If you are looking for an affordable, all-inclusive hotel, Kay El Bar Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, is a winner.
The Kay El Bar Ranch is located five minutes from downtown Wickenburg, sometimes referred to as the dude ranch capital of the world. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kay El Bar is said to be one of the first dude ranches in Arizona.
Opened as a guest ranch in 1926, the 11-guest room accommodations include the multi-room Homestead House, built in the early 1800s. Both the Homestead House and Casa Grande are ideal for girlfriend getaways, as well as families. Nine guest rooms are available in the main lodge with queen and twin beds.
My husband and I stayed in room #3, a cozy queen room with a tub/shower combination. Our room was near the living room, where a large rock fireplace invites guests to kick back and relax, play card games, or pick up one of several acoustic guitars lying about. It’s also the place where the nightly appetizers are laid out. A happy place to be.
The adobe lodge features 9 guest rooms, all with en suite bathrooms. Casa Grande sleeps 4 people, and the multi-room Homestead House sleeps 7.
Five cowgirls on a trail ride in the Sonoran Desert with Kay El Bar Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Kay El Bar activities
The all-inclusive Kay El Bar Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, offers plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. The focus at this Arizona dude ranch is horseback riding. However, I met 3 women on a sister holiday who were content to play the lawn game cornhole while 50 horses munched on hay behind them.
Additional activities include cattle work on horseback, archery, sport shooting, hiking, and a UTV tour. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub on the property. The town of Wickenburg is nearby and offers shopping, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, and restaurants.
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Dining at All-inclusive Kay El Bar Ranch
When guests select the Full American Plan at the all-inclusive Kay El Bar Ranch, they will be well fed. In addition to the nightly appetizers served in the lodge, we dined on grilled chicken breasts, pasta and vegetables, Mexican enchiladas, grilled pork chops, and juicy steak. Guests have the option to mention dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Breakfast includes thick-cut bacon, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, toast, yogurt with granola, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. Additional options are added to the daily breakfast buffet. Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. after the morning activities. During our 4-day vacation, we enjoyed grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, BBQ beef sliders, Reuben sandwiches, along with a salad bar and a variety of potato and tortilla chips.
I’m happy to report that fresh cookies or brownies were served daily with lunch. This is in addition to the nightly dinner desserts, including Boston Cream pie, New Orleans bread pudding with a brown sugar sauce, and additional temptations.
In case you are wondering, you will be asked your weight prior to your arrival if you plan to go horseback riding. This is for the safety and well-being on the horses. Some folks don’t gain weight at dude ranch vacations. I am not one of those people.
Kay El Bar Ranch details
The ranch is open from the beginning of October to the end of April. Check with the ranch for specific dates and prices. Rates fluctuate depending on season, rate package, and room type. The Kay El Bar ranch offers Full American Plan, as well as Bed & Breakfast rates.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
The ranch is rustic with a maximum capacity of 25 guests. If you are looking for an Arizona Dude Ranch with a spa, check out White Stallion Ranch in Tucson. If you want a spa or golf course with your dude ranch stay, try Rancho de Los Caballeros.
The ranch offers an honor bar with full libations. On-site parking is complimentary. There is no shuttle service available from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
Hotel review and all photos by Oregon-based travel writer and cowgirl Nancy D. Brown. She was a guest of True Ranch Collection while working on an assignment for a magazine article. As always, all thoughts and opinions are her own.
