Join us to celebrate the year of the horse on an historic boutique guest ranch AND have your experience documented by an award winning photographer. Not only creating memories to last a lifetime, but have the professional photos to go along with them!
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Kay El Bar is an intimate western dude ranch just over an hour northwest of Phoenix in Wickenburg, Arizona. Discover saguaro forests and slot canyons along the rocky mountain trails or ride through the sandy Hassayampa Riverbed. Create memories that will warm your soul and last a lifetime. Become a part of the Kay El Bar family.
Homesteaded in 1909 by 18-year-old Romaine Lowdermilk, Kay El Bar has continued to treat guests to an authentic dude ranch experience for over 100 years. From the Homestead House built in 1914, to the large adobe lodge built in 1926, Kay El Bar Guest Ranch offers the best of the cherished Arizona tradition of dude ranching.
Go back in time, experience the splendor of the Sonoran Desert on horseback, enjoy unhurried time with family and friends, and make some unforgettable memories.
Check out the ranch brochure HERE.
Our first ranch brochure advertised the Kay El Bar as “a real Western ranch with modern accommodations for a limited number of guests.” By 1931, the dining room, swimming pool and La Casa de Rosita were built; and today our inviting quarters can hold approximately 25 guests. Comfortable and charming, each Lodge Room has a private modern bath, hand-painted Monterey furniture and a collection of western artwork. Comfortable and charming, each unique guest room in the Main Lodge has a private modern bath, hand-painted Monterey furniture and a collection of western artwork. Choose from king, queen or twin-bedded rooms.
If you would like to book as a larger group, Casa Grande house is also available with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathroom. Casa Grande is a spacious accommodation, with access by a private entrance, and a fireplace and a cozy sitting area. It sleeps up to four with a queen bed in one room and a king-sized bed (or two twin beds) in the second room. There is an alcove twin bed and an optional full bed in the living area.
Travel agent notes: Kay El Bar is not a resort-style ranch -- it is a historic working guest ranch. The rooms are not the highlight of the stay, but we hope that you will be spending limited time in your rooms while you are enjoying the activities and the ambiance of the ranch itself.
All meals and most ranch activities are included in your package and will give you a true taste of western hospitality while you create memories to warm your soul for ages.
Life at the Kay El Bar centers around our horses and riding program, and a well-trained string of horses for every experience level − beginner, intermediate and advanced. Ride through sandy washes and slot canyons, and discover fantastic desert vistas all from the back of your trusty mount. Or stay on the ranch and try your hand at cattle work in the arena.
Note: Sunday is usually the day when the horses are "off" -- you'll want to plan other activities for this day!
Practice your aim like a true wild west cowboy with our safe and fun sport shooting programs. Clay pigeon and target shooting available with a shooting instructor. .22 handguns and rifles available for target practice and shotguns for clay pigeon shooting. You can also practice your marksmanship with our safe and fun instructed archery program with 3D targets.
Explore our unique pocket of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert by way of UTV guided tours. You’ll see the riparian landscape of the Hassayampa River, an intermittent river that runs seasonally above ground and is responsible for the diverse flora and fauna of the area. We’ll take up to four guests to beautiful vistas overlooking the area’s mountain ranges and the iconic Vulture Peak.
Enjoy a hike in the tranquil Sonoran Desert. You might see a few of the many local avian species, such as the red-tailed hawk, ferruginous hawk or turkey vultures in the desert sky. The nearby terrain features a variety of cacti, including the incredible giant saguaro, prickly pear, barrel and jumping cholla.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included in your stay! Each delicious meal is cooked by our professional chefs in our homey ranch kitchen. Meals are served family-style in the dining room, on the patio and on the trail. And we never skip dessert!
We are glad to accommodate special dietary needs or requests with advance notice.
Join us for a complimentary tequila tasting event to get to know each other and have a fun taste of the ranch.
Note: Alcohol and sodas are not included in your package.
Eqxphoto by Tricia Meeter, award-winning fine art photographer Tricia Meteer of Eqx photo and EQX Fine Art, will be on-site during your stay to document your ranch retreat.
This will be available to YOU in two incredible ways!
“Phone + Pro” Vacation Coverage
She’ll capture real, candid moments while you’re living your best ranch life — using your phone and her professional camera — so you leave with beautiful images ready to share and save forever.
Plus, she’ll help you get the most out of your phone camera:
-- better angles
-- better lighting
-- better framing
-- and simple tricks that instantly upgrade your photos!
A Styled Ranch Private Photo Session
Enjoy an elevated, guided photo shoot designed to help you look and feel your best in epic ranch locations—golden light, wide open skies, horses, and western magic included. Feel free to bring a couple of wardrobe changes for different looks.
Tricia will coach you through flattering, natural poses (no stiff “photo face” required), so you’ll walk away with images that feel confident, effortless, and truly you.
Think of it as the vacation you’ll never forget… with the photos to prove it!
This service is included in your package, but optional if you chose not to participate, but we highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity! We expect these photographs will be treasured by you, your friends, and your family for many years to come.
To hold your room, there is a 30% room deposit to hold your spot by February 16, 2026.
There is a $350 fee due by March 16th to Saddle Sojourn Travel -- this can be paid at booking or your card will be automatically charged on 3/16/2026.
* This fee is non-refundable after 04/4/2026.
The remaining room balance will be paid directly to Kay El Bar at check-in.
Estimated Total Trip Costs:
Single Occupancy -- $1455 per person
Double Occupancy -- $1317 per person
Room Cancellation Information:
Each room’s deposit, less a 5% cancellation fee, is refundable up to 45 days prior to arrival.
If cancellation occurs within 45 days of arrival, the deposit is forfeited, however it can be used toward a future reservation at Kay El Bar Guest Ranch for up to two years from the original arrival date (April 18, 2028).
Cancellation due to COVID-19 is subject to the same cancellation policy.
No-Show Policy:
Total cost of your reservation is non-refundable if you fail to notify Saddle Sojourn of your cancellation and/or you no-show your reservation.
Flights, Transfers, and Travel Insurance
Flights and transfers are not included in your package due to varying departures and preferences, but Saddle Sojourn is happy to assist with these. We recommend flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Car rentals and shuttles are available from PHX to Wickenburg.
Please note: Kay El Bar is located approximately 1 hour from Phoenix and 3 hours from Las Vegas.
Recommended flight arrival time in PHX is prior to 2:00 pm. For departing flights, we recommend leaving after 12:00 pm for ease of travel from Wickenburg to PHX.
Travel Insurance is always recommended for adventure type travel and international travel.