Hassayampa River Working Ranch
- a working ranch in Arizona

Experience the life at a real working cattle ranch, have a look at the life and work of a cowboy... Spend a great week at a ranch in the desert of Arizona, in the Hassayampa River Wilderness.
This family owned ranch has been catering to family and friends for twenty years. Now they are open to the public to share their unique ranch experience in Arizona (near Wickenburg).
We have decided to open to the public, the hard work, good times, the beauty of the land and family atmosphere that has drawn these people, so you may all become our friends and experience this rustic lifestyle.
The Ranch does day to day cattle work, moving cattle to new pastures, branding late calves and horse activities are involved in all of this work. Cowboy crafts and old fashioned fun are presented with each person joining in as much or as little as their ability or interests allows.
Round Up Weeks:
Every year in Spring and Fall we have  round up weeks - the week before and after April 1 and October 1 - good riding experience necessary. In April we gather our cattle and brand the calves. During Memorial weekend we make a "clean up", that means we bring in and brand the late born calves.
In November we wean the calves and separate them from the cows.

GRAZ09   
2007 Rates including bunk house accommodation, 3 meals per day, great rides (several hours per day... it depends on what we have to do and how many hours the guests want/can ride... most of the time 5 hours per day)
8 days/ 7 nights $ 895    Single + $55
Season: Jan. to May and Sept to Dec
 

Ride with us to herd our cattle!
2007 Fall Round up
During the week before and after Oct 1 we ride the dry side and put the cattle back on the river pasture.
suggested arrival :  Sept. 23 or Oct. 1   for 1 or 2 weeks round up

Schedule:
In May and September we start early to take advantage of the cooler morning hours. We also work in the evenings with a middle of the day rest period or siesta. We have water running in the river for the youngsters to enjoy. Wonderful trails to hike or ride, even moonlight rides at the right times.
Our guests may help us with feeding the horses and cows in the corrals. We meet early in the morning in the kitchen, have a cup of coffee. Then we go to the corrals. There we feed our stallion, the other horses and some cows. After we finished feeding the animals we go back to the ranch house, where Carrol already prepared breakfast for all.
If you prefer to sleep in, no problem. Then you start your day with the breakfast. After breakfast we talk about what we have to do during the day. The "jobs" for the guests are: riding, riding, riding.
We go back to the corrals, we brush and saddle the horses. If our guests like their horses they can ride them for several days. We change horses after a few days, because of the trails are rocky and sometimes also very steep. So it would be too hard for a horse to go all week.
Then we ride out... checking cattle, fences and gates. We bring salt out for the cattle, there are a lot of different things to do. Sometimes you even push cattle...
Early in the afternoon we are back and go to the ranch house, where Carrol has a snack ready for the guests.
Sometimes it's really hot, then we have a "siesta" in the afternoon. you can relax in the guest house, you can go down to the river. Unfortunately the water is low, so you can't swim in the river. But there are some water holes.
Late in the afternoon we go out for another ride. If there are no jobs to do and you want to ride, no problem... We have great trails to explore, with old mines to visit.
After the ride we feed the horses and the cattle. Then you have some time to relax and get rid of all the dust. In the evening we meet in the kitchen for dinner.
You can spend the evening with us in our living room, watching movies, talking. Or you go back to the bunk house to relax there.

Accommodations

If you go on trail rides (2 days or more) or spend a week at the ranch you'll live in our rustic, but cozy bunk house. It has 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms. Our bunkhouse with hot showers and good beds is especially welcome at the close of a busy day.
Family style meals are served at the main ranch house.
Trail riders: please bring your own bedroll. You would not have to bring linens or hand soap on the working ranch experience, as that is provided in the bunkhouse arrangements.
We do not allow drinking alcoholic beverages before riding but some folks may enjoy a drink at the end of the day to relax, but you must bring any alcoholic beverages with you. We do give ice and plenty of coffee, tea, milk and things like lemonade.
If you want anything special, bring it with you.

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