Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest

Photo gallery for Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest

A desert landscape with a sign reading 'Welcome to the Ranch' and a covered area with plants.
A rustic wooden structure with a thatched roof, surrounded by desert vegetation and rocks.
A desert landscape with cacti and a stone structure, viewed through a window.
A patio with cacti and a grill under a wooden pergola at night.
A building with a large open entrance, a covered area with tables, and a fenced outdoor area.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Your own private chef
    One of the few properties offering private chef services.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Tonto National Forest

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Massages in spa
  • Private pool
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Breakfast for a fee

Explore the area

View map
Scottsdale, AZ
  • Place, Tonto National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Westworld of Scottsdale
    ‪45 min drive‬
  • Place, Talking Stick Resort Casino
    ‪54 min drive‬
  • Airport, Phoenix, AZ (DVT-Phoenix Deer Valley)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Scottsdale

Located in Rio Verde Foothills, a neighbourhood in Scottsdale, this apartment is in a rural area. McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Tonto National Forest reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include George "Doc" Cavalliere Park and Arizona Powerchutes. Ready for a night out? Consider Highlands Church and Harold's Cave Creek Corral. Take some time off to enjoy the health/beauty spas in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like cycling, rock climbing and horse riding nearby.
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Map
Scottsdale, AZ

What's nearby

  • Tonto National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Westworld of Scottsdale - 45 min drive - 34.3 km
  • Desert Ridge Marketplace - 45 min drive - 37.0 km
  • Kierland Commons - 50 min drive - 40.0 km
  • Talking Stick Resort Casino - 54 min drive - 48.2 km

Getting around

  • Phoenix, AZ (DVT-Phoenix Deer Valley) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Needle Rock Kitchen And Tap - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Cochise Geronimo Clubhouse - ‬47 min drive
  • ‪Apache Clubhouse - ‬41 min drive
  • ‪Raven’s View Wine Bar - ‬38 min drive
  • ‪Constantino's at Desert Mountain Club - ‬40 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest?

As of 5 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest on 30 November 2026 start from NZ$1,070, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Serene & Secluded, Heart of the Sonoran Desert, 62 acre EcoRanch on Natl Forest located?

Located in Rio Verde Foothills, this apartment building is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Tonto National Forest and within 9 miles (15 km) of McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Tom's Thumb Trail. Golf Club Scottsdale and George "Doc" Cavalliere Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 31 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay, relaxing and peaceful! We were very comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful environment

The ranch is beautiful. Great accommodations and friendly community.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Great hosts. Beautiful place.

Highly recommend. Beautiful spot close to Phoenix area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thanks so much for the great review! We hope to see you back at Rio Rancho Verde in the future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Destination All Its Own

Staying at the Rio Rancho Verde was the highlight of our trip to Arizona. . . so beautiful and wonderful accommodations.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

True Desert Retreat

Beautiful surroundings and comfortable property. So many places to explore, and Carmela and Joe were such nice hosts. Hope to return!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 November 2023
We hope you return as well, so glad you enjoyed your stay, it was a pleasure hosting you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Piece of Heaven

Wonderful, charming , Carmela and Joe are fabulous hosts. Great experience!
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

It was everything we need. Couldn't have hoped for a better get away. If you have a chance, definitely listen to Joe talk about the local history!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 November 2021
thanks so much, we so enjoyed having you and your adorable pup!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Desert Oasis

What a find in this desert oasis. If you love to spend time enjoying the outdoors, this is a true treasure. While surrounded by the tranquil beauty of desert you can rest and relax in this nicely decorated and maintained bunkhouse. The owners are a delight and can assist with trails, outfitters, and adventures.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thank you so much for the wonderful review - we truly enjoyed having you both out at the ranch and glad you were able to experience the trails and the time spent here!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect oasis in the desert

Joe and Carmela’s property is an amazing, perfect oasis in the desert. The bunkhouse or casita Is charming and had everything we needed for a weekend stay. I spent hours wandering between the outdoor patio, the organic garden, the barn to visit the horses, and at the ranch with its majestic saguaro cacti. It was a magical, peaceful, rejuvenating weekend. Joe and Carmela are as charming as their property. We can’t wait to book our next trip there.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
We so loved having you out to the ranch and are delighted you enjoyed your stay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Desert treasure

The bunkhouse was a sweet desert retreat for us! It was delightfully appointed with so many southwestern touches and unique furniture accent pieces! And the view from the porch was excellent! With hills on the horizon and stark/ dramatic desert foliage in the foreground! Loved it! And the hostess- Carmela was charming! Thanks for sharing your corner of a desert treasure!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 April 2021
thank you so much for your kind words - we loved having you here at the ranch!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular location!

! The staff is friendly, flexible and fantastic.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Getaway

This is a beautiful property located in a beautiful area. It’s remoteness makes it an even better way to relax and enjoy!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice location.

Property is as advertised. Recommend to anyone who is looking to go more remote.
Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful place

Carmela and Joe were gracious hosts. We loved the place. Clean and well equipped. We highly recommend. It's a bit of the beaten path, but for us that was the charm of it.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful getaway

What a wonderful getaway! It was so quiet and peaceful with a beautiful night sky full of stars to enjoy. Close enough to activities and food and far enough to feel like you’re at the “end of the road”.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

FANTASTIC!

We were looking for a quiet place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This property was exactly what we were looking for. Easy access to trails. Perfect getaway for us! The ranch was extremely well kept and the unit was spotless with everything functioned as needed/described. Our hosts were there if needed and also helped getting a package we needed to have delivered which we greatly appreciated. Can't wait to go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 9 December 2020
Thanks for the great review, we truly enjoyed having you and hope to see you back at the ranch!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Coronavirus cuts our trip short!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Rio Verde ... a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Arizona desert. The hostess, Carmela, was so warm and inviting and easy to reach if we needed anything...a friend! Because of the coronavirus, we had to leave 5 days early to return to our home in Washington state...a real disappointment! We hope to return!
Stayed 14 nights in Mar 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A trifecta!

For those of you who enjoy desert hiking , biking and horseback riding trails, this should be your destination. Not only is the location great, but the owners and the casita we stayed in were, as well. Much care was taken in the furnishing of the roomy casita,with authentic western flare and unique, artistic touches delighting the eye. An organic garden is located behind the casita , accessible to all guests, thanks to the generosity of owners, Joe and Carmela. Though at first glance this ranch might appear more suitable to those folks who bring their horses, it really is the perfect place for any guests who enjoy the solitude and beauty of the surrounding desert/mountains, whether you're on your horse, your bike or your feet...or just sitting in a patio chair with a good book! We hiked, played golf at surrounding area courses, and relaxed at a lovely ranch, with snickering horses and sweet dogs as an added bonus. Terrific!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Love this review and you for totally getting what we're trying to accomplish for our guests here at the ranch. We're so glad you were able to immerse yourselves in the beauty that surrounds us. And, thanks so much for leaving the bunkhouse so clean - it sparkled and made my job a lot easier. Please come back and see us again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

The setting is magical, perfect getaway!

We loved the accommodations, especially the outdoor seating area, Carmella and Joe are wonderful, attentive hosts, and great fun to chat with! We highly recommend the ranch—with the Tonto National Forest and a preserve literally across the street, there were endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the scenery was stunning.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thanks so much for staying with us - we truly enjoyed the both of you and loved our talks! Please come back and see us again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rio Rancho Verde is a Fabulous Place!

My sister and I stayed at the “Casita” recently. We loved it and hope to return again! If you are coming for your first visit, make sure to arrive before dark. Although Carmela gives clear instructions about how to find the ranch, it is difficult to figure out where you are after dark. Don’t bother with your auto’s GPS – it won’t help until you get close. The Casita is set up like an efficiency apartment. There is a large bed, a sitting area with a large, new television set, a kitchen area with a large refrigerator, sink, microwave, small electric oven, plenty of cooking and serving utensils. We asked for a second bed to be brought in and it was there when we arrived. The WiFi worked perfectly. We also used the dining area on the patio outside. The ranch is charming! Beautiful landscaping with cactus of all sorts and sizes. Our hosts display their collection of metal art works, some small and some large, all situated very appropriately to the landscape and the space. When you go for a walk in the morning, you will find horses in the stable, a beautiful garden where you can pick greens for your salad, and maybe some people tending the horses or preparing for a trail ride. There was a full moon while we were there, so that the night was almost as clear as the day. It is a beautiful, peaceful place where you can rest and relax and regenerate your soul! I can’t say enough good about Rio Rancho Verde and its charming, helpful, friendly hosts, Carmela and Joe. Thanks to them, we had a lovely visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

What a wonderful place to stay!

Wow- this ranch is beautiful- amazing views, well-furnished and decorated rooms...and Carmela was always there to help. Lovely, lovely experience, will stay there again.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
It was such a pleasure having you out to Rio Rancho Verde -please come see us again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Experience life on a horse ranch with unbeatable desert views.

We spent 5 days and would have loved (at least) 5 more. Joe and Carmela were wonderfully accessible and helpful. They convey the heart of their ranch life and options for activity (hiking, biking, riding) if you’re inclined; you can choose your level of interaction. The property has been built and tended with evident love. We’d set out on morning walks accompanied by Grace-the-dog, passing by the campers who were boarding their horses at the ranch. (They were pajama’d and enjoying outdoor coffee & breakfast.) We hiked in the Tonto several times, where the views are spectacular and the quality of light, amazing. Because we had friends and family nearby, we drove into town several times for golf, massage and good restaurant options. On another trip, we just might stock up on groceries (and maybe a little tequila) and stay on the ranch the whole time! Take the time to talk with Carmela to understand which of the lodging options (there are several) will best suit you, as the amenities vary across them. We were in the Bunkhouse and would happily stay there again, but will likely try the other building with pool and outdoor living room on our next stay...
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Beautiful

The owners were very responsive to the issues that arose for us. Very flexible. It's a lovely quiet place
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Incredible space!!

What luck we ended up at Carmela and Jon’s place. After having 2 prior bookings for the weekend cancel last minute during one of the busiest times in Scottsdale (spring training) we were left with few options. I found this location and promptly emailed asking if my dogs would be welcome. Carmela replied quickly with a yes and I booked it. I am so glad I did. They have a beautiful ranch and were lovely hosts. The space itself is a converted garage, but it is tastefully decorated, totally functional and very comfortable. Plenty of space for my hubby and I with our 2 large dogs. The patio is great, with a very nice view. We enjoyed sitting outside and taking in the view for morning coffee and wine in the evening. It’s far out of town, but really, it is so beautiful out there that I found it to be totally worth the drive time to old town Scottsdale. In fact, I’d like to go back to just spend a long weekend to just hang at the ranch. There is tons of open space just outside their ranch gates, so perfect for the dogs. They have horses on the property and I had a great time doing a little roping with Jon. They have a beautiful organic garden that guests can access. I really can’t say enough good things about this property, other than it is probably one of my very best HomeAway finds. Definitely recommend this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Wow! Thank you so much for the wonderful review! It was great having you here and I know Joe and Jon enjoyed getting their butts kicked by you with the roping dummy! Please do come back and spend a long weekend, maybe you could give them some lessons! Just a note to clarify to visitors reading this review - we're 20 - 30 minutes from North Scottsdale with shopping, bars and restaurants and 45 minutes to Old Town Scottsdale but either way it's hard to believe that our little piece of desert paradise is so secluded and private, yet it's only 20 - 40 minutes away from the 2 million people who live in Phoenix!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

I struggle with a review because I want to keep this gem to myself

We really enjoyed our stay, the location and property was beautiful, very well located to great hiking. While drives into town for shopping and baseball spring training games took time you just had to plan accordingly. Carmella and Joe were great hosts, full of wonderful advice and suggestions.
Response from VrboOwner on 1 April 2020
Thanks so much for the wonderful review! We truly enjoyed having you out to Rio Rancho Verde and hope to see you again soon!
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