The next time you are visiting the Verde Valley you should check out the Richardson Ranch App for local information and turn-by-turn guide to several beautiful hikes in neighboring Coconino National Forest, swimming holes, wineries, restaurants, ATV and kayaking routes and so much more. My brother Ray Richardson created this app for me almost a year ago to assist my guests with getting outdoors and to also answer those frequent asked questions. Thanks to guest feedback I am happy to announce after many long hours that the Richardson Ranch 2.0 app has been released and includes even more local spots and trails. Leave us a comment on the app to help us develop it even more for all Verde Valley guests.
It was two long years searching for the perfect land where I could create a memorable place that friends and family could come together. My plan was to build from the ground up a gathering/lodge area with 6-8 tiny homes that would give guests their own private space. I looked every weekend with friends and family and after another long weekend, I had one last place to look. It was a ranch on almost 10 acres on the Verde river in Cottonwood, Arizona. It sounded okay but so did so many of the other properties I looked at. My friends pushed me to go and when we first located the land I wasn’t that impressed. As I drove down the dilapidated road into an oasis I couldn’t believe all the different types trees I was seeing and two beautiful homes made out of stone. It was a bit overgrown but I was also a bit more intrigued. As we walked around I could envision exactly how I could renovate the two homes into a main and guest house, the barn for indoor weddings and the outdoor workshop space for events/classes. The property provided another 2 acres that I could utilize for my tiny homes and the additional land by the river allowed for another private retreat area
It has now been 2 years since I purchase the property so I thought I would share my renovation journey. The main and guest house have been renovated and have been renting out for the past year and a half with great success! The ranch will continue to improve with an indoor workshop and kitchen, four tiny homes and a completely renovated barn for indoor events. We will also have 4 acres of grass with additional parking and a nice retreat area down by the Verde river that can be enjoyed all year long. We hope you enjoy the journey!
First thing I had to focus on was the entrance to the ranch. When I bought the place you needed a 4×4 vehicle to enter the property and now thanks to Al my grader in Cottonwood, AZ, any type of car has a smooth ride entering the ranch. My mother gifted the ranch with its very own entrance sign with my logo
We removed a lot of dead grass, and trees, added a lot of gravel, and lights to create ambiance when you first enter the ranch.
Join us for a beginners backpacking workshop at the Richardson Ranch. This workshop will give you the opportunity to learn the basic skills of backpacking while creating an unforgettable experience with your group of 6-12 that are social distancing together.
