OUR STORY

An authentic wooden door with a chile ristra hanging on one of the buildings of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.

Kay El Bar Guest Ranch has been offering western hospitality since 1918, when the first paying guests arrived at our cattle ranch.

Well before Wickenburg, Arizona, became known as “The Dude Ranching Capital of the World,” Kay El Bar was welcoming guests — in fact, it was the first.

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 a cherished Arizona tradition.

At Kay El Bar you can unwind and adventure with a dude ranch vacation in the heart of the Arizona desert. Ride the trails, enjoy the pool and hot tub, hike, or relax in the lodge living room. Whatever you want, you will find adventure and relaxation at your own pace.

Our small size, with a maximum of about 25 guests, is part of our laid-back charm and our friendly staff make it easy to become part of the Kay El Bar family.

Guests come to the Kay El Bar for the same reason they came 100 years ago: to get a taste of the West, hone their riding skills and simply get away to relax. Enjoy over 100 years of history at the ranch on your own, or with friends and family, and become a part of the Kay El Bar family. Kay El Bar is a historic guest ranch in the True Ranch Collection.

Walter the mini donkey stands in front of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch sign in the corrals.
Horseback riders in the Sonoran desert during an Arizona dude ranch vacation.
An exterior shot of the historic adobe buildings at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
A wrangler talks with guests during dinner at the historic Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
Guests on a desert horseback ride during their Arizona dude ranch vacation.
Two dude ranch guests join each other after dismounting their horses after riding.
The historic patio of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Historic photo of dude ranch guests at the Kay El Bar in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Cacti and chile ristras outside of an historic adobe building at the Kay El Bar.
The historic adobe buildings of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
The gates of the Kay El Bar Ranch, a historic dude ranch in Arizona.
One of the historic buildings at the Kay El Bar in Wickenburg, Arizona.
A mini donkey stands between saddled horses at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
The historic adobe buildings of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
A wrangler tacks up her horse in the corrals at the historic Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
Some of the main historic adobe buildings at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Arizona.
A group of horseback riders climbs a hill in the Arizona desert on a True Guest Ranch vacation.
Dudes on horseback ride through the Sonoran Desert during a vacation to the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
A covered wagon with Kay El Bar Guest Ranch on the side.
A group of horseback riders climbs a hill in the Arizona desert on a True Guest Ranch vacation.
A miniature donkey stands in the corrals at the Kay El Bar, a True Guest Ranch.
An aerial view of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Two riders on horseback in an Arizona sunset.
A rider works with cattle in an arena at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
An exterior view of the main lodge at the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
The historic adobe buildings of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
Horses in a pasture at the Kay El Bar.
The historic adobe buildings of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
A rider gallops through the Hassayampa Wash during a dude ranch vacation.
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The historic adobe buildings of the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch.
The Kay El Bar green covered wagon.
Two riders in an Arizona sunset on horseback.
Two riders in the Arizona Sonoran desert on a dude ranch vacation.
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