Beaver Creek Guest Ranch

A few special places still exist in this country... where the land has changed little in centuries...where life goes on at a more natural pace and where, just being here every day is a privilege and a delight. Truly sons of the pioneers, Billy and Caren Wiltbank are continuing a family heritage that was started in the early 1900's. Their sons Jake and Sam are the 4th generation to welcome guests to one of the most remote and beautiful areas of the country. The ranch has roots extending far into the past and the family history is filled with accomplishments that brought this Arizona territory to what it is today. They belong to an earlier simpler age, when a man was judged by his knowledge of the land and his ability to survive its hardships. Not much has changed and fortunately the presence of man is still extremely limited. Bordered on the north by the Middle Mtn. range and on the south by the Blue Mtn. range and nestled in a secluded valley on Beaver Creek, guests can truly feel as if they have stepped back in time.

The ranch sits in the summer range of elk, deer, antelope and big horn sheep. Explore the peaceful and unhurried life of yesterdays gone by and more stars in the night sky than you've ever seen before. One of the joys of going to a family ranch is watching everyone work together. Billy and Caren have that nonjudgmental, cowboy sense of freedom... everyone can be just who they are. Open June thru October.

The Mexican Gray Wolf, native to the area and once common in the region were completely extirpated, with only a few remaining in Mexico and were officially listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1976. In March 1998 11 wolves were initially released into the 7000 square mile Blue Range Recovery Area, comprised of the Apache National Forest in eastern Arizona and the Gila National Forest in west central New Mexico. There are approximately 12 packs free-ranging in the area. The wolves are not interested in human contact. The presence of wolves in the forests near Beaver Creek is something to delight in, not to fear. Guests of the ranch are often treated to the sound of the beautiful, unique howling of the wolves.
See their website at mexicanwolf.fws.gov.

Check out the cover story that was written about us a few years ago.

"When It's Round Up Time
at Beaver Creek Ranch
Author Gail Dudley, an experienced horsewoman, relives the thrill of an October wild horse roundup in White Mountains Country. For Dudley and the 19 other participants, the feverish roundup is a yearly event they observe as fervently as a national holiday."

~Arizona Highways, Nov. 1998

Besides Arizona Highways, Beaver Creek Guest Ranch has received great reviews from other fine publications such as The Trail Rider, Persimmon Hill and Cowboy & Country.

The History of Beaver Creek Guest Ranch

Beaver Creek Ranch is located near the ancient path Coronado followed in search of the "seven cities of Cibola" over 460 years ago. In 1921 a local rancher plowed up a dagger engraved with the name of one of Coronado's captains. Two centuries later Geronimo roamed this same mountain country and ranch guests often find Indian artifacts in the meadows along Beaver Creek. Little has changed since the ranch was originally homesteaded in the late 1880's. The ranch is located on the legendary outlaw trail. This once remote area was a haven for the Clantons, the Smith gang, Butch Cassidy and the Apache Kid.

Although notorious bandits and desperados no longer pass through here, the Wiltbank family has lovingly preserved the rustic western heritage of the old west.