The Ranch Experience

$500 per person | All skill levels welcome | mini retreat / half day experience

Spend time immersed in the horses, the ranch, and the rhythms of desert life.

The Ranch Experience is a day retreat that invites you behind the scenes of a horse ranch, where you'll spend time getting to know the herd and your select horse, learning the foundations of horsemanship, and experiencing custom riding built for you and your group.

Designed for families, friends, corporate teams, and private groups, The Ranch Experience is an invitation to step behind the scenes of a working horse ranch. Every experience is customized around your group's interests & goals, creating an unforgettable day built around horses, the desert and ranch life.

Typically enjoyed by private groups of 4–10 guests.

Add-ons include refreshments package, private chef package or overnight stay package.

• Call 760-821-7525 to book •

Photography by Bryce Thompson

What to Expect

  • Our team brings together decades of experience across ranch riding, packing, western pleasure, roping, trail horses, and hoof care. Every Ranch Experience is shaped around your interests, creating an opportunity to ask questions, build confidence, and deepen your understanding of horses through the disciplines that inspire you most.

  • Get to know the horses as individuals and learn how we build and develop Knob Hill Ranch horses. Each participant will get paired with a horse to work with throughout the experience.

  • Great horsemanship begins long before you step into the saddle. During your time at the ranch, you'll learn how horses communicate, how trust is built, and why every interaction shapes the partnership between horse and rider. By preparing your horse together and understanding the principles behind how we train and care for our herd, you'll head into Joshua Tree with a deeper appreciation for the remarkable animal carrying you through it.

  • Put your partnership into practice as you ride into Joshua Tree National Park. With more time in the saddle and a deeper understanding of your horse, you'll experience the desert from a perspective few visitors ever do. Your guide will customize the trail and ride length to your experience level and your goals.

  • No two days at the ranch are exactly alike. Depending on the season, you may observe a training session, walk through the pastures, meet young horses, or learn how we steward the land and care for the herd. It's an opportunity to experience the rhythms of a working ranch beyond the trail.

  • Unlike a traditional tour, The Ranch Experience isn't built around a fixed itinerary. We'll adapt the day to your group's interests—whether that's spending more time in the saddle, asking questions about horses, exploring the ranch, or enjoying a relaxed lunch together. The result is a day that feels personal, unhurried, and uniquely your own.

    • Refreshments (+ $50 per person)

    • Photographer ($600)

    • Sound bath (call to inquire)

    • Chef brunch, lunch or dinner (call to inquire)

  • "Knob Hill Ranch takes a different approach, and after sitting with Madeline and Michael for a length of time after my 2nd ride, I learned that Knob Hill is on a different level than most ranches you'll encounter. Horses at Knob Hill are treated with such compassion and care. A horse only rides once a day, and that alone was enough for me to know I can trust the way this ranch is ran. They have a deep respect, for not only the horses, but the land as well, and you will feel it as soon as you get there. There is something sacred under the lands surface, and it feels as though the ranch is operating in such a beautiful way, because they're mirroring the sacred beauty and elegance that lies beneath the soil. Oh, and it's worth mentioning, they host equine therapy on their land as well, along with sound baths for folks. I mean, this ranch is dabbling into all things that revolve around healing and cultivating a calm and peaceful environment. Once you experience it, how could you not want to go back?! And for me, it's a 6 hour drive each way, totally worth it."

    Jadon K.

  • "We were welcomed by Madeline and Michael and their adorable dogs the second we pulled up to the ranch. The facility and grounds are not only stunning but also clearly cared for and maintained impeccably. What stood out most to me was the way they treat and care for their horses. They took the time to reach out to us ahead of time to see if we could ride earlier in the day to beat the unseasonable heatwave in March for the safety and wellbeing of the horses. We said absolutely. The horses were tacked and ready for us when we arrived. They are clearly so loved and well taken care of. Their needs a priority. They had great feet and just overall you could tell they are loved dearly. Michael took us out on an almost 3 hour ride through the national park and answered every single question we had and shared with us his passion and knowledge for horsemanship. The views and scenery were unbeatable. Absolutely breathtaking and stunning. My mom cried because she didn’t want it to end. "

    Emily G.

  • "Absolutely amazing horseback riding experience! The ranch is beautiful, the horses are well cared for and gentle, and the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. From start to finish, everything felt safe, relaxed, and fun. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced rider, this is the perfect place to enjoy the scenery and connect with nature, and the horses."

    Andrea B.