An outstanding experience in the middle of the 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest. This was my…read morefifth time at the ranch and I have already booked for a return trip for their opening week in 2023. Comfortable cabins, excellent food, well taken care of horses and super friendly and safety conscious owners and employees. If you want quiet and a great vacation - give Geronimo a try.

My husband and I went to the Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch because an acquaintance raved about the…read moreranch. We had an awesome time. Everyone at the ranch was very accommodating, the food was excellent and our cabin was nice and cozy. The scenery was beautiful and Maris and Seth explained the history. I hope to go back again soon.

WOW!!! What a horseman- and the trails he uses for the pack trips! Good historian, musician,…read morehorseman, and cook. Took us into areas few folks will ever get a chance to see. We had our own horses, and some other folks rode Black Range horses- If ever in New Mexico and you want to really get into the wilderness- Mackie knows where to go and how to get you there. Already planning 2011 trip with him!!! Yahoo!!! LB South Carolina

Wow, what an authentic, real life experience of journeying into the wilderness -and my first time…read moreriding a mule! Sally was a wonderful animal and as surefooted as they say! I felt so able to be present and witness the shifting light of the day and the rare and beautiful wildflowers (a favorite of mine) in the Gila Wilderness from the back of my steady steed. I slept so well after the long day rides and woke refreshed and ready to go again at dawn. As a person used to boring backpacking food that I have to carry myself, I was delighted to have real milk in my coffee and butter on my toast. What a treat! I enjoyed how the plans of the trip evolved and changed based on he knowledge the crew had of the area and the weather- this was a living, changing real life journey, not some dude ranch style packaged and predictable experience designed for your typical US traveler who wants a pre-determined concept of comfort and certainty that checks all the usual comfort based boxes. Those places exist and would probably be fun too, (I love spas!) but this was a real adventure! The horses were all so well cared for that some could even be released to wander around the camp area- this was astonishing to me and really spoke to the leader Jim's connection and care of his animals. I learned so much from Jim, who must have grown tired of all my questions about how he managed and got to know such a large heard of individual personalities. I will certainly be back when I am able to explore more of the area! What a treat!

What a great experience! A friend and I just got back from a five day packing trip that exceeded my…read more(already pretty high) expectations. Stellar horses and mules (I loved that little miss Bombs Away). Friendly and knowledgeable guides Bridget., the cook and a guide as well, was super nice and full of interesting stories. She brought her fiddle so we had live music too! Great swimming holes and campfires every night. Can't recommend enough....

My children recently attended the Black Range camp for 2 weeks. The camp was incredible with…read moreactivities such as skeet and rifle shooting, horseback riding, hiking, archery, sports games, Indian lore, cattle drive, and visiting a mine. My children rate this camp 5 stars. I rate it 4 only because this is the first time they were away from home and direct parent communication with the children is discouraged. I was told that kids are never homesick at camp. Care packages and letters are well received but if you call the Camp to check on your children they will not give you much information. All of the kids seemed to have a great time and most of the kids at the camp return each summer. The age range of attendees is 8-18. Young adults are there for overall supervision. Older kids do a fantastic job of caring for the younger kids. Everyone seemed to get along well and there was an air of friendly competition between the "tribes." Kids were divided into 4 tribes and competed against each other throughout the 2 weeks. A Nurse Practitioner attends the entire time to deal with any mishaps. She returns annually. Parents are invited for the last Camp Fire to watch skits and awards. The level of creativity amongst the kids is astounding. For kids leaving home for the first time, and at a young age, it was worrisome to me that communication was somewhat lacking. There is a land line, and Greg, the owner of the camp, is very good about answering and responding to all inquiries. My kids will be returning again next year and I will have less hesitation about sending them. Greg was right, the kids were NOT homesick.

Our April 2011 trip to Hideout Ranch in Portal Arizona (on the AZ/NM border) marked our third trip…read moreto the ranch in one year. Yes, it's that good! Hideout Ranch is all about riding, and their horses are fabulous. Head Wrangler, and Owner, Craig Lawson carefully hand-selected our mounts to suit our riding experience. He knows his horses, that's for sure! Each morning, after our home-cooked, hearty breakfast (cooked over an open fire, with plenty of piping hot coffee,) we loaded our horses and trailered out to a new destination. Each new day welcomed us to a wonderful new adventure. The area surrounding the ranch is chock-full of American history. During our stay, we rode to Horseshoe Canyon, Fort Bowie, the Chiricahua National Monument, and, on our last day, rode right off the ranch property into Owl Canyon. Each ride was more spectacular than the one before it. The scenery and terrain changed dramatically from ride to ride, and the horses took it all in stride. We had the opportunity to ride in places most Americans only read about in history books or watch in Western movies. Hideout Ranch owners, Craig and Tamara J. Lawson are horseman first and foremost, and just genuinely GREAT people. It doesn't matter whether you're at the ranch for a short stay or a long stay, you're going to have an awesome time.

I was looking for a horseback riding adventure and I stumbled upon the Hideout Ranch with Craig and…read moreTamara Lawson. Well, what a find! If you're looking for a true Ranch experience, this is it! This is a working ranch with horses and cattle and they're taken care of by the Lawsons. It's rustic, wild, and homey at the same time. I was comfortably nested in one of the bunkhouses that Craig built, and enjoyed 3 homemade meals plus delicious desserts every day! The horses are amazing! They're all friendly, affectionate, well taken care of, beautiful health and wonderful to ride on! I wanted to truly learn more about horses and improve my riding and I found that Tamara teaches the Centered Balance Riding technique and that topped off this place for me! I got everything I wanted and more - a chance to truly work with horses, experience breathtaking trails, improve my riding technique, rest and relaxation, and new friends! The Lawsons keep their groups small to ensure that you get the level of attention and care you deserve. You are working with salt-of-the-earth, experienced wranglers, I trust both Craig, Tamara, and their farm hand(s). They endeavor to make you a part of their family and you'll come away richer than when you arrived! The location is remote and you get to enjoy the desert, the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the stars at night are beautiful, and the drive to the Ranch brings your through gorgeous landscapes. **Note:- Ahem! Watch your speed on I-10...nuff said!**

We ended up camping near these beautiful horses and saw a sign that you could schedule a horseback…read moreride. It was really easy to set up online. There is no cell service but they have star link set up right there so you can do everything on the website. Kevin was really nice and explained everything. It was out first time riding and he made us feel comfortable. It was a beautiful ride. Highly recommend if you're staying near in and around Greer.

From the owner: I have the best horses on the planet!read more

We were more than pleasantly surprised with this find! With gracious hosts Tom and Alicia who are…read moreas lovely as the picturesque landscape, you may be planning your next stay on the way home. Get ready to unwind and relax. Family style meals and a wealth of activities and history to take in and experience. Our family hiked Cave Creek of the Chiricahua Mountains, toured the old west towns of Douglas, Bisbee and Tombstone, and took time to experience ranch life. A great museum is near the ranch complete with a desert garden, wildlife and historical exhibits. We brought our family of 5 including three boys, ages 10, 12 and 15. We all had a blast with our hosts touring the canyon and spending time with the horses, and of course eating Tom and Alicia's delicious meals! If you are looking for a real taste of the American Southwest, look no further.

I stayed there this year, and it was great. For one, they provide breakfast, lunch and dinner…read more That's huge because in this community there are only two tiny restaurants, not always open. The next nearest food is 45 minutes away! The food was excellent. The hosts are clearly foodies and put a lot of thought in each meal, which were upscale-restaurant-quality. I even had several dietary restrictions and they made that work. The beef from their own cattle was delicious, as well. They even made me dinner on the evening I arrived, which I wasn't expecting. The lodge was appropriately rustic, one of the historic stone buildings of this region. They have a lovely patio with bird feeders close by. I learned several new bird calls this trip just from sitting on that patio, The ranch itself was also in very good condition. I love animals, but I don't love smelling animals - and they are doing good farming because it smells great there. The large livestock has a ton of room to range about, and the smaller ones (the mini horses) are kept close for their safety, I assume. Everything was clean, the animals were happy and entertaining, and adorable! The Great Danes were well behaved, sweet dogs, too. And the hosts - they were so lovely; World travelers with lots of fascinating tidbits to share. They are happy to talk and share stories if you want, and they are also very respectful of guest's time and privacy. This was a fun, convenient, and picturesque place to stay. I wish I would have been able to do one of the trail rides. An excellent trip.