When you’re “Out Wickenburg Way,” you’re in the home of the “Team Roping Capital of the World,” and it definitely feels like that during the winter months. A fairly sleepy town come summer, Wickenburg is bustling with dualies and trailers during the winter as the town swells in population and activity.
Check thearizonajackpot.com for jackpot dates and times as well as producers’ Facebook pages.
Kyle Chrisman’s Roper Nation at Simpson Ranch Arena
503 South Tegner Street
307-260-7673; ropernation.com
• Two lighted arenas
• Horse boarding and RV park, dry camping allowed
• Jackpots four days a week, other specialty ropings
• Two practice sessions per week
• Tack shack
Mike and Karen Fuller’s Downtown Arena
520 North Tegner Street
559-250-2210
Facebook: Downtown Arena
• One arena
• RV park and horse pens
• Weekly practices, jackpots
Yost Events’ Rancho Rio
1325 North Tegner Street
928-684-3150; ranchorioaz.com
Facebook: Rancho Rio
• Two arenas
• Ample stalls, covered and uncovered, RV park, restrooms
• Onsite NRS tack store and Bishop’s Trailer Sales
• Weekly practice, jackpots, specialty ropings all winter, horse sale in March
• Miles of riding trails in the Hassayampa River bed
The Town of Wickenburg’s Everett Bowman Rodeo Arena
1025 Constellation Road
928-684-5451
Facebook: Everett Bowman Arena
• One lighted arena, one warm-up
• Covered grandstands, restrooms
BJ Campbell’s Flying E Ranch Arena
2801 West Wickenburg Way
928-684-2690; 509-222-0490; flyingeranch.com
Facebook: BJ Campbell Team Roping and Let’s Rope Wickenburg
• One arena
• Flying E Guest Ranch has rooms available
• Weekly lessons, training and jackpots
• Ranch sorting, breakaway and barrel practice, too
Hidden Hacienda
36001 S. Moreton Road
478-299-2791; hiddenhaciendaaz.com
Facebook: Hidden Hacienda
• One arena
•10 arena-side RV hookups
• Full-service horse boarding in box stall or covered run
• Practice three days a week, at $30 per roper
Big Tree Arena @ Wickenburg Trailer Sales
30218 US Hwy 60, Wickenburg
928-232-0760; wickenburgtrailersales.com/arena
Facebook: Wickenburg Trailer Sales
• Practice four days a week with possibility of weekly jackpots
Don’t miss…
Entertainment
Despite its small size, Wickenburg is home to several outstanding golf courses, including the newest, Wickenburg Ranch (855-878-1703; wickenburgranch.com), which was named one of the “Best Places to Play Golf in Arizona” by Golf Digest and also boasts four restaurants and a spa.
Rancho de los Caballeros (928-684-5484; ranchodeloscaballeros.com) is celebrating 75 years in 2023. The Rancho is, at its heart, a dude ranch and riding and hiking trails are still a big attraction, along with the spa, dining options, skeet and trap shooting, and, of course, the golf course, which was added in 1979.
Wickenburg’s annual Gold Rush Days swells the already busy town with a carnival, artisan fair, classic car show, Senior Pro Rodeo and even a Melodrama, held Feb. 10–12.
For a walk through history, book a tour at Vulture City Ghost Town (877-425-9229; vultureminetours.com), where more than a dozen buildings from the original mining town that gave birth to Wickenburg have been restored for guided or non-guided tours. Don’t miss the Desert Caballeros Western Museum (928-684-2272; westernmuseum.org) for artifacts and artwork celebrating Wickenburg and its western roots.
Food & Drink
No stay in Wickenburg would be complete without visits to two of its most famous and enduring restaurants: Anita’s Cocina (928-684-5777) and Rancho Bar 7 (928-684-2492; ranchobar7.com). Both are in the restored downtown section of Wickenburg, where you can also experience the town’s historic walking tour if you’re interested in walking off the steaks and margaritas.
Shopping
Shopping ranges from the practical to the whimsical. Try Ben Saddlery (928-684-2683; bensaddlery.com), a staple residing in the same building since 1949; the Old Livery Mercantile (928-684-3298; oldlivery.com), featuring southwestern gifts all made in the USA; and Serape Blue (928-232-2600; serapeblue.com), a Western and bohemian inspired boutique offering women’s clothing, jewelry and gifts.
Don’t forget The Horse Sale @ Rancho Rio if you’re looking for your next equine roping partner. The sale is held in conjunction with the National Team Roping Finals each March and has built a reputation as one of the leading horse sales in the country for team roping horses.
Essential Services
Feed & Tack
• National Roper Supply (NRS)
955 West Wickenburg Way
928-684-7987; nrsranch.com
Facebook: NRS-Wickenburg
Ropes, ropes and more ropes! Feed, tack, apparel, decor, jewelry
• Wickenburg Trailer Sales
30218 US Hwy 60
928-232-0760; wickenburgtrailersales.com
Facebook: Wickenburg Trailer Sales
Hay, feed, trailers
• TX Hay Sales
30358 US Hwy 60/89
928-684-4448
Hay, will deliver, some feed and vet supplies
• Tractor Supply
1860 West Wickenburg Way
928-684-8737, tractorsupply.com
• Riata Saddles
162 East Wickenburg Way, Unit 6
928-684-4999
Facebook: Riata Saddles and Western Store
Veterinary Care
• Hassayampa Veterinary Services
50607 US Hwy 60/89
928-684-3070; hassayampavetservices.com
• Bar S Animal Clinic
3920 Industrial Way
928-684-7846; barsanimalclinic.com
Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance
• Bishop’s Trailer Sales @ Rancho Rio
1325 North Tegner
928-916-0084
Dealerships
• Jones Ford/RAM
555 East Wickenburg Way
844-282-1042; joneschryslerdodgejeepram.com
