SPRUCEDALE RANCH

Our Family, Our Story, Our History

SPRUCEDALE
RANCH

Our Family, Our Story, Our History

Arizona's Premiere Dude Ranch
Adventure Since 1921!

We Can't Wait To See You At The Ranch!

Meet The Wiltbank Family
Owners Since 1942

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.

For questions, rates or reservations, please call us at: 928-333-4984

SPRUCEDALE RANCH
A Little Slice of Heaven In Arizona

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.

For questions, rates or reservations, please call us at: 928-333-4984

 

The Trail Of
Sprucedale Ranch

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1907

    Hyrum Thompson homesteads Espero; known today as Sprucedale
    The Thompson family completed land improvements that consisted of one log cabin and barn.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1921

    Earnest and Bertha Patterson purchase Espero
    Within the first few years of ownership the Pattersons began operating as a guest ranch called Sprucedale. They built four rental cabins before Mr. Patterson became ill.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1941

    Walter and Fay Wiltbank are persuaded by the Pattersons to buy Sprucedale
    Walter and Fay continue working cattle and add nine more cabins to sustain the increasing amount of “dude” vacationers.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1981

    Emer and Esther Wiltbank inherit the ranch after Walter’s passing
    Emer and Esther added four additional cabins and many more ranch activities.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2004

    Lil’ Emer and Aleesa Wiltbank manage the ranch
    The ranch was managed by Lil’ Emer and Aleesa Wiltbank from 2004-2006. Lil’ Emer is Emer and Esther’s third son.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2007

    Brian and Tiffany Willis manage the ranch
    Tiffany Willis is Emer and Esther’s youngest child.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2008

    Emer and Aleesa return to manage the ranch for one more year

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2009

    Whitney and Janae Wiltbank take over the family business
    Whiteny and Janau have been managing the family business from 2009 to today. Whitney is the youngest Wiltbank son. With help from his siblings this working cattle and horse ranch has become an authentic, prominent Guest Ranch in North America.

Arizona's Premiere Dude Ranch
Adventure Since 1921!

We Can't Wait To See You At The Ranch!

Meet The Wiltbank Family
Owners Since 1942

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.

For questions, rates or reservations, please call us at: 928-333-4984

SPRUCEDALE RANCH
A Little Slice of Heaven In Arizona

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.

For questions, rates or reservations, please call us at: 928-333-4984

 

The Trail Of
Sprucedale Ranch

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1907

    Hyrum Thompson homesteads Espero; known today as Sprucedale
    The Thompson family completed land improvements that consisted of one log cabin and barn.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1921

    Earnest and Bertha Patterson purchase Espero
    Within the first few years of ownership the Pattersons began operating as a guest ranch called Sprucedale. They built four rental cabins before Mr. Patterson became ill.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1941

    Walter and Fay Wiltbank are persuaded by the Pattersons to buy Sprucedale
    Walter and Fay continue working cattle and add nine more cabins to sustain the increasing amount of “dude” vacationers.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    1981

    Emer and Esther Wiltbank inherit the ranch after Walter’s passing
    Emer and Esther added four additional cabins and many more ranch activities.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2004

    Lil’ Emer and Aleesa Wiltbank manage the ranch
    The ranch was managed by Lil’ Emer and Aleesa Wiltbank from 2004-2006. Lil’ Emer is Emer and Esther’s third son.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2007

    Brian and Tiffany Willis manage the ranch
    Tiffany Willis is Emer and Esther’s youngest child.

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2008

    Emer and Aleesa return to manage the ranch for one more year

  • Sep 7, 2020

    2009

    Whitney and Janae Wiltbank take over the family business
    Whiteny and Janau have been managing the family business from 2009 to today. Whitney is the youngest Wiltbank son. With help from his siblings this working cattle and horse ranch has become an authentic, prominent Guest Ranch in North America.

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Experience

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tnavm

TripAdvisor Review

"Enjoy three country cooked meals, more stars than black sky at night, lightning storms, porch comfort, log cabin comfort, cowboy style horse rides, cattle round-ups, pure isolation, and the love of the Wiltbank host family. Life-impacting."

Dana T

Facebook Review

"This place is amazing to unplug from electronics and connect with your loved ones. I cannot recommend this place enough. Family owned, family operated, and family enjoyed!!! Truly an amazing experience that you will Never Forget!"

Richard W

TripAdvisor Review

"This was my first stay at Sprucedale and I loved it. My wife used to come when she was a child and had been dying to return. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Food was great and served family style. This was my first time riding real horses. These aren't the tired nags that just follow the horse in front of them. These were lively and wanted to run. I rode every day, had a blast and learned so much. This is a working ranch and we herded livestock on several of the rides. We took another ride to a nearby lake and ate lunch and swam. The other guests were very friendly and most have been coming here for years. There are fun activities at night. We've already decided we're coming back next year."

Dude Ranchers Association Member

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Arizona Dude Ranch Association Member

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Testimonials

tnavm

TripAdvisor

"Enjoy three country-cooked meals, more stars than black sky at night, lightning storms, porch comfort, log cabin comfort, cowboy style horse rides, cattle round-ups, pure isolation, and the love of the Wiltbank host family. Life-impacting."

Dana T.

facebook Review

"This place is amazing to unplug from electronics and connect with your loved ones. I cannot recommend this place enough. Family owned, family operated, and family enjoyed!!! Truly an amazing experience that you will Never Forget!"

Richard W.

Tripadvisor Review

"This was my first stay at Sprucedale and I loved it. My wife used to come when she was a child and had been dying to return. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Food was great and served family style. This was my first time riding real horses. These aren't the tired nags that just follow the horse in front of them. These were lively and wanted to run. I rode every day, had a blast and learned so much. This is a working ranch and we herded livestock on several of the rides. We took another ride to a nearby lake and ate lunch and swam. The other guests were very friendly and most have been coming here for years. There are fun activities at night. We've already decided we're coming back next year."

Check Us Out Everywhere:

 

Check Us Out
Everywhere:

Dude Ranchers Association Member

Arizona Dude Ranch Association Member

Stay In The Loop - Subscribe To Our newsletter!

1-928-333-4984

© 2020 Sprucedale Guest Ranch | Dude Ranch Vacations | Alpine, Arizona 85920

Physical Address:
1228 Wiltbank Road (Forest Service 565) Alpine, AZ 85920
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 880 Eagar, AZ 85925

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Physical Address:
1228 Wiltbank Road (Forest Service 565)
Alpine, AZ 85920
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 880 Eagar, AZ 85925

Powered By Websites That Work, LLC

Physical Address:
1228 Wiltbank Road
(Forest Service 565)
Alpine, AZ 85920
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 880
Eagar, AZ 85925

Powered By Websites That Work, LLC