Ponderosa Stables Inc - Phoenix, Arizona

Olivia B.

This was the best ride I have ever been on! We went on the Tbone steakhouse ride and had the best time. Our rangers were super friendly and worked so well together! You could tell they truly loved the horses and that the horses were very well taken care of, which meant a lot to me. I rode Eleanor and she was beautiful and sooo so sweet. My husband rode Tank and he loved him too! We will definitely be back for another ride soon!

Abbey C.

My best friend and I enjoyed a morning horseback ride yesterday (3/30/25). Eddie and Chris were our trail ride wranglers and they were so enjoyable and fun. They interacted with everyone and made the trail ride very enjoyable. The land where the stables reside is absolutely stunning and the trail ride exceeds expectations on getting a great view of South Mountain. Lots of wildlife to see and just such a peaceful ride. The land is covered in quail and all the quail chatter is so delightful. The ups and downs of the hills during the trail ride makes it a bit more exciting because you are working with the horse on the ride - I loved this part! My horse was Junior and my friend's horse was Ash. Absolutely beautiful horses. The stable also has a platform to help with easier mounting of the horses. I have never been to a stable that had one and this was such a great feature! We enjoyed breakfast at the stables after our ride, which was really good. Compliments to Chef Moe for our yummy meal post ride. Overall, the staff was great and super friendly. The stable and views were beautiful. Even the bathroom was well kept and clean. We will be back and I will recommend South Ponderosa Stables to friends and family.

Jayme R.

Hold Your Horses (and Maybe Your Lunch)! A Ponderosa Stables Adventure!

Alright folks, gather 'round and let me tell you about my recent foray into the Wild West (or at least, the slightly less wild outskirts with a darn good steakhouse). I recently embarked on the Ponderosa Stables Dinner Ride, and let me just say, it was an experience… a unique experience.

First off, the steeds! Magnificent creatures, truly. Mine, a charming fellow named "Rocco," clearly had some pressing personal matters to attend to along the trail. Let's just say our 90-minute journey involved several strategic "nature breaks" that allowed me ample time to admire the local flora.

Now, safety first, and these guys are ON IT. Seriously, the guides were like saddle and rein ninjas, constantly checking and double-checking everything. I felt safer on that horse than I do parallel parking my car. Plus, they offer helmets! Which, naturally, I sported with all the rugged cowboy swagger I could muster.

Speaking of swagger, there was this lovely lady in a passing car who was absolutely gushing about how we all looked like real cowboys and girls. That is, until her gaze landed on yours truly, helmeted and slightly lopsided. I swear I saw a flicker of "Oh, never mind" in her eyes. But hey, safety is the new sexy, right?

The guides themselves? Absolute legends! All volunteers, and you'd never know it. They were friendly, helpful, and clearly loved those horses. They navigated us through some stunning valley views, culminating in a sunset that could make a grown cowboy weep (or at least tear up a little while discreetly swatting flies). And the T-bone steakhouse at the turnaround? Let's just say it was worth every single one of Rocco’s unscheduled pit stops.
So, if you're looking for a genuine (and occasionally hilarious) taste of the equestrian life, with breathtaking scenery and a delicious reward at the end, I wholeheartedly recommend Ponderosa Stables. Just be prepared for your horse to have an occasionally try to snack along the trail, embrace the helmet, and get ready for some truly unforgettable views. You might not end up looking like a movie star cowboy, but you'll definitely have a story to tell!

Zusel B.

Love it!!! Great experience! My husband made a reservation for Valentines, it was the evening ride to T-Bone Steakhouse and he nailed it. We had such an amazing time, everyone was so nice. Ride sets out by 6pm, so we got there early to not be on a rush and had plenty of time to pet the horses, learned some of their names and take photos! We got to see the sunset and the view of the city’s light on the way to the restaurant. The restaurant was also great; good service, good food and the ambiance was very romantic and cozy.

Se Y.

It is rare that I leave any reviews but I 100/10 recommend here! Atmosphere is great, the wranglers were amazing! My boyfriend and I had an amazing night with our horses, Pal and Brownie. It was my very first horseback riding and I would come again!

Grace H.

My cousin and I went here on an evening in March. The weather was lovely and the experience memorable. Huge kudos to the volunteers and staff who operate this iconic Phoenix landmark. The horses were gentle beasts who felt calm and safe to ride, yet still had funny personalities. The sunset was magical and the city lights were beautiful. We booked a steakhouse ride that had to be replaced with a patio BBQ, but the food was delicious. Overall a fun, accessible, tourist-version of the "cowboy" experience.

Jackie R.

Fabulous trip to the Ponderosa stables. A huge thank you to Courtney for making our trip special and welcoming. My horse Chickfillet looked after me and I felt so safe.
Fantastic views and history. Thoroughly enjoyable experience in the wild West.
A big thank you from us all from Edinburgh, Scotland xx

Sol J.

I’ve done many horse rides and have never seen such well taken care of horses. The horses are in great condition, and I liked seeing so many of them because it means they rotate them, so they don’t get exhausted or overworked. The horses are super nice and calm. The people who work there are lovely, and you can tell they’re passionate about their work and the horses. One thing I suggest is tipping them because they deserve it—they work hard and are very attentive to giving you the best experience.