Sprucedale Guest Ranch

What an incredible week at this beautiful horse ranch. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the scenery that provided the perfect backdrop for our adventure. The ranch has that authentic, down-home country atmosphere that immediately makes you feel welcome and transported to simpler times. The horses were absolutely amazing - well-trained, gentle, and clearly well-cared for. Our wranglers were fantastic, bringing just the right mix of expertise and fun to make the experience both safe and entertaining. We were thrilled to explore the diverse trails system, each day offering it's own unique views and terrain. The variety kept things exciting throughout our rides, and we got to see so much of the beautiful landscape. Whitney was quite possibly the friendliest and most enthusiastic person you could ever meet. His passion for the ranch and genuine love for sharing this experience with visitors was infectious. You can tell this place is truly a labor of love. The kittens and puppies were adorable. Getting to participate in actual ranch work by helping round up cattle and horses was amazing. This ranch delivers an authentic, joy-filled experience that exceeded all of our expectations. It's a must visit destination. Can't wait to go back. Highlt recommend to anyone looking for a genuine Arizona ranch adventure.

Our stay at Sprucedale Ranch was extremely pleasant and memorable. The staff is very friendly and caring. The horse riding activities are perfect for adventurous people. The scenery on our rides and outside our cabin is majestic. Overall, I would highly recommend this unique experience to everyone.

One of the best weeks of my life! Everyone is so sweet, and they were super fun to be around. Christina and Sierra were some of my families favs. The wranglers are also super nice and help out a lot. The food is soooo good, and all the girls in the kitchen are the sweetest. The after dinner activities each night are also super fun, and dance night was the best. The rides were super fun, and we got to do a ton of stuff. The only downside of the trip was our water was out in our cabin for like 2 days, but it wasn’t a big deal. I would definitely recommend and I would love to go back sometime. Thanks for everything, my whole family had so much fun!

TLDR: Unsafe Riding Conditions, Run by Teens This was one of the strangest resort experiences I’ve ever had. Upon arrival, there was no formal check-in—just a teen asking for your name, height, weight, and riding experience, then pointing you to your cabin. No keys, no locks. While the area felt safe, being a solo female traveler among 50 strangers made this unsettling. I barricaded my door each night. The owner was out sick for several days, leaving the ranch in the hands of unsupervised teens—the oldest being 19. While they were friendly, they clearly needed adult supervision. There was no visible backup plan in place. The cabin matched the photos—basic but sufficient. However, several guests had no working bathroom for days due to septic issues, and my cabin had a lingering porta-potty odor. The wood stove was charming but triggered the smoke/CO detector, likely needing a deep clean. There are bears and mountain lions in the area, and bears were seen on the property during my stay. Yet, there were no alerts, safety protocols, or guidance on food storage or bear encounters provided. The riding experience was the most concerning aspect. There was a major lack of organization and safety. Rides were often late, sometimes cut short, and had virtually no orientation. The “demo” was just 15 seconds of a wrangler reading a sign. For guests with zero riding experience, there were no instructions on how to stop, go, hold the reins, or sit properly. The tack was in poor condition—literally falling apart. On one ride, a pocketknife was used to cut part of a saddle causing discomfort. Wranglers (ages 14, 15, and two 19-year-olds) struggled to manage rides and offered no briefing or consent process for the type of riding (walking, trotting, loping). Beginners who had never been on a horse were allowed to lope without preparation or control. Several wrangler behaviors were alarming. While 25 of us were mounted in a corral, a wrangler stuck a twig in my horse’s ear to annoy it. If the horse had spooked, it could’ve triggered a domino effect of injuries. On another ride, a wrangler threw a small object at my face. One guest rode a mare in heat all week, and the wranglers led us past a pasture with a stallion—an extremely reckless move, as a stallion mounting a mare under saddle could cause serious harm. Later, mares in heat were again placed in a corral with the stallion, leading to a live mounting event. This is unacceptable ranch management. Another guest and I approached the owner with our concerns once he returned. Instead of listening, he became defensive, raised his voice, and dismissed us. A simple, professional response would’ve sufficed: “Thank you for letting me know what happened in my absence. We’ll address your concerns and follow up if needed.” Instead, he shooed us out and held an urgent staff meeting. That evening, a riding lesson was finally held, which many guests found helpful—but this should’ve been done on Day 1, not halfway through the week, and not only because guests demanded it. Once the owner resumed leading rides personally, things improved noticeably—rides felt safer, more structured, and guests had a better sense of what to expect. It was clear that adult leadership made a difference, and the contrast in safety and professionalism was stark. Beyond the riding, the ranch offered a simple, scenic getaway. The kitchen staff were lovely, and evening events like “Cowboy Poetry” were delightful. But for a vacation centered around horseback riding, the disregard for guest safety was unacceptable. I will not return.

Whitney is the owner of the ranch. Beware, he might be nice to you because you’re paying him money, but when he doesn’t see you useful to him, he really won’t answer any of your concerns or questions. He treats the people who give him the most money the best, but if you stay in contact, you’ll soon find out his true colors. You’ve been warned The wrangler Emma is even worse. Just plain rude and ignores your questions.