"Tucson, Arizona" Tucson by starship

Tucson Travel Guide: 950 reviews and 2,202 photos

Riding the trail (postcard from ranch) - Tucson

~ Tanque Verde Ranch ~

After a hiatus of several years, we had the great fortune of once again returning to visit Arizona in March, 2008. This was our third visit, and the previous two had given me a "taste" for the state and so I was happy we had the opportunity to visit again, this time in the Spring and to a different part of the state.

Our first trip to Arizona focused on Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the Grand Canyon and a ride through Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon. The second was just a few days around Christmas in Phoenix. For this third visit, we flew into Phoenix, stopped briefly in Old Scottsdale, but then headed southeast to Tucson where our final destination was the "Tanque Verde Ranch."

On this trip I noticed something that I didn't remember from previous trips to Arizona: the people here are genuinely friendly and easy going! Everyone from room attendants to the airline check-in people at the airport! It was very refreshing!

Sheer joy to my eyes!

Tanque Verde Ranch, has an official Tucson address and therefore, I have placed all my information about our visit here under the "Tucson" heading. (However, there will be some points of information concerning other sights we visited around Tucson itself.) Tanque Verde Ranch has been a dream destination of mine for sometime because of one fact: the ability to ride and be around horses about 14hrs. each day. However, I came to love Tanque Verde Ranch for other reasons too! The combination of its extraordinarily beautiful natural setting, absolutely wonderful accommodations and amenities, and all the outdoor activities and events were unexpected pleasures and real bonuses which made me a very happy camper. The campfire cookouts, desert hikes, mountain biking, pools, the La Sonora Spa, sports, the "Dog House Saloon", the fantastic food, the nature talks & nature photography walks, etc., etc., etc., were all fantastic. WARNING: don't expect a TV in your room!! No one comes to the ranch to spend time indoors!

It should have come as no surprise that Tanque Verde Ranch is so popular with some families that they return year after year -- the guest list revealed one family who had visited Tanque Verde Ranch 14 times; I understand this fixation with the ranch perfectly! The ranch also seems to be popular with Europeans as well, particularly the British.

Tanque Verde Ranch was all I hoped it would be and more!!

~ Tanque Verde's Roots ~

The stunning Saguaro National Park

"Tanque Verde" rliterally means "green tank" in Spanish, which was a reference to the algae in a large and prominent stock water tank located in the area in the late 1800s. Tanque Verde is a name shared by the community of Tanque Verde (northeast of Tucson settled in 1860 by ranchers after arriving via in the westward move across the country); the Tanque Verde Valley; and a creek which is usually a dry wash but which rages in the rainy season; and mountains.

Tanque Verde Ranch was founded by Rafael Carillo in the 1880's as a working cattle ranch. But by the 1920's it had already become a "dude ranch." Today is owned by the Cote Family who does an absolutely marvelous job of offering something special for nearly everyone who visits the ranch.

Tanque Verde Ranch, which sits at about 2,800 ft., is closely surrounded by the Santa Catalina Mountains to the north and the Rincon Mountains and Valley to the east and the Saguaro National Park to the south. The large city of Tucson itself is to the west. All of this is land is part and parcel of the Sonoran Desert. Any land that is not developed is a veritable garden of cacti and mesquite, cut through with trails and dry washes. This is not to say that there are no houses, they are some---most of these have spreads with horses!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful natural setting, wildlife, cacti, horses!
Cons:Intense heat in summer, cacti thorns, poisonous critters!

Last visit to Tucson: Mar 2008
Intro Updated Nov 8, 2011
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Reviews (14)

Dog House Saloon - photo by Tanque Verde - Tucson

Great Margaritas & Its Got a Pool Table! Nightlife (2)

The one place at Tanque Verde Ranch that adults can call their own is the "Dog House Saloon." Though looking like an... more travel advice

People relaxing & one of several campfires - Tucson

Around the Campfire Nightlife (2)

On special evenings during the week, the Tanque Verde Chefs and Ranch hands would throw a campfire cookout at the... more travel advice

Roadrunners are smaller than expected! - Tucson

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Things to Do (7)

Another important place I wanted to visit but was unable to was the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. The Museum packs... more travel advice

Planed at PIMA Air & Space Museum - Tucson

"AMARG" ~ The Boneyard Tour Things to Do (7)

One of the sights that two persons of our family wished to see the most while visiting the PIMA Air & Space Museum was... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
See All Tanque Verde Ranch ~ Part II
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Comments (35)

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Nemorino Apr 15, 2013 at 2:44 PM

The Tanque Verde Ranch certainly does sound like a fantastic place -- though I notice you have put it in the "most expensive" category.
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toonsarah Aug 30, 2012 at 9:32 AM

You have me feeling sorry that I'm not a rider, as apart from that I am sure I would love it here - desert scenery, a cosy bungalow, good food and great margaritas - what's not to love! And you have done an excellent job with your detailed descriptions of the wonderful time you had here :-)
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  starship Aug 30, 2012 at 10:02 AM
  
  Oh, Sarah! Thanks so much for your visit, but your comments are too kind really. When I re-read even a page or two I realize how much work my Tucson page needs! In any case, I can't say enough good things about Tanque Verde Ranch and I just love horses!
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Yaqui Aug 18, 2012 at 11:35 AM

Howdy Little Lady! Excellent page here! I always enjoy them.
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hopang Aug 16, 2012 at 6:43 AM

Great page on Tucson Arizona. We certainly hope to visit it one day. We really admire the Colossal Cave Mountain Park. The all inclusive Tanque Verde Ranch Resort certainly attracts us a lot. Thanks for visiting our Vietnam travel page. ~ho & pang
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LoriPori Jul 1, 2012 at 8:19 AM

I love it! Horse-back riding - campfires - bbq's - open air. Bungalows look real nice too. What a lovely way to spend a vacation.
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lynnehamman Dec 14, 2011 at 12:34 PM

What an excellent page! The Tanque Verde Ranch is my kind of place, and I will certainly put it on my list of places to visit in USA. The campfire cookout looks like great fun.
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MalenaN Oct 30, 2011 at 12:19 AM

What a great place for a holiday Tanque Verde Ranch sounds to be with so many fun activities to do! Great informative tips Sylvia!
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deecat Oct 19, 2011 at 4:13 AM

This is a favorite page of mine, Sylvia. I found them to be true 5-star tips. They show dedication for detail and concern for quality in order to help us as we research for a trip. I loved The Colossal Cave information as well as the air museum, especially the Boneyard Tour. The Douglas Spring Trail sounds wonderful. You are quite the horse woman. What a great resort.
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HORSCHECK Sep 20, 2010 at 1:05 PM

Sylvia, fabulous little page with gorgeous photos. If I were in the area I would definitely give the Douglas Spring Trail a try.
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BruceDunning Jun 13, 2010 at 10:58 AM

I got here 8 years ago, and no camera. Thanks for the pictures and comments to jar my memory. The plane boneyard was huge and cool.