Hideout Ranch

Our April 2011 trip to Hideout Ranch in Portal Arizona (on the AZ/NM border) marked our third trip to the ranch in one year. Yes, it's that good! Hideout Ranch is all about riding, and their horses are fabulous. Head Wrangler, and Owner, Craig Lawson carefully hand-selected our mounts to suit our riding experience. He knows his horses, that's for sure! Each morning, after our home-cooked, hearty breakfast (cooked over an open fire, with plenty of piping hot coffee,) we loaded our horses and trailered out to a new destination. Each new day welcomed us to a wonderful new adventure. The area surrounding the ranch is chock-full of American history. During our stay, we rode to Horseshoe Canyon, Fort Bowie, the Chiricahua National Monument, and, on our last day, rode right off the ranch property into Owl Canyon.Each ride was more spectacular than the one before it. The scenery and terrain changed dramatically from ride to ride, and the horses took it all in stride. We had the opportunity to ride in places most Americans only read about in history books or watch in Western movies.Hideout Ranch owners, Craig and Tamara J. Lawson are horseman first and foremost, and just genuinely GREAT people. It doesn't matter whether you're at the ranch for a short stay or a long stay, you're going to have an awesome time.

I was looking for a horseback riding adventure and I stumbled upon the Hideout Ranch with Craig and Tamara Lawson. Well, what a find! If you're looking for a true Ranch experience, this is it! This is a working ranch with horses and cattle and they're taken care of by the Lawsons. It's rustic, wild, and homey at the same time. I was comfortably nested in one of the bunkhouses that Craig built, and enjoyed 3 homemade meals plus delicious desserts every day! The horses are amazing! They're all friendly, affectionate, well taken care of, beautiful health and wonderful to ride on! I wanted to truly learn more about horses and improve my riding and I found that Tamara teaches the Centered Balance Riding technique and that topped off this place for me! I got everything I wanted and more - a chance to truly work with horses, experience breathtaking trails, improve my riding technique, rest and relaxation, and new friends!The Lawsons keep their groups small to ensure that you get the level of attention and care you deserve. You are working with salt-of-the-earth, experienced wranglers, I trust both Craig, Tamara, and their farm hand(s). They endeavor to make you a part of their family and you'll come away richer than when you arrived!The location is remote and you get to enjoy the desert, the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, the stars at night are beautiful, and the drive to the Ranch brings your through gorgeous landscapes. **Note:- Ahem! Watch your speed on I-10...nuff said!**