CottonWood Canyon Ranch - Morongo Valley, California

Greg Baker

My wife and I had a great time on our ride. The wrangler who rode with us was just great. She took great care of my wife who has like no experience riding. I love the owners as well. My wife and I chatted with them for more than a while, and now call them friends.
Looking forward to coming back for a ride and a visit with my new friends. I would highly recommend a ride with them to anyone.

Amara Anyamele

I had a really special time here, the experience was magical and the horses have such beautiful spirits. The staff was very personable, caring, knowledgeable, and passionate. Joe the Wrangler took me on a true desert mountain ride and it was so fun for me to feel free galloping on the back of a horse. When you book make sure you understand that you’re paying for a 1-1 personal tour (unless you’re booking in a group or family) and understand what you’re paying for is not a tourist attraction but an actual horse ride through the mountains. I appreciated both those things because my tour was personalized to my experience and my desire for adventure. Also Georgia & Joe made the experience extra special and I appreciated that too because I went for my birthday. They offer some great excursions and are expanding services with an airbnb stay soon. Overall I would come again & would recommend!

jackson d

If you want to experience true riding in the desert mountains/canyons, great company, and fun stories this place is 1000% the way to go. The horses are well trained and ultra responsive. Suited for all rider types from beginner to expert level. This area has more land/space to explore than you can imagine. You will not find another place like this. Georgia has done an amazing job with keeping this place top notch. Sydney is a great wrangler and happy person to be around. A HUGE hidden gem. I don’t even ride horses and I’m coming back.

Mila Siric

I would highly recommend this ranch to both inexperienced and skilled horseback riders, as well as to animal lovers, given that most of the horses are beautiful rescue horses well taken care of by the wonderful ranch owner, Georgia and her horse wrangler, Cindy! Moreover, the surrounding nature is stunning. ?

Denae

Last week, my friends and I enjoyed a BEAUTIFUL experience at Cottonwood Canyon Ranch! We were staying in the area from out of town, on a girls trip, and really wanted to go horseback riding. Cottonwood Canyon Ranch was quick to answer their phone and helped us book an appointment on very short notice- two days in advance. The property was hidden away on some beautiful desert land, and we were greeted very warmly by Miss Georgia, Cindy, Sydney, and the sweetest most beautiful horses I have ever met.

Please be advised that upon arrival, you are expected to pay and tip in cash. We overlooked this detail and had to drive five minutes back into town to stop at an ATM. You have to pay Georgia and sign some waivers before beginning.

Miss Georgia, the owner of the ranch, made it clear from the beginning that the day was ours and she was here to make our experience a great one, and safe for both the horses and us. She and the ladies made us feel very comfortable and at ease from the start, and even said a prayer with us before we began. This was such a blessing, because we were very nervous and inexperienced in the beginning.

We were each matched up with horses according to our heights, weights, and comfort level. And as it turned out, the horses matched our personalities so well too! I felt so divinely and instantly connected to my horse, Sundance, and I can confidently say that my friends felt the same.

Each horse had a unique personality and story of rescue, rehabilitation, and healing. Miss Georgia was so happy to talk about the horses and obviously very passionate and talented at what she does. She’s been working with horses for her whole life!

The session is an hour and a half officially, but, come with an open heart and good intentions and you just might be pleasantly surprised to be welcomed for longer.

The session begins with the ladies making sure you feel comfortable with your horse, your saddle, and any other equipment, while in the safety of the enclosed arena. Cottonwood Canyon Ranch is a privately-owned, rescue-focused ranch, and so, the horse’s safety is priority. If for some reason Georgia feels like she is not comfortable letting you ride out on the trails, you will not ride. Please keep this in mind.

But, we did get to ride! After getting comfortable with our horses, which did not take long, Georgia lead us out onto the most breathtakingly beautiful desert trail, with her daughter Cindy following behind the group. I was very grateful that they stayed with us the entire ride and assisted us throughout the entire thing.

The horses are so intelligent and intuitive, and overall it was a healing, blessed experience. Georgia and Cindy had some funny stories to tell us along the way, as long as some informative ones. The landscape was amazing and we caught the final golden hours of daylight.

The ladies take photos for you along the way so that you can keep your hands on the reigns, but, if you want high quality photos, I would still recommend taking your own photos because their photo quality was not the best. (It’s okay though, because the memories will remain)

I loved my experience with Sundance and the other horses so much. I definitely want to return to Cottonwood Canyon Ranch soon. I hear it’s pretty in the spring.

I want to also make a side note for my fellow horseback riders of color- our group was a group of Black and Brown Latina young women from the SF Bay Area. One thing we were apprehensive of before riding was how we would be received in such a white space. But, Georgia and the ladies were very hospitable, and I am confident they are that way with all of their guests. And so, if you have any worries or doubts regarding this, please let those fears go!

I highly recommend Cottonwood Canyon Ranch to everybody in the Joshua Tree/Yucca Valley/Morongo Valley area. Definitely worth the money and an unforgettable, beautiful experience.

Many thanks to Georgia, Sydney, Cindy, and the horses Sundance, Tucker, Tobi, Spirit, Whiskey, and Jasmine. God bless you!

Johanna Barlund

I recently took my 82 year old mom here to fulfill her lifelong dream of riding a horse. Since it was her very first time, Georgia walked the horse around on the grounds so my mom could get the feeling of being on a horse, and a horse in motion. From the start, Georgia and her team were very accommodating and understanding to my mom’s needs. All of them happily helped my mom get on and off the horse, and Georgia made sure my mom felt safe and relaxed the entire time. My mom was beyond happy with her first experience on a horse, and can’t wait to go back for more. Next time she comes to visit from Sweden, we will be sure to take here again. My husband and I are going horseback riding there soon too. The grounds and stables are immaculate, and the horses are beautiful and extremely well taken care of. I am so thankful to Georgia and her team for helping us make my mom’s dream come true. We highly recommend this place!

Sierra LindA

Had a great time camping out for a night for my daughter's 8th bday. The hosts were very gracious and set up a private pit for us with the use of haystacks, etc. The girls had fun just watching the horses and although we couldn't really ride because we were all beginners and their trails are not for beginners, they were able to take the girls into the corral for a little lesson. The facilities are well kept and aesthetic. All in all everyone had a really good time and we would do it again!

Israel Ponce

The owners are kind and outgoing. Georgia and Joe have a true passion for these majestic animals. My kids loved the experience and we will be back to learn to care for horses and ride them. Definitely make the trip with family.