MacDonald’s Ranch in Scottsdale

MacDonald’s Ranch in Scottsdale opened in 1956 and started out offering $2 horse and hayrides. They eventually started having bonfires and campouts and the ranch grew and grew to what it is now. Today they have over a hundred horses and even more to do for fun.

Horse Rides

The first thing my kids did was run over to the horses to say hi. My son immediately took a walk around the farm on a horse. You are required to stay with the child while riding. Good thing Dad was there to go with him because they did not want me to carry or walk with the other kid while one rode. Understandable, horses don’t know what you are doing. However, not convenient if you have two young kids.

Fun On The Farm

The petting zoo, sand toy area, and all around the north of the farm are all set up for playing! There is some shade, but not a lot. So make sure you bring water, wear sunscreen and take shade breaks.

Party

One thing I loved was the way they had numerous separate areas available for party rentals. They were each different, some more shaded than others, some smaller for smaller parties. They all had a couple of games for kids and adults and would be fun for a birthday or private event. Check here for details.

Petting Zoo

Entering the petting zoo is free. You can buy food to feed the animals. My kids are still a little nervous, so we went slowly. Note, the goats can be very aggressive, and they will eat anything. So watch your kid’s clothes and hands. I happened to get stuck in between the doors where they have a double door to prevent animals from escaping with a very large goat who just wanted to play with the other animals, and my kids were nervous.

Pumpkin Patch