I am pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Kerry, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Kerry is from the United States and submitted the following report about her solo trip to Mesa, Arizona. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo Travel Rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages Spoken: English
Costs at Destination: Reasonable (local transportation, dining, tours, events, and attractions)
Like many of you, I love to travel—and travel planning is an important part of it. In fact, I probably spend more time planning than I do actually traveling! I subscribe to multiple travel newsletters (including Solo Traveler), often visit travel websites, and daydream about future trips.
While doing all this research, I frequently stumble on destinations that sound intriguing, hotels that look inviting, and natural wonders I’d love to explore. If I’m feeling particularly organized, I’ll save the article or post in my “travel wish list” folder. When I’m looking for a new getaway, I’ll go back through my folder and see if anything looks appealing.
I nearly always go on a trip for my birthday, which is in mid-May. This year was a big one, and I had originally planned to really do it up, to go someplace like Tanzania on safari, Paris, or even New Zealand. My plans just didn’t work out the way I’d hoped, however, so I found myself trying to plan a short weekend getaway instead. I peeked at my travel wish list and rediscovered Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch.
Nestled along the banks of the Lower Salt River about 25 miles east of Mesa, Arizona, the ranch is located in the Tonto National Forest on property in an exceptionally pretty setting. The river flows in a canyon formed by the Mazatzal Mountains and the Superstition Mountains. The ranch has a cozy Western vibe, with 20 rustic but clean and comfortable guest rooms, an outdoor pool, walking trails, and excellent dining—including a free full breakfast buffet every morning. Chef Scott Heinonen and his staff also create an array of upscale boxed lunches and offer special dinners from time to time (but note that they offer dinner only on certain days).
Best of all, the ranch offers a surprisingly wide variety of outdoor activities. From trail riding on domesticated ranch horses through the Sonoran Desert studded with Saguaro Cactus—the ranch’s namesake—to mountain biking to guided ATV tours to boating down the river, you can find plenty of things to keep you busy there.
Lower Salt River Recreation Area is a great place to go rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, or tubing. You can bring your own equipment or sign up for a guided trip down the river through the ranch. Fishing and birdwatching are also popular pastimes in this multi-use area. In fact, the Audubon Society has designated the ranch as an IBA, or Important Bird Area. Along the river, it’s a good bet you’ll see the local herd of wild horses. I signed up for a guided raft tour and really enjoyed it! I ended up on a small raft with a local couple who were very friendly. The guide was funny and educational, and made the trip a lot of fun. And we saw the horses at the end of our trip.
Beyond river activities, I booked a sightseeing tour on Saguaro Lake aboard a double-decker boat operated by Desert Belle Cruises. The launch site was a short drive only a few miles away from the ranch. They offer an array of narrated cruises, including a mimosa cruise and a craft beer cruise featuring live music.
Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch is perfect for solo travelers. You can keep to yourself if that’s what you prefer, or you can meet other people and socialize. I met some other single ladies from Minneapolis who were spending the week there and we hung out by the pool. Overall, it was a great little solo birthday getaway in a surprisingly gorgeous setting!
Solo Travel Rating for Mesa, Arizona
- Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
- Language – 1 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
- Navigation – 2 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
- Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
- Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
Last updated: 14th September, 2024