Arizona
Rancho de la Osa: Ranch Life on the Southern Border
Program No. 23771RJ
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Rancho de la Osa: Ranch Life on the Southern Border
Rancho de la Osa: Ranch Life on the Southern Border
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Participant Reviews
Based on 37 Reviews
SHOWING
My trip to Rancho De La Osa was one of the highlights of my life, filling me with everything I love about ranch life. From the moment I arrived, I was transported back in time. The ranch is considered Arizona’s most historic, with the Cantina—the oldest continually used building—dating back to 1722. It truly felt like a walk through history.
Rancho De La Osa operates like a finely tuned western resort. The staff was amazing, and the chef crafted every meal with the care of a true artisan—I was never disappointed. Over six days, I stayed busy with a wide variety of activities: twice-daily trail rides through breathtaking landscapes stretching endlessly, field trips reaching all the way to the U.S.-Mexico border, hands-on horse riding lessons, roping skills, UTV adventures, sport shooting, and archery.
Traveling solo, I shared the “John Wayne Suite” with another guest—a room share I will admit was probably the best I’ve ever had. Each of us had our own private bedroom and shared a bathroom, offering both privacy and a chance to connect personally, which was lovely.
Afternoons and evenings were filled with fascinating demonstrations on horsemanship, horse grooming, and roping techniques. We enjoyed a tracking presentation by a former border patrol agent and learned about Navajo Indian blanket weaving from a historian, along with lessons in tortilla making.
Evenings offered star watching, tequila tastings, and a screening of the movie Hondo, partially filmed at the ranch—an unforgettable experience. Cocktail hour in the Cantina was a wonderful time to catch up with everyone and plan the next day’s activities. Our final evening culminated in a farewell dinner and line dancing, where we let loose and socialized with the staff and fellow Ranglers.
I couldn’t have been more pleased with this trip. It will be hard to top such a thoughtfully planned and immersive experience. I highly recommend a visit—and I will miss my horse, "Sister", forever.
— Review left February 14, 2026
Good people, good grub, good atmosphere. The ranch is far from our crazy world and affords the opportunity to relax and soak in the beauty whether it be the horses, the views, the wildlife. We also enjoyed the many cats on the property who "run" the place! We appreciated the program leader Angela, the wranglers Nico, Danny and Alyssa. Also thank you to Clayton, Grace and all the "behind the scenes staff". For those interested being off the ranch, the ride to the Mexican border was great as was the all-day trip to the Tumacacori mission.
— Review left February 11, 2026
Love this place. Love the horses, the people at the ranch, the food, the atmosphere. I was fascinated that we were so close to the border wall and fascinated with the border wall for some reason. They took us up there in small groups. It is very winding, steep like a rollercoaster. Desolate. When they built that portion of the wall, they stayed at the ranch. You will see lots of different birds, wildlife. I saw two cows and two bulls at the neighbor's ranch. The wranglers and horses are patient and kind, especially to a greenhorn like me. I got to groom one horse and afterward he was hugging me. To a city girl, I loved it. It is so relaxing and peaceful. You will love it.
— Review left January 10, 2026
Release your inner cowboy or cowgirl. Bring your boots, hat and bandana (it's dusty). Relive the heyday of dude ranches. Catch the spectacular sunset and then gaze at the Milky Way.
— Review left November 15, 2025
This is a wonderful ranching experience program. Rancho de La OSA dates back to the 1800’s; the rooms, cantina, hacienda, and corral reflect its history. I loved it! Wranglers, kitchen staff, chef, and group leader were friendly and added to a very enjoyable visit to the Arizona desert. It’s possible, I will repeat this program!
— Review left November 15, 2025
This program at Rancho de la Osa has such a wonderful, skillful, and delightful staff team for all the program activities. They are patient, welcoming, adaptive to all experience levels, and just great people. The location is beautiful and peaceful - and so much history to learn about.
— Review left November 15, 2025
Please note this is more of a remote location. The proximity to the border was great to see that in person. But the accommodations are in need of repair. We stayed in the Gone with the Wind suites and that may have been the last time they were updated. Cracks in walls are cosmetic but more items of disrepair included holes in window screens, cracked windows, bugs and unfortunately a very large spider (juvenile tarantula) who lived in the ceiling fan. After 4 days, pest control was finally called out. If you want a remote experience and pests are not an issue, this may be your place. Otherwise, I would classify the accommodations as a 2-star motel.
— Review left October 29, 2025
Wonderful experience, highly recommended. Rancho de la Osa is a place where history is all around you. It is the location of an ancient indigenous settlement, of Spanish and Mexican missions, and cattle ranching. With Road Scholar at Rancho de la Osa you live in the buildings and among the evidence of those historic uses. Not only a place to ride horses in the desert of the border region, but to study history and culture from each successive era, including history being made today. Thank you Angela and everyone at Rancho de la Osa!
Jory
— Review left March 6, 2025
This is a great program. While the wi-fi service is excellent, you get a chance to unplug from the world for a few days. The horseback riding is great, especially the breakfast ride, and you really get to enjoy nature in a very pure way. Hightly recommend.
— Review left February 17, 2025
An easy-paced ranch experience that will make you wish you had brought your cowboy hat. It was a chance to sample life and activities on a ranch with a grand history and authentic surroundings. Lots of fun and lots of insight into a world at the southern US border.
— Review left February 8, 2025
This is a great program for anyone who has ever ridden a horse, especially as a youth. It proved to me that I could still do it!
— Review left February 8, 2025
If you are looking for an Authentic Remote Dude Ranch experience this is the one for you. Just make sure you choose to go later in fall. 2024 Oct. was HOT in 90-100 degrees Old rustic and very very clean with good variety of activities for all. and excellent meals. A+ and A+ hospitality.
— Review left October 12, 2024
This was an outstanding program. Everyone had a wonderful time the staff and program director was top-notch. May go again next year.
— Review left February 23, 2024
If you want a relaxing riding experience in the desert Southwest, this trip is for you! The horses are gentle, clearly loved and given the best of care by the knowledgeable, friendly and often funny wranglers. The food at the ranch is outstanding--delicious, varied and befitting the location. All the people working at the ranch are a delight. It is a very mellow experience--not strenuous or challenging physically--and the more active parts of the day are balanced with educational opportunities.
— Review left February 12, 2024
This program is in a remote area on a rather rustic ranch. There are lots of interactions with horse care and riding. If you are unable to/or do not wish to deal with horses, be prepared to bring a good book, and ride to locations in the ranch UTV. Check on field trips before going as the current list is outdated.
— Review left October 23, 2023
I am an advanced beginner rider. (started in mid 60's) This was a great experience for me to get out of my comfort zone and learn more about riding. Views and range are wonderful. The border wall is something to see. It is not what I expected architecturally. Seeing it in person is impactful. The stories staff shared made me think more about the situation. It is a complex problem we as individuals and as a nation have to address no matter what side of the issue you fall. Thanks Rancho de la Osa for the experience!
— Review left October 14, 2023
This is an authentic dude ranch full of history. The horse rides give you a good feeling for what was once the Old West. All levels of riders are accommodated, even those who were afraid to get on a horse the first day. Road Scholar doesn't permit fast riding (loping), but the walks are interesting even for more experienced riders. I would definitely recommend this one first if you plan to go to the White Stallion Ranch later, which is great and an authentic ranch, but more of a resort.
— Review left February 11, 2023
Ranch life at De la Osa was a great trip that included horseback riding, shooting, roping, tortilla making and more. We learned the history of the site, Navajo weaving, animals in the desert and more!
— Review left October 20, 2022
We like traveling on our own without a group. However, Roads Scholar is the exception because we really found it to be a in-depth learning experience very different from other group experiences
— Review left October 3, 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our RoadScholar experience at Rancho de la Osa! We learned so much from the staff there and from the expert presenters and enjoyed the trail rides and excursions. In fact, we're already looking forward to our next RoadScholar trip.
— Review left October 3, 2022
The tour guide was great. The ranch is isolated which I wanted. Nice room. Food was good. Participants were fantastic. Weather did not cooperate, it was cold and rainy. Not Road Scholars problem. I realized I do NOT want to be a cowboy, but the other aspects of the trip were good. I’m glad I did it, but I will not go back. I hear they are doing a major renovation this summer.
— Review left April 15, 2022
A knowledgeable, experienced, and gracious staff in an authentic, historical western guest ranch made this trip both enjoyable and educational. Good food, great outings, and accommodations with real character made this a unique and worthwhile experience.
— Review left March 17, 2022
If you want try activities that you can’t do in the city—this is the tip for you. The location is worth getting there and the range of opportunities is fun. The staff and horse wranglers will show you a different way of life. A Cowboy hat is optional, but I recommend you wear one. If you can, plan to stay in the region for as long as you can. Diana from Minnesota (who escaped snow and ice).
— Review left March 7, 2022
Looking for an outdoor adventure with underlying history and current political implications? Try this guest ranch on the Arizona/Mexico border.
— Review left February 27, 2022
This was my favorite Road Scholar trip to date because of the time I was able to spend on and around the horses. It's rustic and very quiet, beautiful weather and great staff.
— Review left February 21, 2022
I recently completed the trip to Rancho de la Osa, Life on the Border and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in ranching and border history combined with horseback riding and physical activity. The accommodations are rustic but perfect for the setting and all the staff members are helpful and knowledgeaboe. It is a trip that will stay with you and I want to go back.
— Review left February 12, 2022
There are two aspects of this program that are just outstanding.
First, the buildings and furnishings of Rancho de la Osa are so beautiful they have been featured in multiple publications including Architectural Digest. The la Osa Cantina, where you can relax and visit with others anytime, was built by Jesuits in 1722.
Second, Ross and Lynne Knox are exceptional people with exceptional knowledge and experience, and they also make you feel like family.
My other favorite part was that at age 74 I learned I could ride a horse! And it’s fun! My travel partner didn’t ride after the first day, but she totally enjoyed the program also.
— Review left October 8, 2021
Great for getting away from the day to day hustle. Wonderful for riding and experiencing the beauty of nature.
— Review left October 7, 2021
One can see Mexico from the ranch: a lovely quiet place far from city noise & traffic. The group leader, Mrs Knox, made sure everyone had an opportunity to participate in all the activities even if it meant setting up a special time. The instructor, Mr Knox, was the closest thing to a frontier man you will ever meet. They did a superior job running this program.
For us, they set up special horseback rides.The scheduled rides were wonderful sightseeing trips while the special rides were more challenging.
The rooms were comfortable, the food plentiful, the other staff very competent & professional with interesting backgrounds & stories.
I hope they will still be there when we return.
— Review left March 14, 2020
Spending time at Rancho de la Osa is a true western ranch experience. Though considered a "dude ranch" there is nothing slick or contrived about it. The ranch is old west charming, with comfortable accommodations, really good food and truly wonderful instructors who will have you riding and roping and participating in other cowboy activities with confidence. Go, find your inner cowboy-or girl-and be glad.
— Review left March 14, 2020
If you love the west and enjoyed cowboy shows like Roy Rodgers and western movies, I highly recommend this trip. In just six days you have the opportunity to experience riding, roping, branding, tortilla making, horse training, mule packing, riding in a UTV and more while being entertained by cowboy poetry and a western singer. Fulfill your western dream and go to Rancho de la Osa. Ross, Lynne, and Adam were wonderful hosts and teachers.
— Review left March 9, 2020
You don't have to ride horses just to enjoy this RS program. There are plenty of other activities to enjoy while staying at the most historic ranch in Arizona. I really enjoyed the animal skull presentation and the field trip to the ruins and petroglyphs. Yow can take advantage of the nature walk. The accommodations are cozy with a fireplace in each room. The food was excellent. if you horseback ride, you will enjoy yourself. Ross and Lynne are wonderful hosts. Presentations were informative and interesting. Loved the tortilla making. it was a great week.
— Review left February 1, 2020
What stunning landscapes, just awesome, especially if you're from the east coast. I've never been to a R.S. with so many options of activities every day, where you could repeat a favorite or try something new. Every meal was delicious, prepared from a great chef. Every morning began with a mesquite wood fire in our room, such a treat. Lynn and Ross were so interesting and accommodating, seeing their skills and hearing their stories made this trip very unique; we left feeling we had some new best friends and really consider going back again. Side note, no need to bring a water bottle with a filter, their well water out of the tap was a 10!
— Review left January 27, 2020
Having never been to Sasabe (although I lived in Robles Junction for several years), I ejoyed this experience.
— Review left January 23, 2020
If you enjoy horseback riding and want an experience on a beautiful, historic ranch, this is the program for you! There are also options for non-riders, plus everyone can have a chance to try out the shooting range, rawhide braiding, and lasso-ing.
— Review left January 20, 2020
It's a great program to learn about the history of cattle ranching and a cowboy's life in Arizona's old west.
— Review left January 19, 2020
Time travel to the old West. What great fun staying at a historic ranch with real life cowboys and cow girls. The horses were steady and dependable. Riding near the Mexico border. Seeing a ghost town. Weather was awesome. Loved it
— Review left January 17, 2020