Grapevine Canyon Ranch

Wild and rugged, in the heart of Apache territory, the ranch is located in a beautiful secluded canyon of the Dragoon Mountains at an elevation of 5000 ft (1500m) some 85 miles from Tucson.

This guest and working cattle ranch offers some of the best horseback riding vacations, pack trips and adventure horse treks, in the prettiest part of Arizona. The Dragoon Mountains, rich in western history as well as Indian history, were once the home of Apache chief Cochise, and infamous Geronimo, feuding cowboys and Indians, miners seeking riches in the towns of Pearce, Tombstone and Bisbee, all notorious names in the history of the Old West. As well as the best of trail rides and advanced rides, we also offer unparalleled rest and relaxation, in the most healthy and tranquil getaway vacation possible.

Enjoy unforgettable star gazing under spectacular night skies, birding, camping, and hiking. Trail ride well trained, willing and responsive horses, enjoy the secluded cabins and soul satisfying home cooked meals, come for a group retreat, a family reunion, anniversary, or special occasion.

There is something magical about Grapevine Canyon that will make you feel at home the minute you arrive. The canyon was a refuge for the Chiricahua Apaches in years gone by, and it remains today a refuge for people escaping from the many stresses of modern life, a place where they can unwind, regroup and refresh their spirit.

It is said that the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man, and our horses, whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, will share with you a new world of hidden canyons, lofty ridges, old Indian trails and endless vistas, making for a relaxing, memorable vacation.

+1 604-323-1141

Itinerary / Highlights

Our riding program is offered over a two week period so that guests staying with us for longer than a week can experience varying trails over some of the most beautiful country in south east Arizona. The all day rides go to different locations every day, with the exception of the popular Chiricahua National Monument's “Wonderland of Rocks” ride and the ruins of Old Fort Bowie ride, which are available every week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively. On Saturday mornings, riders who are “lope checked” can enjoy a morning of team penning. The all day rides are available every day except Sundays, when the program offers a morning ride, either trail or an advanced “loping” ride. Both rides meet at the roping arena for the Sunday “Horseback Games” where you can test your skill and your horse's willingness in a series of competitions. Following this, all riders gather round the cook-wagon to enjoy a tasty lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and fixing's cooked over an open fire. In the summer, this becomes a breakfast cook-out, with lunch served back at the ranch following the morning's rides.

A typical day …
Breakfast is between 7:30 and 8:30*. You order from a full menu, and you can also sign up for that evening's activities. If going on a day ride, fix your lunch from the goodies provided and pack it in a lunch box and then in an insulated bag. Don't forget the munchies like peanuts, or trail mix, fruit juice or cookies. Above all, don't forget your water bottle & or two!
8:30 & Wander out to the corral and if ready, mount your horse. Ride around the arena until all your ride is mounted, and then depart. Rides leave as soon all riders are mounted & the day rides preferably leave first, as it can be a long day in the saddle!
If you have opted for the day ride, you will leave at 8:45 am, and return around 4 pm, tired but happy.
If you're on the morning ride, you'll return to the ranch around noon. If you wish, you can groom your horse after the ride and put him away & horsey friendships are formed here!! If you would rather not, no problem - just leave it to the wranglers. You may also choose to do the cowboy ride and check the cattle with the cowboy, offered on Mondays and Thursdays, or try your hand at team penning on Saturday mornings, or Horseback Games on Sundays.
Lunch is at 1:00 pm & a hot lunch, a full salad bar, and dessert selection, and a sandwich fixin's table for those wishing a lighter meal. The lunch and evening menus rotate every six weeks, with the exception of steaks dinners on Thursdays and BBQ ribs on Saturdays & two perennial favorites!
2 pm & and time for the short afternoon ride, designed for those for whom three hours in the saddle is a bit much - and also for those for whom three hours in the morning is not enough! This ride generally explores Grapevine Canyon and surroundings, and returns around 3 pm.
For those who don't ride, the afternoon is a good time for sightseeing, or spending lazy hours around the pool or hot tub, or in hiking, birdwatching, or watching movies in the video room.
5 pm & time to visit the ranch store, with its myriad goodies for yourself or friends at home, or wander to the Cook Shack bar, to enjoy a drink and some home made chips and salsa, a specialty of the ranch.
6:30 is dinner time, always a three course meal, with everything, including the breads, cooked on the ranch, served family style, and followed by the evening's program** & or by just plain relaxing!
9 pm & the bar closes, and most people are happy to return to their accommodations and their fully stocked minibars & but many stay on, swapping tales of the day's doings, or playing pool, darts or ping pong in the Buffalo Room.

* During the three summer months, our clock is set back one hour, in order to enjoy the cooler weather and the lovely evenings. Then breakfast is from 6:30 & 7:30, the rides leave an hour earlier, and the afternoon ride becomes an evening ride, taken after dinner to enjoy the spectacular Arizona sunsets or full-moon evenings.

* The programs vary by day & one evening there is a short talk on the history of the area, Thursday evening offers live country western music and dancing, other evenings are spent playing poker (for tokens only) or challenging each other at a game of Spoons. And of course, always there is lively conversation amongst guests who come here from all over the world.

* On Sundays we enjoy a cook out lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs, served at the cattle ranch headquarters following the morning ride and the Horseback Games - in the summer months this is a breakfast cook-out, with hot cakes, eggs, sausages and all sorts of breakfast goodies.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

The accommodations at Grapevine are first class, very comfortable, spacious and with individual furnishings, so that no two are alike. All accommodations have numerous amenities for your convenience. These include: coffee pots for coffee or tea, refrigerators, hair dryers, pool towels, bathrobes.
All accommodations are both air cooled, and heated, although generally you need heat in the evenings only. The casitas are free standing, while two of the cabins are a duplex. All buildings are secluded in groves of shady oaks and manzanita.
--- Due to the water shortage we will no longer have laundry facilities on the premises.

Casitas
Casitas are approximately 600 square feet (55.7418 m²) in size. Some are divided into two separate areas - a sleeping and a living area. Others have two definite rooms divided by a lockable door, allowing the living room to be used as another bedroom. Two of the casitas have a king-sized bed, the others have queen beds. The casitas all have bathrooms with showers and bath tubs. For privacy, the bathroom is accessible from each side. Casitas can sleep up to five people.

Casita Floorplan
Chaparral Casita – a deluxe accommodation, perfect for that honeymoon, anniversary celebration or just plain self indulgence! The Chaparral has a spectacular view, facing the wilderness of Grapevine Canyon, with no other buildings in sight. Its unique position allowed us to place a spa/hot tub on the back deck, where you can soak to your heart´s content in total privacy. Inside, enjoy the special touches of a south-western lodge pole bedroom, minibar, refrigerator, coffee pot and all the fixin´s, as well as a spacious living area, the whole totaling 700 sq.ft.

Cabins
Cabins are spacious single rooms. They sleep two people comfortably, with a queen-sized bed and a hide-a-bed sofa. The bath has a stall shower. Cabins: Manzanita, Rocking A, and Adobe.
Cabin Floorplan

Due to the water shortage we will no longer have laundry facilities on the premises.

Lodge
The lodge has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and two sitting rooms, as well as a large porch and a very large screened Arizona Room with a ping pong table. It is suitable for a family or group, and will sleep up to nine persons. We call it the Faraway because it is the furthest from the main ranch complex, so affording lots of privacy to family or business groups.

What about the food?
The meals here at Grapevine are delectable, to say the least and everything is home made, from the scrumptious, fresh bread, baked daily, to the delicious desserts and ice creams. As quite a few of our guests stay for several weeks, we offer a six-week rotating menu. Breakfast is the only meal ordered from a menu, and offers a wide selection of various egg dishes, such as plain, Mexican or cheese omelets, the normal selection of eggs, bacon or sausage, delicious pancakes, and, for the light eaters, a fabulous breakfast parfait of no sugar granola layered with low fat yogurt and fruit, just to mention a few. Various sweet breads such as fresh made banana, blueberry bread, pineapple or pumpkin breads are offered daily, together with a selection of fruit juices. Breakfast is served from 7:30 am during the autumn, winter and spring months, and from 6:30 am during the summer months. Here's just a taste of what you can expect when you visit us. These are certainly meals to plan your vacation around!

All meals are accompanied by a side dish (e.g., rice, potatoes, pasta), one or two vegetables, homemade bread, and a salad, with a fresh, tempting dessert to follow. All our meals are home-cooked and prepared in our kitchens, including our ice creams and breads - with the exception of the sandwich bread. Lunches vary, but always include a hot entree, cold meats and cheese for those who prefer a sandwich, and a full scale salad bar for the health-conscious eaters. We are happy to accommodate vegetarians, but do let us know when you make your reservation! It helps if we know of special requests at least a week in advance as we are eighty-five miles from our suppliers.

Buffalo Room
The Buffalo Room is a fun place for evening entertainment with a pool table and table tennis. The Buffalo Room joins the Video Room with television, video players and a large film library.

Cook Shack
The Cook Shack dining room is for your use, at meal times and otherwise. It has an old fashioned potbelly stove for those cool mornings.

Longhorn Room
The Longhorn Room has a wide selection of magazines and books, as well as a wealth of material on Grapevine; its history, bird life, and geology. There is a large stone fireplace to sit around on cozy winter evenings. And our many-volumed scrapbook collection with photographs and letters from our guests is quite interesting and available for browsing.

The Swimming Pool
For those guests wanting some sun with their fun, there is a heated swimming pool (April through October) in a lovely spot near the Cook Shack. A rustic arbor provides welcome shade - and an inviting nook where you can enjoy a summer meal. A hot tub waits nearby for anyone wanting to relax after an energizing day in the saddle. Pool hours are 8:00a to 9:00p. There is no lifeguard on duty.