Bird watchers, history buffs and horse lovers will all appreciate a stay at the historic Rancho de la Osa in Southern Arizona. Considered the oldest operating dude ranch in Arizona, Rancho de la Osa is the ideal location for an intimate family reunion.
While I’m not a wedding crasher, my husband and I stayed at Rancho de la Osa, located in Sasabe, Arizona, while a special birthday celebration was taking place. We love the energy that a multi-generational family vacation brings to this historic guest ranch.
“A year ago I started thinking of someplace to take my family for my 80th birthday,” said John Wyatt of Tucson, Arizona. “Initially I settled on a beach vacation. However, I decided that type of vacation would not be memorable. One day, while surfing travel sites, I stumbled up The Dude Ranchers’ Association. I immediately knew that a dude ranch was the answer for a memorable vacation for a multi-generational family, particularly for my four grand children. Searching more, I spotted one of the oldest dude ranches in the country. One that was visited by presidents, movie stars and prime ministers. The Rancho is not only famous, but also an authentic ranch and not a resort. A perfect destination for a family of 12, with ages ranging from three to 80!”
What to expect at historic Rancho de la Osa in Southern Arizona
If you are looking for a dude ranch vacation in a historic setting, Rancho de la Osa in Sasabe, Arizona is the ranch for you. This rustic guest ranch was built in the 1800’s using Adobe bricks made from fiber and earth. While serving many purposes, Rancho de la Osa opened as a guest ranch in 1924. The Spanish-style hacienda layout, surrounded by eucalyptus and mesquite trees, as well as ocotillo plants, takes guests back in time. I can picture former presidents, movie stars and famous authors bellying up to the bar in the cantina.
The cantina, built in 1722, where happy hour, game playing and line dancing take place, is the oldest continually in use building in the entire state of Arizona. To the right of the cantina building is the Hacienda. This is where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at this all-inclusive Arizona dude ranch.
While the guest ranch is not open in the heat of the Arizona summer, the time to visit La Osa is January – April and October – December. Our visit takes place in January, an ideal time to escape the rainy Pacific Northwest. That’s not to say that there isn’t cold weather in Arizona’s Sonoran desert. Pack accordingly.
If you are looking for True Ranch Collection dude ranch experiences in Wyoming and Montana, check out Blackwater Creek Ranch in Cody, Wyoming. Look for my review of Circle Bar Ranch in Hobson, Montana later this summer!
The historic Rancho de la Osa in southern Arizona sits at 3,500 feet elevation on 239 acres. It offers 360 views of sunsets over the Pozo Verde mountains to the west and Fresnal and San Luis mountains to the east. The 3-star hotel is a member of the Dude Ranchers Association. Snap a picture of yourself on a horse with Baboquivari Peak in the distance.
Authentic western decor at Rancho de la Osa in Arizona
There are 19 guest accommodations at Rancho de la Osa in Arizona. My husband and I stayed in the Lyndon B. Johnson room with a rock fireplace and king bed. The room was rustic by our standards, but was close to the hacienda, cantina, campfire pit and the horse stables.
There’s a west wing and east wing between the zucolo, aka main square, of the ranch. This is also were star gazing and campfires take place with marshmallow roasting & s’mores in the evening.
Horseback riding at historic Rancho de la Osa
On our visit, there are 3 wranglers and 28 horses. Every guest signs a waiver and takes a walking ride if they select to go horseback riding. Fast rides are offered several times a week and require riders to pass a trot and loping test in the enclosed arena, accompanied by a wrangler.
My first trail ride takes us in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. We can spot Baboquivari Peak in the distance of the Arizona Sonoran desert. Overlook and Radio Tower are fast rides. One of my favorite trail rides at Rancho de la Osa is to the United State/Mexico border wall. This comment is not meant to spark controversy. I simply found it fascinating that the ranch was this close to the Mexican border. I was not the only guest that enjoyed the visit to the “Smart Wall” with its electronic sensors.
“The Border Wall experience was a nice surprise,” said Paul Riefenberg of North Carolina.
“The whole staff from wranglers to kitchen were great and accommodating. Wrangler Dani, in particular, was great with the kids. They could build a program around her. COO Ted Harvey was very engaged and wonderful to spend time with. The sheer history of the place and famous guests was impressive. They should promote their history more. Wide variety of activities to choose from each day. Pool is not an option probably until February. Rooms were very nice and water pressure was awesome.”
Rancho de la Osa activities in southern Arizona
According to my husband and other guests at Rancho de la Osa, you do not need to be an equestrian to enjoy ranch activities. In addition to horseback riding, the ranch offers sport shooting, archery, UTV tours, line dancing and nature walks. The ranch offers a self-guided hiking tour map of La Osa Loop Trail. You may encounter Coues whitetail deer, jack rabbits, Gambel’s Quail, roadrunners, coyote, or the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl.
Walk by the Cemetery Trail. The cemetery at La Osa dates back to the 1800’s. The ranch has been occupied since the Jesuits arrived in 1690. In the 1930’s twins Nellie and Dick Jenkins bought the ranch. Their gravestones may be found in the cemetery.
Rancho de la Osa meals
Meals at Rancho de la Osa are served family-style. Breakfast and lunch are buffet, with plated, multi-course meals served at dinner. Vegetarian and kid-friendly meals are available. Complimentary appetizers are served in the cantina nightly, including an honor bar with beer, wine, soft drinks and hard liquor. The fresh baked cookies offered at lunch are always excellent. The cook made a special birthday cake for the Tucson, Arizona birthday boy and everyone enjoyed the chocolate cake.
If You Go:
Rancho de la Osa (520) 339-1086 info@ranchodelaosa.com
Sasabe, Arizona
Historic Rancho de la Osa in southern Arizona review, YouTube video and all photography by Pacific Northwest travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Rancho de la Osa for additional magazine articles and a hotel review. All opinions are my own.