Pantano Riding Stables

4450 S. Houghton Rd., Tucson
520/298-8980
www.horsingaroundarizona.com [1]

HOURS: Daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

COST: $25 one hour, $35 1.5 hours, $45 two hours, $40 1.5-hour sunset ride

About 13 miles southeast of Tucson [2], out in the shaggy cactus-and-scrub desert not far from Saguaro National Park East [3], the friendly folks at Pantano Riding Stables will take you out and make you feel like a real cowboy.

Along with the usual one- to two-hour trail rides, they offer a fun “campfire ride” where you can dine under the stars as if you’re working some kind of round-up. The desert out this way is beautiful and thick, and if you go when the cactus are blooming you are in for a spectacular show.

It’s a good idea to call ahead for a reservation.