Awarded "10 Unbelievable Places to Celebrate Airbnb's 10th Anniversary" by MillionMile Magazine & LUX Magazine 2020 & 2023 winner of "Most Serene Desert Accommodation/Horse Boarding Facility Southwest USA". Enjoy a Western ranch experience on the National Forest, close to Scottsdale, in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. Beautifully decorated, 800 sq feet, private courtyard - Rio Rancho Verde offers a secluded, serene, spectacular stay. Hike right out our back gate to remote desert trails.
The space
Rio Rancho Verde offers an amazingly unique and authentic Arizona experience in the heart of the desert, just miles from the city. VRBO selected us (one of 5 out of 3500 vacation rentals in Scottsdale) to shoot a social media promotion on Youtube and Hulu and Amazon Prime have also shot on location here at the ranch for ongoing series (a Western and a cooking show!). This exclusive and upscale Western Eco-ranch and equine boarding facility is located on the edge of the Tonto National Forest, 1/2 mile from the stunning and scenic Scottsdale McDowell Preserve, yet close enough to the city to enjoy fine dining, shopping and nightlife. Enjoy an upscale ranch experience and discover the inner operations of an exclusive and unique horse boarding facility. Our beautifully decorated 800 sq ft Western casita/bunkhouse includes a full kitchen and bathroom along with a private courtyard. Enjoy our "hands on" barn experience, included in your stay - look in on the " behind the scenes" day to day operations of ranch management and barn maintenance, take a roping lesson from our onsite cowboy (no cows involved!), sign up for manure management or rent a trusty steed at the stables down the road. We are committed to a life style of sustainability, being mindful of the ecology and the beautiful space in which we live. We’re active promoters of "reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose" and embrace the desert environment that surrounds us. Guests are welcome to help themselves to our organic garden (seasonal). Our secluded and remote location is surrounded by the most amazing mountain views, Saguaro cactus and Sonoran Desert scenery and offers a relaxing alternative to the fast pace of city life. Walk, hike, bike or ride out our gate to miles of trails in the Tonto or the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve, or just relax and recharge in this peaceful retreat with a cool cocktail and watch the spectacular sunset on the ridge overlooking the mountain peaks and desert vistas before the sky fills with stars. You’re sure to hear a coyote or two howling in the distance!
Our tastefully decorated chic Western Bunkhouse/Casita offers designer décor with a combination of upscale Southwestern and Western furnishings and accessories with all the amenities. Over 800 square feet of open floor plan, complete with big screen TV, AC, dining area (seats 6), king size bed and a private courtyard with BBQ that faces the Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve. We can add an additional portable bed for an extra fee. Enjoy cocktails as you watch the sun set and turn the skies crimson, take your morning coffee down to the barn and help us grain the horses or enjoy the sky full of stars over dinner on your own private patio. Take a side trip to the Verde River (9 miles) and keep an eye out for the wild horses that call this area home. There's a stable down the road where you can rent horses, and bikes are available for rent, which can be delivered to the ranch. It's an amazing beautiful site, far enough out that you'll feel like you're in the middle of nowhere but only 25 minutes from Scottsdale. If the bunkhouse is not available please see our other listings which should be able to be located on the map next to this one. There truly is something for everyone at Rio Rancho Verde!
We respect our guests privacy but are always available to answer questions, or share our knowledge of the area with you!
Our neighborhood really isn't! We live in a rural area, and our closest neighbor is 1/4 mile away - since we're on the National Forest, our views are unobstructed by homes, traffic, etc. We're on a well maintained dirt road, and easily accessible, just far enough away from the city to feel like you're in the middle of nowhere, but only 20 minutes from fine dining and shopping!
Just a note, it's very, very dark out here and there are no streetlights. Lighting at the ranch is limited as we try to respect the Dark Skies ordinances.
We truly live in paradise and get to enjoy the best of both city living and rural relaxation.
You'll need a car, Uber is available with advance notice.
Two night minimum stay on all bookings. Four guest maximum in the bunkhouse/casita.
Pets are welcome (no cats please), check with owner. A $75 pet fee per pet is in addition and will be added to your reservation fees. All pets must be current on shots and vaccinations and get along with others.
Also, ATT, T Mobile and Sprint can be spotty. Verizon works best.
Adults only January through April. Children over 12 are allowed during the off season with prior notification.
We will forward directions prior to your arrival. Please print these out and follow them as Mapquest and your GPS will not give you the correct route.
Guest access
The bunkhouse is all yours, along with the private courtyard. We also have a 2 bedroom private suite with pool, but that's only available to guests of the suite. Feel free to walk around and visit with our horse boarders, campers and resident cowboys. We welcome you to help yourselves to our organic garden, the horses love the carrots (but check first as some of the horses have special diets!)
Other things to note
We also board horses and offer space for those wishing to spend time exploring the Arizona desert. We're a small facility, and the bunkhouse is available for those with and without horses! It's a true ranch experience, remotely located but offering all the conveniences of Scottsdale or the Wild West towns of Cave Creek and Carefree, just a short drive away. We've got incredible trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding right outside our gate.
Also, if the Western casita is booked, please check out our other listing, we have a private 2 bedroom suite with pool and a luxury brand new travel trailer that also may be available. Check the map for our other locations, they'll be listed right next to this one.
Verizon works best, Sprint, ATT and TMobile are spotty.
Please note: 2 night minimum stay Tax is in addition (7.27%) and will be collected at the end of your stay if it is not collected by Airbnb. We will forward directions prior to your arrival. Please print these out and follow them, as Mapquest and your GPS will not give you the correct directions.
We do not allow weddings, parties or corporate events.
