Kay El Bar Guest Ranch

Kay El Bar Guest Ranch

The Kay El Bar, is an intimate, historic guest ranch in the heart of the Wild West. The ranch offers an all-inclusive vacation experience to individuals or families, meals, lodging and riding in one great price, and the best horseback riding anywhere. The charming adobe ranch was built in the early 1900s, and is listed on the Arizona and National Historic Registers. While providing modern conveniences, lodging are in buildings made of adobe brick hand-made by the Maricopa Indians who lived on the nearby reservation.

Unique Features: The small size, with a maximum of 28 guests, is part of the laid-back charm. Authentic adobe-walled buildings and cowboy décor help transport you to a quiet place, apart from the rush of modern life. The friendly staff make it easy to become part of the Kay El Bar family. Many of the guests return every year to visit us and to wake up to the gorgeous desert sunrise, enjoy delicious home-cooked meals, and ride into the beautiful landscape on wrangler-led horseback rides.

Accommodations: Comfortable and charming, each guest room has a private modern bath, hand-painted Monterey furniture, custom cowboy bedspreads and drapes, and a collection of western artwork. In addition, there is The Homestead House, which was built in the early 1900s. Guests can also choose from one of the two casitas tucked away under towering salt cedar and eucalyptus trees. The spacious Casa Grande has a sitting area and fireplace. Casa Monterey has twin beds and great views of the Bradshaw Mountains. Both casitas have large walk-in showers.

As Suite As It Gets: When money is no object, go for the Homestead House. It has the original thick-walled adobe ranch style and is a two-bedroom, two-bath cottage. Spacious and comfortable, with its own living room and fireplace, it’s perfect for families, two couples or small groups. It can sleep up to seven persons.

Dining: Dinner is served family style in the dining room or on the patio. Savor home-cooked goodness, including garden vegetables and crisp salads and warm rolls, as well as choice meats, fish and poultry. Each delicious meal is cooked by a professional chef in the homey ranch kitchen. And they never skip dessert, fresh-baked cookies and pastries hot from the oven after each lunch and dinner.

Activities: Life at the Kay El Bar centers around the horses and the riding program. Before breakfast riders can come down to the corral and groom their horse if they’d like. During orientation, the staff will go over western riding techniques and explain safety precautions with the group. The wranglers select a horse for each rider based on his or her experience. Each rider is assigned to a ride group based on individual riding abilities, experience, and the type of ride that they want. Or, relax in the pool and whirlpool spa, hike, or rest in the lodge living room.

Spa & Fitness: There is no on-site spa or fitness center, but with all of the amazing outdoor activities and fresh air though, you won’t need them.

Location: You may want to head down the road to the historic downtown of Wickenburg. Along the town’s main historic district, early businesses built many structures that still form Wickenburg’s downtown area. Tourism led to the development of guest ranches, with as many as 14 operating in the 1950s and 1960s, when Wickenburg billed itself as the “Dude Ranch Capital of the World!”

Closest Airport: The nearest major airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX / KPHX). This airport has international and domestic flights from Phoenix, Arizona and is 69 miles from the center of Wickenburg, AZ. Another major airport is Prescott Municipal Airport, Ernest A. Love Field (PRC / KPRC), which has domestic flights from Prescott, Arizona and is 70 miles from Wickenburg, AZ.

Children’s Programs: No. Although they welcome your children, they do not have any supervised children’s programs. Trail riding starts with children 7 years or older. Each child (age 7 and older) is assessed for individual ability; it is not required that children are on the same ride as their parents or guardians.

Pet Friendly: No. Pets are not allowed at this property.

Weddings: Yes. The ranch is a great place for a wedding!

Meetings: Yes. Kay El Bar Guest Ranch is the perfect location for a team-building retreat for your employees, or an employee plus family getaway. They can accommodate up to 28 guests with an all-inclusive lodging/meals/horse back riding experience that is unforgettable. The ranch is nestled in the foothills of Arizona, but only a few miles from the city of Wickenburg. There is a pool on the premises, and golf courses are nearby.

Extra Info: There’s a social hour every evening in the lodge; it’s a great way to swap stories and mingle with fellow guests and the wranglers. In addition to the stunning landscape, you may also spot some of the local wildlife. Keep a lookout for the desert tortoise, jackrabbit, or banded gecko. You may even catch a glimpse of a coyote or the poisonous but sluggish Gila monster.

www.kayelbar.com