Having just returned home from Grapevine, i think its fair to say i left a little part of my heart there, although im sure it will be very well looked after.
I looked for weeks at all the Ranch websites i could find in the USA and Canada and i finally decided on Grapevine. Even on the drive from the airport with my Mum(who dosnt ride much) i was nervous that i had made the right choice, especially when the road runs out and you're suddenly on dirt tracks.
I have never been more glad that i made the choice i did. It is a truely wonderful place, as are ALL the staff. I felt like part of their family.
DO NOT visit here if you want Sky TV in every room, non-stop nightlife, tacky tourist shopping malls or to be allowed to ride recklessly around the pastures alone.
DO visit if you want to suddenly not be able to remember what it was you were worrying about before you left home, ride great horses in the most beautiful countryside, feel welcome and not just like a paying guest, meet great people who may become great friends and see more stars than you've probably ever seen.
The food is simple but well done and very welcome after a days riding, the bar is well stocked and always full (which was lucky with us there!) and the rooms are very comfy, with en-suite bath/shower rooms and mini-bars. Theres a swimming pool/hottub, pool table, ping pong table, tv and video/DVD and internet access if you want to use them, although its just as nice to sit around and chat and listen to stories of horses and other peoples lives.

The best holiday i've ever had and over far too soon.

Just returned from a wonderful ranching experience. The staff, from the moment you arrive at reception, are so relaxed and genuinely friendly. My husband and I have very basic horse-riding skills but were able to undertake all the trail rides without any worries. The horses are a joy to ride and the scenery and history of the area are inspirational. Really hope to be able to return before too long.

Finding Grapevine Canyon Ranch via looking up Arizona Dude Ranches on our computer was wonderful. We flew from Orlando to Tucson, rented a car, and did some sightseeing - Old Tucson included. We'd booked only 3 nights at the ranch. My husband was not a horseperson but he was game. We found the dirt roads and out-of-the-way natural look quite refreshing. We were greeted at the office by a very nice young lady, and our cabin was clean and large--all two people could need. All meals were served buffet-style, which was quite nice, and the ranch cook did her best to please my hubby the vegetarian/lowfat eater (request special diet in advance). Breakfasts were made to order...loved the granola-yogurt "parfait". The horses we rode were gentle and well-trained, and the morning ride lasted approx. 2 1/2 to 3 hrs (longer than I expected). We travelled down steep slopes at times (made it exciting). And to think we were riding not too far from Tombstone! It was overwhelming to think about those who had journeyed through the area so long ago on foot, in wagons or on horseback. We met a young couple from England visiting the ranch and enjoyed their company. Did I mention I am over 60 and my hubby is beyond 70 yrs of age? The first morning's ride made me so stiff & sore, I simply could not manage it the 2nd morning! And I am the horselover! My hubby went without me and had a great time. The group rode up to an overlook, and the guide pointed out the wagon track below...the old road toward Tombstone. I spent the morning walking around, taking OTC painkiller, and reading....something I enjoy. It was not boring--very relaxing. I saw some quail out near our cabin. That night, in the rec room we ate popcorn and watched a video of the ranch owner & Adam, the horse guy, trying to teach a non-cowboy how to do ranch-type stuff--for a tv series where the contestants try to fool the judges into thinking they are real performers. Anyway, it was delightful. Next morning, I was ready to ride again and thoroughly enjoyed the crisp morning air--the wonderful companions & guide....and the horses. After lunch, we had to say goodbye to one and all...wished we didn't have to go. In the office, we were presented with some homebaked chocolate chip cookies "for the road". As we drove back through the ranch gate toward to road, I promised myself I'd go back again. Have not had the opportunity yet, but it is still a goal. Didn't miss tv, radio, phone or anything. These were available but not in the cabins. Wouldn't have used anyway.

Four of us spent four nights here. Although I knew this was a dude ranch, I didn't expect the long dirt road up to it. Don't take a nice car there since it will get scratched from the trees & bushes along the path. You cannot see the ranch while driving up to it. Eve handles the front desk and had already memorized our names when we arrived. She is very welcoming to everyone and gave us a goodie bag when checking out. The rest of the staff were friendly enough, but didn't go out of their way. Most of your time here will be spent horse back riding. I had picked this place since we didn't want to ride nose to tail, but we did that even while on the advanced ride. There are many trails for the morning rides. It may look like 30 people are riding out together, but the guides will separate the groups. On our first ride, the four of us got to just go alone with our guide. The morning rides are about 3 hours. During the morning & afternoon rides, you aren't riding to anything just riding around. There is little wildlife out there, so we only saw the ranch's cows and a few deer in the distance. It is also hard to talk to anyone else since you are riding in a line. The day rides may go to a site to visit, but we didn't try those. They give you minimal instructions before heading out, but you can pay for a lesson. A beginner would not have trouble with these horses, except for trying to keep them from eating instead of walking. The afternoon rides are only one hour and are done in larger groups. After your daily ride, they will show you how to unsaddle & brush down the horse if you are interested. The food needed to be upgraded and having more options (besides the main item or salad/sandwich) would have been nice. The cabin was ok and fairly big. This is a great place to go to get away from it all. The cabins have no tv, no radio, and no phone, and they give you flashlights if you try to walk around after dinner since they are no path lights. Our group didn't need peace & quiet and thought there would be activities at night (campfires, sing alongs, etc). Everyone seems to go to bed after dinner, which was dull for us night owls but we didn't have to share the one tv or the pool table. Except for meals being at a set time in one room, don't expect to get to know the other guests. There isn't time between riding and people going back to their cabins to recover after dinner. We did have to leave before the night the band came, though. The place was an experience, but just too inactive to return to.