Founded in 1783 as a Spanish Presidio to protect missionaries and Mexican settlers from the Apaches, Tucson's development under Spanish, Mexican and American flags has included a rich and rough mixture of cowboys, miners, dragoons, Apaches, frontier women, and fast- talking entrepreneurs. They came from Spain, Mexico, the American East and around the world.
Ranching has been an important part of southern Arizona since Father Kino introduced cattle in the 1690s. Native American and Mexican cowboys, "vaqueros" rode the range here for hundreds of years, and still do. Anglo cowboys from Texas and elsewhere joined them when the United States acquired southern Arizona in 1853.
Cowboys have endured in southern Arizona, not only with their distinctive dress, but with an attitude toward life that they fly like a flag. You will see it here and there amid the hurly burly of modern Tucson. A young fella or a skinny old guy with blue jeans a little too long dragging the ground over worn cowboy boots. They are in from Benson or Arivaca and they are not part of the mall scene. Their's is the "cowboy way."
The flavor of the Old West remained well into this century. Tucson stayed small and sleepy, leaping into modern tempo and rapid population growth only since World War II. Today Tucson displays its cowboy heritage best in a few notable events and places.
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in February is without a doubt the Cowboy Event of the year in Tucson. Everybody loves Rodeo Week and all over town you will see Tucsonans dressed in their best cowperson attire. The four-day rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Rodeo, and draws top contestants in all the events.
Perhaps even more appealing to sightseers and photographers alike is the Tucson Rodeo Parade. Billed as the longest non-mechanized parade in the world, this parade will provide you with more wild west atmosphere than you can imagine: horses, mules, oxen, wagons,
costumes, buggies, bands, soldiers, carts, more horses, cowgirls, Indians, riding clubs, clowns, kids, more costumes, dust, and manure, lots of manure.
costumes, buggies, bands, soldiers, carts, more horses, cowgirls, Indians, riding clubs, clowns, kids, more costumes, dust, and manure, lots of manure.
Dating from the 1930s, Old Tucson is an active movie lot complete with a sound studio. The public is welcome all year, even when movies are being filmed. The sets from famous westerns like Rio Lobo and Arizona are still there and make great photos. The kids will enjoy the magic shows, shooting gallery and rides. Staged gun fights by convincing professional stunt men are performed every hour.
Nothing can beat living the "cowboy way" to experience the flavor of the old west. Tucson is a center of world-class "dude" ranches, which combine modern comforts with authentic western trimmings. Crusty wranglers and custom trail rides don't come cheap though. More realistic for many are trail rides of a few hours to get a "seat of the pants" feel for cowboy life.
Old Tucson Studios
This is a great place to get the kid's pictures with "real" cowboys and settings. There are realistic "old" western buildings, mission churches, corrals and endless western photo opportunities. Photographs taken for personal use may be taken anywhere at Old Tucson. Professional photographers taking stock photos or photos for publication will be charged a fee. Please contact the public relations office for information. There are generally no restrictions on taking pictures during the filming of movies, but individual producers may ask that photos not be taken sometimes, particularly if major movie stars are involved.
To get to Old Tucson Studios, take Speedway west past I-10. It turns into a smaller road winding up into the mountains and changes names to Gates Pass Road. Follow this over the pass, down the other side to Kinney Road. Turn left at the stop sign and Old Tucson is on your left. For more information please visit Old Tucson Studios online.
La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros
La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (The Festival of the Cowboys), America's largest outdoor midwinter rodeo and the oldest in the Southwest, has been an outstanding part of Tucson's culture since 1925. The rodeo draws top cowboys and cowgirls from all over the nation with its displays of calf roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and those zany, wonderful clowns, to list just a few of the events.
La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (The Festival of the Cowboys), America's largest outdoor midwinter rodeo and the oldest in the Southwest, has been an outstanding part of Tucson's culture since 1925. The rodeo draws top cowboys and cowgirls from all over the nation with its displays of calf roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and those zany, wonderful clowns, to list just a few of the events.
There is enormous energy, color and excitement generated as the cowboys and cowgirls compete in these death defying events. The rodeo clowns make light of the danger but it is plain the bulls would love to catch one of those cowboys they regularly throw.
You will have to photograph the events from your seat in the grandstand with a telephoto lens. This is, however, a huge outdoor rodeo and you will have ample opportunity to wander the Rodeo Grounds and contact riders, animals, and activity to photograph. Remember, your safety and that of the riders and animals is of primary importance.
The four-day rodeo is part of several celebrations held during rodeo week in Tucson. On the Thursday morning before rodeo, school is let out for all kids and a great majority head downtown for the world's longest non-mechanized parade. La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros is a dandy - more horses than you've probably ever seen before, pretty women, and handsome men, all decked out in western duds, and of course, bands, bands, and more bands. The parade starts at 9:00 am - be downtown by 8:00 am to get a good curb-side seat so you won't miss a thing.
This event takes place in late February at the Pima County Rodeo Grounds located in south central Tucson. Go south on Stone Avenue until it joins 6th Avenue, then continue south, past Ajo Way until you come to the Rodeo Grounds on the east side of 6th Avenue. If you are near I-10, take the 6th Avenue exit and go south on 6th past Ajo Way to the Rodeo Grounds.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Grandstand seating won't necessarily yield the best photos of the parade, but this is where the shuttle drops people off. You should probably be prepared to arrive early and walk along the parade route to scope out some good vantage points.
Grandstand seating won't necessarily yield the best photos of the parade, but this is where the shuttle drops people off. You should probably be prepared to arrive early and walk along the parade route to scope out some good vantage points.
You might want to try to get down to the start at Ajo Way and Park Avenue very early and see the parade entries as they are getting organized in the early morning light. Remember, there will be practically no parking, blocked off streets and a certain amount of confusion, so take an adventurous spirit if you try this.
The parade route begins at the intersection of Ajo Way and Park Avenue, continues south on Park Avenue to Irvington, west on Irvington to 6th Avenue, where it ends near the Rodeo Grounds. The grandstand seating is on Irvington near 6th. Traffic and parking are very difficult so Sun Tran provides shuttle bus service from the parking lots of El Con and Tucson Malls to the Grandstand area. There is usually a map of the route in the morning paper.
Rillito Downs
Spirited racing and a colorful crowd of folks from all over southern Arizona make this a fun afternoon. Both quarter horses and thoroughbreds are raced and there is parimtuel betting
with most of the betting quirks like trifectas to make things interesting. The Tucson Mall is nearby if someone in your party is not convinced this is a good time. Rillito Downs is easy to
find at 1st Avenue and the Rillito River just south of River Road. Call for current year's race dates or check the sports page of the paper.
with most of the betting quirks like trifectas to make things interesting. The Tucson Mall is nearby if someone in your party is not convinced this is a good time. Rillito Downs is easy to
find at 1st Avenue and the Rillito River just south of River Road. Call for current year's race dates or check the sports page of the paper.
Papago All Indian Rodeo and Fair
Sells, Arizona
Highway 86 west to Sells
Sells, Arizona
Highway 86 west to Sells
This fair and rodeo is handled entirely by the Papago, from the ticket sales to the steer wrestling and bareback riding. Held on their reservation, near Sells, you'll find Indian crafts, a parade, songs and dancing, and wonderful Indian fry bread. For specific dates, contact the Tucson Chamber of Commerce.
Tucson Junior Rodeo
Pima County Fairgrounds
Houghton Road-south of I-10
Pima County Fairgrounds
Houghton Road-south of I-10
This event gives the youngsters from five to nineteen years of age an opportunity to try their skills in such activities as bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and saddle bronco riding. Contact the Tucson Chamber of Commerce for further information.
University of Arizona Rodeo
Old Tucson
Old Tucson
201 South Kinney
A major intercollegiate competition between cowboys and cowgirls from the Grand Canyon region is held every year at Old Tucson. It's a two-day event that has been happening every fall since 1939. The usual rodeo activities, as well as admission and rides at Old Tucson, are included in the admission price. Call Old Tucson or the Tucson Chamber of Commerce for dates.
Trail Rides
If you want the old West experience without the expense and commitment of going to a dude ranch, the next best thing is a trail ride. The outfits listed below provide manageable horses
and colorful wranglers. They also offer a wide variety of activities like cookouts, moonlight or sunset rides and private parties. Even for a simple trail ride, call ahead for reservations. Check on the rates when you call for reservations. Excellent photo opportunities.
Pusch Ridge Stables. This outfit has a great location at the base of Pusch Ridge and on the edge of Catalina State Park. 13700 North Oracle Road. (520) 825-1664.
El Conquistador Stables. Located at the El Conquistador Resort, it shares the same great riding country with Pusch Ridge Stables. 10000 N. Oracle Road. (520) 742-4200.
Pantano Stables. Near Saguaro National Monument (East). 4450 S. Houghton Road. (520)
298-7232.
298-7232.
Colossal Cave Mt Park. 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail. (520) 647-3450.
Arizona Horseback Experience. (520) 883-6807.
Big Sky Rides Inc. 5601 N. Hacienda Del Sol. (520) 299-7433.
Rocking K Ranch. 13401 E. Old Spanish Trail. (520) 647-0040.
Spanish Trail Outfitters. 8500 E. Ocotillo Drive. (520) 749-0167.
Dude Ranches
If you have the money and the time, staying at a dude ranch is the best way to relax and enjoy the best of the Old West without many of its discomforts. Being in the quiet desert
environment 24 hours a day will provide an excellent opportunity to see and experience the desert.
environment 24 hours a day will provide an excellent opportunity to see and experience the desert.
These ranches are not motels! Each is geared to stays of at least several days and considers themselves "destination resorts" where you have come to enjoy their facilities. The rates reflect the full service and facilities they offer. The following is only a selection; check the Tucson Official Visitors Guide for complete listings and latest information.
Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. Located on Tucson's east side this full-service guest ranch has it all. It is situated adjacent to the Rincon Mountains and Saguaro National Monument (East) so its trail rides are especially scenic. 14301 E. Speedway Blvd. (520) 296-6275.
White Stallion Ranch. Close to Tucson but isolated on its own 3,000 acre spread adjacent to Saguaro National Monument (West). 9251 W. Twin Peaks Road. (520) 297-0252.
Elkhorn Ranch. Situated about 40 miles southwest of Tucson at the foot of the Baboquivari Mountains this old time ranch is isolated and has the feel of a genuine working cattle ranch, which it is. (520) 822-1040.
C O D Ranch Resort. PO Box 241, Oracle, AZ. (520) 615-3211.
Circle Z Ranch. Route 82. (520) 394-2525.
Corona Ranch. 7595 E. Snyder. (520) 529-1457.
Lazy K Bar Guest Ranch. 8401 N. Scenic Drive. (520) 744-3050.
Rancho Santa Cruz Guest Ranch. 1709 E. Frontage Road. (520) 377-8000.
Rex Ranch Resort & Spa. (520) 398-2914.
Saguaro Vista Guest Ranch. 7501 N. Waole Road. (520) 579-2530.
Triangle T Guest Ranch. I-10, exit 318. (520) 886-7533.
More Cowboy Fan Activities
Return to Tombstone and the Old West in July for the town's Film Festival complete with appearances by movie and television actors who have been in Westerns. 520-457-2546.
Rex Allen Days in Willcox in October. The town's most famous cowboy is remembered through his songs and movies. 520-384-2272 or visit Wilcox Chamber of Commerce.
Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering in Sierra Vista held in February presents family-oriented programs marking the Western way of life through song and verse. Buena Performing Arts Center. 800-288-3861.
Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo has roping, riding, bronco busting and a kid's rodeo, too. The
Sonoita Fairgrounds. 520-455-5553.
Sonoita Quarter Horse Show in May is billed as the oldest in the nation. Santa Cruz County
Fairgrounds. 520-455-5553.
Fairgrounds. 520-455-5553.
Arizona Winter Festival Horse Show in March is a highly regarded hunter/jumper event. Pima Count Fairgrounds. 520-762-9100.
