Rancho Los Baños is a private 30,000 acre eco adventure and nature travel guest ranch, a genuine Mexican working cattle ranch and wilderness preserve located a mere 50 miles south of the southeast Arizona town of Douglas.

While we are located in safe, secure northeast Sonora, Mexico, we are so close to Arizona that we would like you to consider our ranch for a possible stay. If you love riding, there is no comparision in the Southwest. We offer a land, a vastness, seclusion and scenery that is incomparable, a level above any guest/working ranch in Arizona, and more scenic, unique, pristine and spectacular as well. Exclusive, serene, and exotic, offering 30,000 pristine acres of back country riding, the ranch offers a great holiday stay, with trail rides that thrill, challenge and inspire.

Our offices are based in Tucson. Through our shuttle service, we personally pick you up in Tucson or Douglas, airport or central hotel, drive you to the ranch and back, leaving the driving to us and the sightseeing to you.

We are not your typical guest or Dude ranch, but rather a new generation guest ranch catering to new generation adventure travelers, offering world-class back country horseback riding and high desert, box canyon hiking, among many other adventures. We remain, however, a genuine, old-school Mexican working ranch. We are a unique, original and exclusive guest ranch, unlike anything else around, combining the best of adventure, outdoors and nature travel ideas with the most modern in guest ranch thinking. We are best known for our world-class horseback riding and trail rides along with our hiking, walking and trekking wilderness and box canyon adventures.

Quickly gaining a reputation for the best and most scenic back country riding anywhere, come discover what many past guests refer to the best riding they have ever done. With security a non-issue, as our past guests quickly discover, enjoy a stay surrounded by a wilderness that is majestic, spectacular and completely unspoiled, in a part of the world that is as safe as any other ranch in North America.

Combining sustainability and environmental protection, our adventures are thrilling, challenging and educational, fun-filled and environmentally-friendly. Our serene and peaceful surroundings will reenergize and rejuvenate you. Our ranch is a great escape, a chance to surround yourself with pristine wilderness, scenic landscapes and a quietness that is often sought but hard to find. Offering a freedom seldom experienced in traditional guest ranches, you will ride as it has always been meant to, surrounded by complete beauty, with little restraints, no fences, with great horses, in amazing diversity, and in sheer vastness that is breathtaking.

Combined with great B&B-style accommodations and service, all inclusive packages, unbeatable rates, Mexican hospitality and food that is second to none, close proximity to the United States, staying in pristine and isolated land, and a natural scenery that is spectacular to see, together with world-class horseback riding and hiking, Rancho Los Baños, through our tourism branch, Tierra Chamahua EcoAdventures, is sure to make your stay an exciting, fun-filled, relaxing and memorable one.

Good to know

  • Works with travel agents?

    yes
  • Good time to go

    Good time to go is from August through May, from opening to closing. We are an ideal stay year-round. Springtime for wildflowers, green summer for monsoon storms, late summer for green desert and insects, November for our yearly roundup, Winter for great daytime temperatures and weather.

Lowdown

  • Owner(s)

    Valenzuela family
  • Address

    Douglas, Arizona, USA
  • Tel

    520.955.2577
  • Capacity

    16
  • Open

    Jan-May, Aug-Dec - view details
  • Nightly rate

    $130-175 - view details
  • Ranch Type

    Guest Ranch, Working Ranch, Bed & Breakfast
  • Great for

    Romance, Action & adventure, Peace & quiet, Solitude, Diverse scenery, Kids - age 10+

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Highs

  • Ideal for backcountry horseback riding - pristine and unspoiled. The diversity in this land and plant life makes it an exotic ranch vacation
  • You will not see a sign of civilization for miles. The ranch is a wilderness area that, located in the US or Canada, would be considered a national park, with comparisons to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Big Bend and Kenya/Tanzania
  • Set on an actual working ranch; whereas when there is actual cattle work, guests are welcome to participate
  • Embrace Mexican culture, food and hospitality. Great value vacation. Hospitality at its finest
  • Set in beautiful Sonora, Mexico. Fly into Arizona and be personally escorted through the border to this exotic piece of heaven

Lows

  • One guest notes, "Don't come here for luxury or pampering, but your stay can be as relaxing or as active as you wish - a great value with phenomenal riding and hospitality"
 

Summer Season Rates & Booking

  • Open

    Aug-Nov
  • Nightly rate

    $130-175
  • Nightly rate (non-rider)

    $130-175
  • Minimum stay

    3 days
  • Preferred arrival day

    Any day is fine
  • Preferred depart day

    Any day is fine
  • Included FREE in your stay

  • meals, activities, ranch shuttle, lodging
  • Extras

  • Tax

    7.5%
  • Gratuity

    you can choose!

Winter Season Rates & Booking

  • Open

    Jan-May, Nov-Dec
  • Nightly rate

    $130-175
  • Nightly rate (non-rider)

    $130-175
  • Minimum stay

    3 days
  • Preferred arrival day

    Any day is fine
  • Preferred depart day

    Any day is fine
  • Included FREE in your stay

  • meals, activities, ranch shuttle, lodging
  • Extras

  • Tax

    7.5%
  • Gratuity

    you can choose!

Environmental & Social Practices

  • Environment

  • We run solar energy in our lodges, practice "Leave No Trace Behind" methods while hiking, and do our best to minimize our footprint on the natural environment.

  • Community

  • Ecotourism: We return a percentage of our profits to the local villages where some of our employees work. We also hire people from these locations, offering them very decent wages.

  • Food

  • Our all inclusive rates and packages offer three great gourmet, home-cooked meals a day, including fresh, mesquite fire cooked Mexican food, both northern and southern Mexican dishes, combined with tasty home-made pastries and other such delights. All snacks and drinks are also provided.

    We dine family style in either our dining area or outdoor table, on our balcony, overlooking vistas that are scenic and spectacular. When on hiking adventures, we carry lunches with us inside the canyons, to be eaten in intimate, private and fantastic settings.

    Guests are encouraged to bring your own alcohol, as well as favorite foods and snacks as well. Alcohol in moderation served, compliments of the ranch.

    Our meals are a constant guest favorite, made with pride and lots of love, without cutting corners, full of quality and quantity.  Tasty, plentiful and delicious, our meals, from breakfast to dinner, will not disappoint. Examples of our meals include Mexican style-pulled pork (Carnitas) with home-made beans, tortillas and rice, homemade tamales, quesadillas, guacamole, chicken fajitas, mesquite-grilled steaks and porkchops, huevos rancheros, chile con carne, roasted oven chicken, enchiladas, chilaquiles, sopes, enfrijoladas, homemade chili and much more.

    We do cater to vegetarians, vegans and religious/philosophical tastes.Our all inclusive rates and packages offer three great gourmet, home-cooked meals a day, including fresh, mesquite fire cooked Mexican food, both northern and southern Mexican dishes, combined with tasty home-made pastries and other such delights. All snacks and drinks are also provided.

    We dine family style in either our dining area or outdoor table, on our balcony, overlooking vistas that are scenic and spectacular. When on hiking adventures, we carry lunches with us inside the canyons, to be eaten in intimate, private and fantastic settings.

    Guests are encouraged to bring your own alcohol, as well as favorite foods and snacks as well. Alcohol in moderation served, compliments of the ranch.

    Our meals are a constant guest favorite, made with pride and lots of love, without cutting corners, full of quality and quantity. Tasty, plentiful and delicious, our meals, from breakfast to dinner, will not disappoint. Examples of our meals include Mexican style-pulled pork (Carnitas) with home-made beans, tortillas and rice, homemade tamales, quesadillas, guacamole, chicken fajitas, mesquite-grilled steaks and porkchops, huevos rancheros, chile con carne, roasted oven chicken, enchiladas, chilaquiles, sopes, enfrijoladas, homemade chili and much more.

    We do cater to vegetarians, vegans and religious/philosophical tastes.

Weather

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Avg Temp (°F):

6570758085951059085807570

Avg Rainfall (in):

210000882001

Lowdown

  • Elevation

    3,300 ft.
  • Generate power

    Solar and generator power
  • Remote Location

 

Nearest Airports

  • Tucson International Airport, Douglas, Arizona

  • Nearest town / city

    Douglas, Arizona
  • Distance to ranch

    55 miles
  • Time to ranch

    3 hours 30 mins
  • Airlines

    Delta, United, Northwest, Alaska, US Airways, American Airlines, Southwest
  • Ranch shuttle

    Included in Rate
  • Rental car

    4x4 recommended

Nearest Town / City

  • Douglas, AZ

  • Population

    15,000
  • Distance

    55 miles
  • Time from ranch

    3 hours
  • Facilities

    grocery store, pharmacy, church, school, post office, medical clinic, bank, atm, gas station
  • Shopping

    small hometown necessity shops
  • Ranch shuttle

    $30
  • Rental car

    4x4 recommended
 

Our riding stands out

  • 30,000 acres of scenic, unique, unspoiled privately owned wilderness
  • Remote, rugged, diverse, vertical and wild country. Sheer vastness.
  • No nose to tail rides but rather freedom, intimacy, privacy and tranquility

Our horses

  • guest horses

    25
  • horse types

    Quarterhorse, Geldings, Mares, Mexican Criollo

Our Riding

  • Guided rides

    With one of our cowboys, or vaqueros, acting as guide, you will traverse miles of back country trails, through some of the most scenic and pristine country around.

Good to know

  • Riding considerations

    Up to 225 lbs, no riding experience needed, We recommend a good level of physical fitness, Riders should be confident without a wrangler by their side
  • Saddles

    Western

Lowdown

  • Type of riding

    Western Riding
  • Riding opportunities for

    Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced
  • Most riders are

    Intermediate
  • Rides are grouped by

    Ability, Pace of Ride, Rides tailored to guest requests, Rides dictated by ranch work, Families Ride Together
  • We take small groups at one time, so we accommodate personal requests. As you are interested in cattle work, our rides can be centered around the work that needs to get done.
  • Max riders per ride

    5
  • Wranglers per ride

    1
  • Pace of ride

    Walk, Trot, Lope

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You'll enjoy

  • hours in the Saddle

    Morning - 4 hours, Afternoon - 2 hours, Evening - n/a
  • Two tiers of Riding hours: 2-3 hours per day included in Daily Rate. 4-6 hours/day, our full day back country rides, at additional cost of $30/day per guest.
  • Riding

    Openly through property, On specified trails
 

Sample Riding Itinerary

  • With 30,000 unspoiled and private acres of wilderness as your personal playground, backcountry horseback riding at northeast Sonora's Rancho Los Baños offers almost unlimited hours of thrilling, challenging, yet fun-filled adventure riding in remote, rugged and secluded isolation, surrounded by sierras, hills, canyons and unsurpassed, unspoiled nature. Indeed, the sheer vastness of the ranch will inspire you, while the landscapes and scenery that makes us unique will thrill you.

    Discover a world-class riding ranch, quickly gaining worldwide recognition for our outstanding riding trails, our scenery, our back country and adventures. To ride at the ranch is to ride at one of the best riding ranches anywhere in the world.

    With no signs of civilization, you will immerse yourself in our high desert environments, whether riding inside box canyons, river beds, vertical and rocky sierras, high elevation terrains, ravines, cliffs, mesas and/or rolling foothills dressed in golden grass. With elevation range between 3,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level, you can select our high country or canyonlands riding trails. With our old and new school genuine Mexican cowboys as your guides, riding at Rancho Los Baños will become an unforgettable experience, whether you are an experienced rider or a beginner.

Setting

  • Private Land - 20,000-40,000 (acres)

  • At Rancho Los Baños you will find a diverse array of desert flora and fauna, with habitats and elevations ranging between 3,200 in our Canyonlands and 7,450 feet above sea level at the top of El Pinito mountain. Here you will see spectacular views that go on for miles, as well as a combination of vegetation unique in the world, to be found nowhere else. The ranch’s many diverse sections, whether in our high country or our Canyonlands, will each offer something different and exotic, combined with a land that is as rugged and wild, and unique, as anywhere on the planet.

Our all inclusive rates and packages offer three great gourmet, home-cooked meals a day, including fresh, mesquite fire cooked Mexican food, both northern and southern Mexican dishes, combined with tasty home-made pastries and other such delights. All snacks and drinks are also provided.

We dine family style in either our dining area or outdoor table, on our balcony, overlooking vistas that are scenic and spectacular. When on hiking adventures, we carry lunches with us inside the canyons, to be eaten in intimate, private and fantastic settings.

Guests are encouraged to bring your own alcohol, as well as favorite foods and snacks as well. Alcohol in moderation served, compliments of the ranch.

Our meals are a constant guest favorite, made with pride and lots of love, without cutting corners, full of quality and quantity.  Tasty, plentiful and delicious, our meals, from breakfast to dinner, will not disappoint.

We do cater to vegetarians, vegans and religious/philosophical tastes.

Good to know

Alcohol

BYOB, wine provided with dinner

Snacking

Stocked refrigerator, BYO snack

Lowdown

  • Enjoy

    Ranch-style
  • Meals served

    family style, meals roll with days activities, everyone eats together
  • Enjoy dining in

    nature settings, patio, dining room (casual attire)
  • You'll definitely love

    ranch-raised beef, organic produce, locally grown produce, fresh daily bread, fresh daily desserts
  • Dietary restrictions catered for include

    lactose intolerant, vegans, vegetarians, other

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Guest Favorites

  • Carnitas with flour tortillas, beans, rice
  • Chicken fajitas, fresh guacamole
  • Tamales, quesadillas and beans, enchiladas
 

Children at the Ranch

Great for children aged 10 and over



Children 10 and older are welcome at the ranch to join in with their parents in activities.

Please contact us for more information!

The Valenzuela family, cattle ranching pioneers from the northeast of Sonora dating back to the early 20th century, has owned and operated the ranch continuously since the early 1950's, now three generations strong, as always protecting its wildlife and preserving its natural beauty. Having emigrated originally from Andalucia, southern Spain, in the mid 1600's, settling in northeast Sonora, the Valenzuelas' have a great understanding of this part of the world.

The new generation is American raised and educated, at one time having called Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Phoenix and Barcelona, Spain home. They are both bilingual and bicultural,  having previously worked as marketing executives, business managers, in human resources, education and the law. Over the years, the Valenzuelas' have successfully managed the ranch through thick and thin, drought and abundance, helping make the ranch one of the most successful ranching enterprises in Sonora. The family's deep seated belief in living with nature and not at its expense has helped preserve this enchanting land much the same way as it has been for thousands of years. 

Our Team consists of a collection of family, old and new school vaqueros, and American/European guides/hosts and personnel that, together, help make your stay with us a memorable, relaxing and thrilling experience.  We are a tight-knit group that strives to provide great hospitality  and top-notch service. 

Lowdown

  • Ranch established

    1952
  • Guest ranch since

    2008
  • Ranchers for

    3 generations

Our Staff

  • commitment to excellence
  • intelligence and reasoning skills
  • love of the outdoors/animals

Email Ranch  View Website

 

Owner Info

  • Owner - Valenzuela family

  • Languages spoken

    english, spanish
  • The Valenzuela family, cattle ranching pioneers from the northeast of Sonora dating back to the early 20th century, has owned and operated the ranch continuously since the early 1950's, now three generations strong, as always protecting its wildlife and preserving its natural beauty. Having emigrated originally from Andalucia, southern Spain, in the mid 1600's, settling in northeast Sonora, the Valenzuelas' have a great understanding of this part of the world.

    The new generation is American raised and educated, at one time having called Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Phoenix and Barcelona, Spain home. They are both bilingual and bicultural,  having previously worked as marketing executives, business managers, in human resources, education and the law. Over the years, the Valenzuelas' have successfully managed the ranch through thick and thin, drought and abundance, helping make the ranch one of the most successful ranching enterprises in Sonora. The family's deep seated belief in living with nature and not at its expense has helped preserve this enchanting land much the same way as it has been for thousands of years. 

    Our Team consists of a collection of family, old and new school vaqueros, and American guides and personnel that, together, help make your stay with us a memorable, relaxing and thrilling experience.  We are a tight-knit group that strives to provide great hospitality  and top-notch service.

Rooms & Rates

  • Room type | nameSummer ratesWinter rates

  • House | El Cumaral Lodge$130-$175$130-$175

    • Description

      Our modern B&B-style ranch house will become your home away from home, offering homey comfort and relaxation. Offering private, single and double occupancy rooms in a very comfortable and clean setting, with solar energy, satellite radio/tv and flatscreen television, with hot water and fully functioning restrooms, our home will welcome you with open arms. When relaxing or eating outside, you will enjoy our 360 degree views from our covered, wrap-around porch that are something out of a Western movie.
    • Rooms

      3
    • Max occupancy

      8
    • Prices listed are

      per person
    • Minimum stay

      3 nights
    • Bathrooms

      Private bathroom, Shared bathroom
    • Amenities

      fridge, seating area, wood fireplace
    • Entertainment

      tv, dvd, cable / satellite tv
  • Cabin | Cabana de los Penascos$130-$175$130-$175

    • Description

      Two large bedrooms w/capacity for multiple beds; Quaint, rustic, historical, like stepping back a century in time. Secluded/Private, Located at Base Camp, 200 feet from El Cajon entrance, close to Cajon Aguaje. Enveloped by Canyon Walls; views of cliffs, rock formations; Fireplace, Full kitchen with wood stove, gas stove/oven, full bathroom. Hot Water. No electricity, oil/gas lamps provided. Generator power available.
    • Rooms

      2
    • Max occupancy

      8
    • Prices listed are

      per person
    • Minimum stay

      3 nights
    • Bathrooms

      Private bathroom
    • Amenities

      seating area, wood fireplace
  • Cabin | Cabana de los Vaqueros$130-$175$130-$175

    • Description

      Small style cabin with bathroom and kitchen. One large bedroom that can accommodate up to four guests. Twin beds, bunk beds, queen can be set up as well. Nice porch area, very private and intimate, located 75 feet from El Cumaral Lodge. Newly renovated.
    • Rooms

      2
    • Max occupancy

      6
    • Prices listed are

      per person
    • Minimum stay

      3 nights
    • Bathrooms

      Private bathroom
    • Amenities

      seating area

Services

Communications

  • telephone

Additional Services

  • Weddings

    We can cater for groups of up to 30. Please contact us for a beautiful destination wedding.

Onsite

Outdoor Activities

  • climbing
  • mountain biking
  • campouts
  • bird watching
  • hiking, trekking, canyoneering, bouldering, jeeping, ecotours, wildlife spotting, stargazing, horseback riding, petroglyph tours

Water based Activities

  • hot springs
  • lake water sports
  • river floating
  • whitewater rafting-adventure
  • lake and river kayaking

Additional Activities

  • Nighttime wildlife safari with spotlights and infrared lenses

Good to know

  • You can borrow

    Cowboy hats
 

Fishing & Wildlife

  • Fishing

  • Types of fishing

    spin, fly, river, lake, equipment available, guided non-inclusive, unguided, BYO equipment
  • Fish in untouched rivers and lakes.

  • Wildlife and birding

  • puma (mountain lion), jaguar, black bear, ocelot, bobcat, ring-tail cat, Coue's deer, Gould's turkey, coatimundi, javelina, badger, porcupine, skunk, ground squirrel, coyote, fox, Gila Monster, hundreds of insects, plant life, hundreds of birds, both endemic and local

Specials

  • WhatWhen

  • Four or Five Night Stay at Adventure Guest RanchApr 10 2012

    • Description

      For $115/night/guest, 2 or more guests, stay at one of the most scenic, secluded and unspoiled guest ranches in the world. Compared to a National Park, called the most scenic and best back country horseback riding ranch around, a stay at Rancho Los Banos is sure to make for a great holiday. Offering all-inclusive packages, round-trip transportation from Tucson to the ranch, unbeatable rates, unique and exotic scenery, outstanding Mexican food and hospitality, together with world-class riding and hiking. Single Occupancy rate is $135/night.

      view details

  • Six or More Night Stay at Adventure Guest RanchApr 10 2012

    • Description

      For $99/night/guest, 2 or more guests, stay at one of the most scenic, secluded and unspoiled guest ranches in the world. Compared to a National Park, called the most scenic and best back country horseback riding ranch around, a stay at Rancho Los Banos is sure to make for a great holiday. Offering all-inclusive packages, round-trip transportation from Tucson to the ranch, unbeatable rates, unique and exotic scenery, outstanding Mexican food and hospitality, together with world-class riding and hiking. Single Occupancy rate is $119/night.

      view details

Events

  • WhatWhen

  • Springtime in the DesertMar 14 2012

    • Description

      Experience an enchanted land covered with the colors of springtime in the desert. Our high country, Sonoran/Chihuahuan desert guest ranch becomes a majestic wildflower-filled oasis, presenting a diversity of plants and flowers that makes a stay at the ranch, already very enjoyable to begin with, even more spectacular. The sights, sounds, smells and experiences at the ranch, whether in high country, hill country or inside our box canyons during springtime will be a colorful and beautiful adventure. Ride our back country, with sunshine and great temperatures, seeing a desert in full splendor.

      view details

  • Fall at the RanchoOct 01 2012

    • Description

      Enjoy near perfect temperatures and weather as you horseback ride, hike, walk or take a jeep ecotour through our unique scenery and diverse landscapes. With fall colors all around, a morning crispness that is invigorating, an afternoon feel that is comforting, a stay at the rancho during the fall is sure to relax and reenergize you. This time of year is truly the most picturesque, comfortable and beautiful time of year at the rancho. Plus, this time of year is also our low season, meaning rest and relaxation in total seclusion and serenity. Enjoy the beauty of the ranch at its absolute finest.

      view details

  • Second Spring at the RanchoAug 01 2012

    • Description

      During and after our monsoon season, the ranch comes alive with our Second Spring, full of lush vegetation, wildflowers, birds, insects and an abundance of wildlife. Experience spring in the late summer and early fall, with great weather and temperatures, ideal for our collection of adventures. You will soon forget you are in the desert; in fact, you might be forgiven if you think yourself in Costa Rica. Enjoy late afternoon monsoon storms, majestic, beautiful and powerful, full of energy and displays of lightning. During the day, enjoy the green, lush, colorful and tropical feel of our ranch.

      view details


 

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