Things to Do in Verde Village

The stables at Cave Creek Outfitters nestle into the natural splendor of the Sonoran Desert amid its valleys, boulders, and saguaro cacti silhouetted against the setting sun. Owners and operators Todd Masden and Cheryl Ward lead educational tours through the Western landscape with more than 40 well-mannered steeds paired with riders according to their individual ability and experience. Cave Creek Outfitters equips riders with complimentary bottled water and asks that they wear long pants and closed-toe shoes so horses don't feel jealous of their opposable toes.

As the Bradshaw Mountain range stretches into the Sonoran Dessert, its landscapes change quickly. Shrub-strewn hills dip into valleys dotted with cacti. Clear streams run through dense copses, and then open to bare, clay-red plateaus. The guides at Desert Wolf Tours unveil these unforgiving yet magical landscapes, chiefly by leading caravans of Tomcars. These all-terrain vehicles let guests power over rocks, up hillsides, and through card towers to visit destinations such as old turquoise and gold mines and a ghost town.

Desert Wolf's team also takes visitors into the desert for recreational target shooting, supplying them with firearms, such as M16 rifles and Glock 17 handguns, to shoot under the supervision of NRA-certified instructors. Desert Wolf, a family-owned business, adheres to eco-friendly practices, participating in programs such as the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. These efforts have not only earned the respect of guests, but also a certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor.