Places to go horseback riding? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: rentals, live in, car)

[kamik08]

I just moved to this area about a year ago. After being here for awhile I would really like to get back into the routine of riding again. Does anyone know where I can go or where I can find a horse to ride? I had to leave mine with my parents when I moved.

[observer53]

There aren't NEARLY as many riding stables with horses for rent here as there used to be. I think there is still one out in the far east Valley. Your other option would be to go somewhere where you could take some lessons. You'd ride a better quality of horse, but it would be in an arena. What type of riding did you do (English, Western), and what part of the Valley do you live in?. I might be able to steer you to a few places.

[LocoAZnative]

here are stables @ South Mountain Park driving in through Central Ave Entrance. Also, near the Phoenix Zoo on Van Buren. Both locations you can rent horses and ride on trails.

[AZ Tracy]

There are also stables near Saguaro Lake, Red Mountain and Gold Canyon.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by AZnative4Life

here are stables @ South Mountain Park driving in through Central Ave Entrance. Also, near the Phoenix Zoo on Van Buren. Both locations you can rent horses and ride on trails.

Do you mean Papago Stables as "near the Phoenix Zoo"? The stable nearest the zoo (Weldon's) has been gone for years. Papago is wedged in between Tempe Town Lake and Rural Road and a boat parking lot. I'm not sure they do rentals any more (I'll take your word for it), but it is a lot trickier place to get in and out of, on horseback than it was when it was not surrounded by stuff. I don't know if you have to use a guide.

It's good to see that the two stables are still operating down at the end of Central Ave in South Mountain Park. I was last there years ago, for a group cookout ride. I'm not sure if they allow anything unguided there, I've never asked.

[LocoAZnative]

Originally Posted by observer53

Do you mean Papago Stables as "near the Phoenix Zoo"? The stable nearest the zoo (Weldon's) has been gone for years. Papago is wedged in between Tempe Town Lake and Rural Road and a boat parking lot. I'm not sure they do rentals any more, but it is a lot trickier place to get in and out of than it used to be.

Uhm Pagago doesnt extend to Rural Rd. it goes to Mill Ave. Not sure if the stables are gone been I while since i've been to them.

[_Charles_]

Originally Posted by observer53

Do you mean Papago Stables as "near the Phoenix Zoo"? The stable nearest the zoo (Weldon's) has been gone for years. Papago is wedged in between Tempe Town Lake and Rural Road and a boat parking lot. I'm not sure they do rentals any more (I'll take your word for it), but it is a lot trickier place to get in and out of, on horseback than it was when it was not surrounded by stuff. I don't know if you have to use a guide.

It's good to see that the two stables are still operating down at the end of Central Ave in South Mountain Park. I was last there years ago, for a group cookout ride. I'm not sure if they allow anything unguided there, I've never asked.

Its on the west side of Scottsdale road south of McDowell (call first). You can rent a horse for riding there. I do not recommend South Mountain. It is hard core touristy with horses that are ill behaved trail nags used to ignoring novice riders. And they even ask ahead of time for tips (seriously).

[observer53]

South of McDowell??? Yes, a few miles south. You can see it from the 202, it's just south of the 202, between the 202 and Tempe Town Lake.

Can you rent a horse there without a guide?

Thanks for the update on the South Mountain folks. I'm not surprised.

AZ Native4Life -- the closest exit to Papago Stables, (and what used to be the road for access to it --I haven't been on the Papago property for years, so I don't know if car access has changed), is Rural, not Mill. You can, as I said, see the stables from the 202 eastbound, right before the Rural off ramp.

Hopefully the OP will come back and fill us in with some more details of what she's looking for. A private stable may be a better connection, either through lessons or meeting some people who will let her ride their horses.

[LocoAZnative]

Originally Posted by observer53

South of McDowell??? Yes, a few miles south. You can see it from the 202, it's just south of the 202, between the 202 and Tempe Town Lake.

Can you rent a horse there without a guide?

Thanks for the update on the South Mountain folks. I'm not surprised.

AZ Native4Life -- the closest exit to Papago Stables, (and what used to be the road for access to it --I haven't been on the Papago property for years, so I don't know if car access has changed), is Rural, not Mill. You can, as I said, see the stables from the 202 eastbound, right before the Rural off ramp.

Hopefully the OP will come back and fill us in with some more details of what she's looking for. A private stable may be a better connection, either through lessons or meeting some people who will let her ride their horses.

I have lived in the Tempe area my whole life. Rural turns into Scottsdale Rd. Papago curves along Van Buren which turns in Mill @ Curry Rd

[observer53]

Originally Posted by AZnative4Life

I have lived in the Tempe area my whole life. Rural turns into Scottsdale Rd. Papago curves along Van Buren which turns in Mill @ Curry Rd

I've lived there more than half of mine, but perhaps now I understand the confusion. I was never talkiing about a "Papago" street or road, and didn't get that you were. If you can get to Papago Stables on that road, from Mill/Van Buren, then that makes sense. I can't remember whether there was a street I turned onto off of Rural to get there, I got onto Papago Stables property years ago when I went there from Rural, not from the Mill/Van Buren direction.