Sprucedale Guest Ranch

Arizona’s Premiere Dude Ranch  |  Adventure Since 1921!

Sprucedale is located deep in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest; 14 miles from Big Lake, and 12 miles from highway 191. Homesteaded on over 80 acres of private land, the Ranch consists of a large main lodge, 13 guest cabins, workers quarters, barns, corrals, a playground, a dance porch, and a frog pond; all tucked in a beautiful green valley surrounded by pines and split by the curved banks of Beaver Creek—a meandering stream of clear water full of crawdads and minnows.

The rustic cabins are historical and full of character. All have bathrooms, and most consist of two other rooms, three beds, a table and chairs, and a wood stove. They sleep from three to seven adults. The beds and bedding are recently upgraded to provide a comfortable night’s rest, and each cabin has a front porch with an amazing view.

Everything about Sprucedale from horse rides, games, activities, and meals are centered around having fun together and enjoying a stress-free vacation.

Sprucedale Ranch was homesteaded by Hiram and Maryette Thompson around the year 1906. Over the course of fifteen years they built a cabin and two log barns, and dug a well as they farmed and raised livestock. In 1921 they sold the property to another ranching family, Ernest and Bertha Patterson. Shortly afterward, some fishermen stopped by looking for shelter from the monsoon. The Patterson’s offered the men a small storage shed, and, unbeknownst to them, introduced the first “guests” of Sprucedale Guest Ranch.

Slowly the Pattersons added three new cabins as their guests increased. Twenty years passed, and none of the Patterson children were interested in continuing the family business, so Hiram and Maryette approached their neighbors, Walter and Faye Wiltbank, concerning the purchase of Sprucedale. Walter and Faye were hesitant at first. Herding people seemed a far stretch from herding cattle, but they eventually agreed on a price and bought the ranch in 1941.

Over the next forty years Walter and Faye raised four children (Margine, Bud, Emer, and Ellis), countless livestock, and seven more cabins as they worked to improve their new business of raising city folks in the ways of the country. Then in 1981 Sprucedale passed to Emer and Esther who expanded the tradition to seven children and added six more cabins—working even harder to increase and improve the experience that was becoming Sprucedale. With this grand heritage, the ranch passed once again from father to son in 2004, and is now operated by Whitney, his wife Janae, and their five children. Unable to stay away, Whitney’s brothers and sisters continue to help run the family business as often as they can. Even for the Wiltbanks, Sprucedale is a place where family comes together.