Even in the urban confines of the Phoenix metro area, people like to play at being cowboys. Keep in mind that most stables require or prefer reservations. Because any guided ride is going to lead you through interesting desert scenery, your best bet is to pick a stable close to where you're staying. Two area resorts -- Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort and Pointe South Mountain Resort -- have on-site riding stables.

On the south side of the city, try Ponderosa Stables, 10215 S. Central Ave. (tel. 602/268-1261), or South Mountain Stables, 10005 S. Central Ave. (tel. 602/276-8131), both of which lead rides into South Mountain Park and charge $20 per hour. These stables also offer fun dinner rides ($24) to the T-Bone Steakhouse, where you buy your own dinner before riding back under the stars. In the Scottsdale area, MacDonald's Ranch, 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd. (tel. 480/585-0239; www.macdonaldsranch.com), charges $25 for a 1-hour ride and $45 for a 2-hour ride.

On the north side of the valley, Cave Creek Outfitters, off Dynamite Boulevard on 144th Street (tel. 480/471-4635), offers 2-hour rides for $60. Trail Horse Adventures, Spur Cross Road, Cave Creek (tel. 800/723-3538 or 928/282-7252; www.trailhorseadventures.com), charges $30 for 1-hour rides and $55 for 2-hour rides.

On the east side of the valley, on the southern slopes of the Superstitions, you'll find the D Spur, Peralta Road, Gold Canyon (tel. 866/913-77887 or 480/983-0833), which charges $30 for a 1-hour ride, $40 for a 2-hour ride, and $160 per person for an overnight trip.