5 ways to channel your inner cowboy (or cowgirl!) in Arizona

Here are five activities to remind Arizonans of their state’s Wild West history.

Arizonans know that they live in the heart of the Wild West — but have you ever wanted to feel like a real cowboy (or cowgirl)? Well, we have some excellent news: The Grand Canyon State is full of ways that you can rustle up your inner cowpoke any time you get a hankerin’.

So, whether you’re an experienced cowhand, a little rusty in the saddle, or brand-new to the ropes, here are some rootin’ tootin’ ways to channel your inner Arizona cowboy or cowgirl today:

1. Visit the site of America’s most famous shootout

Anyone who knows their cowboy history has heard of the shootout at the OK Corral — but did you know that you could visit the site, right here in Arizona?

Once the infamous town of Tombstone, today Arizonans can visit the Old Tombstone Western Theme Park, where history meets fun for all, with daily gunfight shows, trolley tours of the historic old town, multiple saloons and restaurants to whet your whistle, and even a chance to pan for gold. Yee-haw, indeed!

Photo courtesy of Johnseiferth/CC BY-SA 3.0.

2. Explore the silver screen’s cowboy country

If you’ve ever enjoyed cowboy movies (and who hasn’t?), you may have wondered about where they’re filmed — after all, the right scenery is as crucial to a cowboy as his ten-gallon hat.

Well, you’re in luck, because as it happens, over three hundred cowboy and Old West movies have been filmed in one spot in Arizona — Apacheland Movie Ranch. Today, what remains of Apacheland after a 2004 fire has been restored as part of the Superstition Mountain Museum, so you can come by and check it out for yourself!

Photo courtesy of Scotwriter21/CC BY-SA 4.0.

3. Mosey through a historic ghost town

Ghost towns have an old-fashioned mystique about them, and conjure up images of saloons, silver spurs, and tumbleweeds rolling down Main Street, and Arizona is home to authentic ghost towns that you can visit for yourself.

At Goldfield Ghost Town, you can ride a unique historic train, watch a gunfight, and even tour an authentic gold mine, while the former silver mining town of Chloride is the oldest continuously inhabited mining town in the state. Or, for a more literal “ghost town,” check out Bisbee. This town dates back to 1880 and is rumored to be haunted, so hold onto your hat!

4. Get some learning at Cowboy College

Although they may not actually award degrees, at Arizona Cowboy College, there’s plenty to learn!

One of the Grand Canyon State’s most famous riding schools, visitors can take courses in Western or English riding, or, for the truly dedicated, learn ranching techniques — and where better to learn than the Cowboy College, which is also a working ranch! B

ear in mind that ranching courses only allow a small number of students at a time, and spaces fill up fast, so get your boots on and book as soon as possible!

5. Have a wild west vacation at a dude ranch

Feel like spending a few days in the saddle, away from it all? You can get a proper taste of the Wild West at an Arizona dude ranch, also known as a guest ranch. These are working ranches that also have rooms and activities for visitors.

Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch is situated on over 300,000 acres with all-inclusive hospitality from food and drink to archery and riding, while Kay El Bar Ranch offers intimate getaways in a Nationally-Registered Historic Place. Or, for a true bit of Arizona history, head out to Rancho De La Osa; located on over 100,000 beautiful acres on the edge of the US-Mexico border, this is Arizona’s most historic guest ranch (and a favorite of John Wayne’s!), with all 19 guest rooms furnished with antiques.

Photo by credit Scott T. Baxter courtesy of Rancho de la Osa.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

READ MORE: Where to spot a UFO in Arizona