If you’re like many people, you’d love to take a sunset or moonlight horseback ride in the Valley of the Sun. The good news: We’ve found the best stables in or near Scottsdale so you can plan an unforgettable day or evening. Check out this list of local spots we love.
5 Riding Stables Near Scottsdale for Fabulous Sunset and Moonlight Rides
The most popular riding stables near Scottsdale that offer sunset and moonlight rides include:
- MacDonald’s Ranch
- MTM Ranch
- Cave Creek Trail Rides
- Spur Cross Stables
- Koli Equestrian Center
Here’s a closer look at each.
MacDonald’s Ranch
MacDonald’s Ranch offers horseback rides daily, but once a month – four to seven days prior to the full moon – they offer moonlight rides. (Naturally, weather, holidays and seasonal hours can affect tour availability.) You can mount up just before sunset and take a guided, moonlight tour through the desert to see the area’s nightlife, including owls, coyotes and more, and you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of the stars like you’ve never seen them before.
Cave Creek Trail Rides
Cave Creek Trail Rides offers unbelievably beautiful sunset rides. You’ll be on the trail as the sun sets, and you ride back into the corral at dusk. Ride times vary with the sunset, but you can call for specifics when you’re ready. You can take 1-hour or 1.5-hour sunset rides, and if you choose to go during the day, the rides can last up to 3 hours. Only kids aged 6 and older can participate in rides.
Spur Cross Stables
Enjoy fabulous sunset views over and between the mountains on a sunset ride with Spur Cross Stables. You’ll spend some time getting to know your horse and learn the basics of horseback riding if you haven’t been before, and you’ll loop through the Tonto National Forest and beautiful Sonoran Desert on your equine companion’s back. You can choose a 1-hour or 1.5-hour ride to enjoy the views, watch native wildlife spring into nighttime action and take plenty of photos on your tour. You can learn more about Spur Cross Stables’ sunset rides here.
MTM Ranch
MTM Ranch offers trail rides in Cave Creek and Christopher Creek, though the Christopher Creek trail rides only leave at 9:30 a.m. (so sunset riding is out of the question on that tour). In Cave Creek, they offer a wide range of tours for people with various experience levels – including very young and inexperienced riders, although children must be over the age of 9 to participate. You can join petroglyph tours, winding loops around the Silver Spur Mine and the Tonto National Forest, and more.
Koli Equestrian Center
The Koli Equestrian Center at Wild Horse Pass offers occasional sunset and moonlight tours, but the dates and times vary. (They also offer sunrise tours, which are a spectacular choice if you’re up early enough.) The Margarita Sunset Ride is a 60-minute group trail ride for adults only – you must be 21 or older to join – and you’ll have to contact the center to schedule your ride. Guides plan the tours so that you’re returning to the stable just as the sun sets. You can learn more about KOLI Equestrian Center’s tours and rides here.
