing our posse. read more

I will never forget this experience. Rusty, our guide for the day was amazing. I could have listened to his stories all day. Fun for all ages. Highly recommend this excursion. read more

Planned a bachelorette party adventure here and everyone had a blast! Horseback riding through beautiful desert trails followed by a down-home barbecue lunch (including a veg option for this girl). Then an afternoon of western games - tomahawk throws, bow and arrow shooting, and pistol shooting (Annie Oakley, look out!). The value for this whole experience is phenomenal and definitely worth it. I would do this again! The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable and made our visit a truly unforgettable experience - thank you to everyone at Canyon Creek Ranch! read more

Hands down the highlight of our trip. We almost went hot air ballooning, but decided to try this instead. We originally found this place on TripAdvisor so I recommend reading the reviews there. We rode horses with the owner, Jim. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about this ranch and made our ride special. All tours are private which is very unique, given how affordable it is. The horses are also very sweet, so if you've never ridden I wouldn't worry about it. After riding you go to "Old Town" which is an area modeled after an old western civilization filled with activities (shooting, archery, axe throwing, roping, and a saloon with beer!).We will definitely be back and highly recommend the haul if you're coming from Phoenix!! read more

We had the most amazing time today. Arrived at the meeting point and was guided into the Ranch by Richard who would take us on our adventure. We were set up with 4 great horse for my family, which included a 10 and 12 year old. We were guided on a ride through a canyon for about 45 min. We got to a replica western town that had everything you could imagine, church, jail, saloon, hotel, buggies, other western buildings. We had some sodas and popsicles at the saloon and took a tour of the town. We shot bow and arrows, practiced roping, shot at targets, threw some tam a hawks and did a horseshoe ring toss. Did I mention we were on a private tour with Richard and we were the only ones at the town. We were truly in the Wild West!! It was more than I could imagine. We had some more drinks and rode about twenty min back to the ranch. Got a great photo at the end. Such a beautiful day. Great scenery, hospitality and it was a great price for this incredible experience. I highly recommend this business. I would only send my friends and family to Western Destinations! It is the best! read more

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We had a great experience recently with Craig as our guide. Great price for a unique small guided ride and cowboy experience complete with .22 shooting, bow and arrow, axe throwing, and a cool one at the saloon! $75 for a 2 hour experience, optional lunch. Highly recommended. read more

Fantastic day! Staff was very friendly and the western town visit was a nice touch. Our preteen girls had a blast. Todd was our guide would definitely recommend, all around a great value. read more

Had a fantastic experience today at western destinations. We took a couple of business clients and the day could not have gone better. Chris and staff were friendly and professional. More importantly they understood how to help create a great business interaction. We had fun riding the horses and then some friendly competition shooting pistols, bows and arrows and doing the hatchet toss. What a great way to spend a few hours with clients you are trying to get a relationship with. The scenic vistas were incredible and the entire day will he talked about with this client for years to come. Highly recommend the facility. Bruce J read more

Best.time.ever! We did the Black Canyon horseback riding experience that included a BBQ. Our guide, Aaron, was a REAL cowboy! Loved it! Spent over 20 years handling horses from CO to AZ and back. He had on his cowboy hat, boots with spurs, plaid shirt with Marlboro reds in his pocket, and Wrangler jeans. My son was so happy at the authentic experience. He got to shoot a real pistol, lasso, throw a tomahawk, etc. Did you know they have a Cowboy camp? Yep. Awesome. They offer the same experience in Sedona, so we can't wait to try that one. read more

Cowboys for the day... A must do! For all ages but have to be at least 5 yrs old, there's no double riding.. Archery, shooting real .22, roping, throwing tomahawks, lots of learning about the old days, animals, plants, etc etc. Rusty was great, kids ages 15,7, & 5 all had a yeehaa day! read more

Western Destinations - Riding into the mountains - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

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This was definitely one of the funnest things I've ever done. Cowgirl for a day? Yes please! Rusty met us at the meeting location, I knew from the start I would like him. We got to the property and it's gorgeous. They have over 100 horses and they are ALL well behaved, well maintained and loved. Rusty took us on a private desert tour of the property and in between told us everything I ever wanted to know about the desert, cactus and snakes. Extremely knowledgable about everything desert. He also offered to take pictures of us for us. The town was awesome. We got to play some games, rope, ax throw, shoot a bow and arrow, and my favorite, shoot a real .22. It's a great little property with lots of little Nooks and crannies to explore. It's about a 50 minute drive from central Phoenix but so worth it. You won't be disappointed. Ask for Rusty, he's awesome!! Can't say enough about him. read more

INCREDIBLE FAMILY FUN - Step back in time and be a cowboy!! Chris Brown was our guide and made the day fun for our entire family from our horse back ride and conversation to cowboy games!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND- highlight of our trip !!! Would book again next time we are here!! read more

This is an amazing place to go horseback riding. The horses and the views and the people are amazing. Our guide was Roxanne and she did a wonderful job keeping us informed with every question we had. Old town is amazing as well. All the games me and my girl enjoyed. Will be back again for horseback riding and we will make sure to pay the full package that includes the meal next time. Recommended! read more

A friend of mine and I headed down to Arizona for some shopping but wanted to experience the outdoors as well. We are both so glad to have chosen Western Destinations. Kevin, our cowboy, was so funny, charming and encouraging! I've never really ridden a horse before, but with the instruction they give you, you feel like a pro. They choose the right horse for your personality and Junior loved his snacks, just like I do! The trail they took us on was peaceful and perfect for beginners. Kevin was so knowledgeable and knew all kinds of random trivia. When we got to the little western village, we got to rope a (fake) steer, shoot a (real) gun, throw a tomahawk and try our hand at archery! I wish we could have stayed there all day, enjoying the sunshine and the company. I plan on coming back to Arizona and bringing anyone I go with on this adventure. Worth every penny! read more

This was the most authentic and interesting experience my family and I have had in Arizona so far. The NICEST people, beautifully tame and well taken care of horses, and beautiful scenery that truly takes your breath away. Would recommend to anyone looking to get away for a day and play cowboy. Chris, Rich, Mike Brown, Jessica, and Opal we're so accommodating and kind to each one of our family members, INCLUDING my elderly grandparents who struggle with hip injuries and were worried that horseback riding would be too much. Opal even made us all chili when the sun went down and the weather got cold. Simply amazing. read more

My wife who is a very experienced horse rider and I signed up for a private horse ride while staying in Scottsdale on vacation 9/2/11. We were picked up at the hotel, taken to the ranch and in a matter of minutes were heading off into the surrounding hills. Chris was a great guide; he took us on some challenging trails, entertained us with stories and educated us on the plants and terrain around us. We had a great time riding, then made a stop at the old town to shoot at targets (learned my wife is a great shot :) and throw axes. All in all, this was one of the best activities we've enjoyed on a vacation. The horses are treated well, the tack is in good shape and the people are very friendly. When we come back, we would definitely come out to ride again with Chris! Thanks Chris - I send you some pictures from our trip soon. Rob and Brenda read more

Overall, great experience. I called Western Destinations on Friday and was able to book a private ride for my boyfriend and myself for the next day. I was told to meet our guide/cowboy at the steak house so he could lead us back to the ranch. Good thing they sent him because we probably would have gotten lost looking for the ranch. We met Zack (our cowboy) at the steakhouse and we followed him back to the ranch. The drive back to the ranch seemed a bit sketchy but once you got to the gates of the ranch you could see the horses and it sets your mind at ease. Zack said that many people turn around when they see the junkyard but I assure you that you will be missing a lot if you decide to do so. The ride was great; we traveled through the mountain and into a small makeshift town that has been there for about 26 years. Zack offered us a beer, glass of wine, soda, or water (free) and then taught us how to throw tomahawks, rope cattle heads (fake ones of course), and use a bow and arrow - we also shot a .22 revolver - this was all included in the overall price of the ride. We were there for a total of 2.5 hours or so and I have to say it was a great experience. I plan to return to the ranch for another ride very soon. At one point during my ride I lost my hat because the wind picked up and Zack had no problem with going back to get it. He was a great guide and made the ride a comfortable. I think I forgot to mention that this was my first time riding a horse (or even being close to one). My horses name was Gizmo and she was very gentle and liked to snack on the bushes along the way. She was easy to control and before heading out the ranchers were great at explaining how to ride and how to steer her. Thank you Western Destinations for a great date day and memories I will never forget! read more

Our group included kids, parents and Grandparents and we all want to go back! Owner/guide Chris Brown was amazing! Riding, shooting, old west saloon ... kudos to this family business for doing an amazing job! read more

The most unique and interactive part of our trip; you get the real deal and an immersive look at the old west! Thank you so much to our guide, Rusty! He made the day amazing. read more

I took my girlfriend here because she never road a horse before and she really wanted to see how it was. This place is AWESOME they take you horse back riding, let you throw axes, shoot guns!!!! Etc.... There was plenty of activities to do besides ride horses. The riding horses part was awesome too!!! You ride through a nice trail with streams of waters. You also have a option for them to make you lunch, it's a little pricey but it was good food. Request Joe to be your horseback trainer guide guy, he was awesome!!!! Great experience!! read more

One of the best western horse riding experiences we as a family of 6 has ever had!! Rusty our guide was one of the reasons why, he is fun, knowledgeable and great with all ages!!! The trail ride was nice but the knowledge of the area, the history and all his stories made the ride simply awesome!!! We went back and threw tomahawks, shot 22 pistols, roped calfs and shot now and arrows!! Great time!!! I highly recommend when in phoenix and need time away from the city life!!! read more

A wonderful experience. My partner and I reserved an early morning ride and it was just two of us and our cowboy. Meeting up with them seemed a little suspicious at first. I suppose it isn't so much suspicious as I'm often wary of out-of-the-way friendliness (I come from a big city - friendliness is normally suspicious behavior for me). We had to park in front of a restaurant, waiting underneath a streetlamp until our guide would arrive. Our guide comes in on a slightly worn truck, asks us if we're there for the horseback ride, asks us for our names, and asks us to follow his truck onto the ranch. Of course he'd need to do this as the ranch is a little out of the way, and its road is private - so without him we probably wouldn't get in. But still, as a city boy, that sort of escort seems extremely suspicious. Thankfully, we weren't led into the woods to be shot in the back of the head: We were led into a lovely ranch with several beautiful horses... and a beer donkey (a donkey that carries beer, in case that didn't make sense). The feel of the place and their service was wonderful... When they tell you to take your time, they really mean take your time. Before we went to pay for the horseback riding experience, we wandered around a bit in their ranch, and not once did we feel pressured or rushed to start what we reserved. Finally, we paid, signed, and got introduced to our horses. My horse's name was Jalopy, and my partner's horse's name was Blue Eye(s). Anyone who's gotten to know horses will tell you that each have their own very distinct personalities... and you certainly won't miss that when getting to know their horses. Just how each one rides is so vastly different from one another. Jalopy, one of their youngest riding horses on the ranch, was extremely impatient and always ready to run forward whenever she was given the chance. Blue Eye(s) was a bit on the older side and didn't have too much enthusiasm for going out for a ride early in the morning. Despite these distinct attitudes, they were extremely tame and well-mannered for their riders. Even if at any point they found us annoying (for stopping them from eating extra food on the side of the trail), they never did anything more than whine or complain - they continued on as they were tasked to do. Which was very kind of them. During the slow, picturesque ride - with the stunning scenery and lovely weather (far better than Phoenix... which I had been staying in for most of my time in AZ) - our cowboy would tell us about the desert and its plantlife and critters, how life was on their ranch, and just general facts that would pique our interest. I felt a bit awful that my partner and I weren't much into talking - we're more of a quiet-type... but even still, our cowboy remained friendly and respectful to us. I could tell that if we were extremely curious and talkative, he would have an answer for everything. He's a wonderful guide. So if you're the type to ask about the horses, about the scenery, about anything at all - feel free to ask. He'll make it enjoyable for you. The destination of the ride, their little western town, was filled with activities. For us, we did the axe throw, the single-action shooting, and the archery activities. All were lovely and our cowboy was helpful in giving us tips to better our aims - while remaining respectful and unintrusive. We could continue these activities for as long as we wanted -- again, there was no rush. We took a bit of our time exploring the town, searching every nook and cranny... and we had some sodas and waters at their saloon. This place is about an hour away from where you first start riding, so if you're thirsty and can't handle being without water for the next hour: drink something before you go. The ride back is actually much faster. I'm not sure if it actually is or if the horses were just keen on getting back to the ranch. But even that didn't feel rushed. After we returned to the ranch, we were allowed to further explore it. Take our time, as always (this is a big deal for those who tend to live on calculations and seconds). And when we were done, we hugged our horses, tipped our cowboy, and went on our way... Overall, the entire experience was unforgettable. Amazingly unforgettable. If you haven't ridden a horse in years, if you have never ridden one before, or if you just feel the need to do it again soon: I HIGHLY recommend this place. Just call in ahead of time! And don't be afraid to ask for directions. The location of this place is actually quite different from what it says on this yelp address. So get in as much details as possible before going in. //Ah, and I must recommend the cafe you park your car in front of. Their biscuits and gravy is delicious!// read more

I can not say enough about how awesome our day was! Most importantly I have to compliment our AMAZING guide Ruben! The guy is a GEM!! My kids are 9 and 14 and they had the best time! We did horseback riding, lunch and my son did skeet shooting! An amazing adventure and everything was just perfect! From the minute that Ruben met us at the pick up spot till the minute we left we were treated like family by everyone! I highly recommend this for any family wanting a true Arizona experience!!! read more

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This place is just so, so neat! We took the 3 hour excursion (~1.5 hour ride + 1.5 hours playing in the western town) and it was just perfect. Our guide (Rich) met us on time, and was very enjoyable the entire ride. We are from Phoenix, but we still learned about the desert and really enjoyed seeing what's in our own "back yard". The western town was awesome, we played a horseshoe game, shot a .22, did some archery and hatchet throwing among other things. We also did the lunch option and everything was absolutely delicious- they really pulled out all the stops! Most importantly- the horses were all so well taken care of. They were beautifully groomed and well trained. Definitely check this place out if you're looking for more than just a trail ride in the Phoenix area. read more

This place is a dream come true if you want an awesome western experience. I saw it on tripadvisor, rated #1, and it sounded like the kind of stuff my husband would love , so I decided to go there with him and my little sister. It was even better/ more fun than I thought it would be. Our guide was encouraging and helpful and funny. We were all newbies striding horses too, but they gave us great horses that knew where to go and what to so we had a great time. My husband was in 7th heaven, being a real cowboy for a day it's more than just riding horses too, you get to do a variety of fun western activities in their little old western town. Just watch out for cactus at calf level when you're riding and have a ball! read more

We had a great time here. Our guide and entertainer Joe was very friendly and a great entertainer. I would definitely return.

Rich was our guide and he was fantastic. It was my birthday gift and we had so much fun-my husband didn't want to go, but after

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! Great ride, beautiful horses, wonderful guide (Rusty), super lunch, fun events & entertainment. Your ride is very personal, as it is only your party going out with your guide. It was my daughter's first time on horseback & she was absolutely thrilled with the whole day! It's the whole package & we had a blast! I would recommend it for one & all. You can bet we will be doing this again...& again & again. Worth every penny & more! read more