The Spirit Lives On: Blazin’ M Ranch, Cottonwood, AZ

The Blazin' M recreates a Wild West town

Dad had one basic request for this cross-country adventure. He wanted to experience a real, honest-to-goodness, cowboy-style chuckwagon supper. I’m sure he thought he meant out under the stars, after a good hard ride on horseback. And maybe we’ll still do it before this trip is over. But in the meantime, we discovered something just as good, if not better.

Cottonwood, Arizona’s Blazin’ M Ranch is one of those “Wild West in a box” sort of experiences that we generally shy away from. But after hearing endlessly good reviews from the locals, we decided to give it a chance. After all, if the locals rave about it, the place must be doing something right. As it turns out, the Blazin’ M was one of the highlights of our stay in the Verde Valley and in the top ten things we’ve done this entire summer!

About the Blazin’ M Ranch

Blazin' M is filled with historic artifacts

The Blazin’ M is a true family affair. Originally settled as a cattle and dairy ranch in the 1800s, the Blazin’ M was purchased by the Mabery family in 1966. The Maberys focused on vegetable farming, but were wiped out by the flood of 1993. So the family turned its attention to theater. The Blazin’ M Chuckwagon Dinner Theater opened in 1994 and is still going strong.

Today the Blazin’ M offers a full evening of entertainment. Frontier Town is a recreated Wild West town largely recycled from Hollywood film sets. Free activities include a narrated ride in a wagon pulled by a 1937 John Deere tractor, an authentic Yavapai-Apache camp, a petting zoo and mechanical steer roping. For a small fee, you can pan for gold, have an Old West photo taken, or even try your hand at firing an 1800s Colt 45 six-shooter. Don’t miss the free, interactive Mabery Museum or the Copper Spur Saloon, both filled with interesting artifacts.

Frontier Town is open for approximately two hours (depending on season) before the dinner show begins. The shops reopen after the show, allowing you to make purchases without carrying them around all evening.

Our Experience at the Blazin’ M

The tractor pull gave us a new perspective on the ranch

Dad and I arrived at approximately 4:30 pm. The gates were already open and several people were milling around inside. We pre-booked tickets, which I strongly recommend, as the show tends to sell out. We took a quick walk around Frontier Town to get our bearings, and then started in on the activities.

The town was surprisingly realistic, complete with a Wild West jail. Of course, we had to take turns “locking” each other in and taking photographs. The shops were packed with interesting memorabilia that was miles ahead of the typical tourist t-shirts and shot glasses. Prices were reasonable and the staff extremely friendly.

The tractor pull was a true must-see. We rode through parts of the ranch that are not accessible by foot. Props and set pieces along the trail helped bring the ranch’s history to life. The ride is just a few minutes long, but definitely worthwhile. The wagon is not wheelchair-accessible, but staff is willing to help guests board if needed.

Dad loved firing an authentic Colt six-shooter

I was surprised that my hippie father wanted to fire a gun, but he got extremely excited about handling a historic six-shooter. Eye protection is provided, along with a few tips. But I don’t think I need to worry about Dad deciding to buy a gun anytime soon–he barely managed to hit the target, never mind the bullseye! You get to keep your target, which makes a nice souvenir, and it only costs a few dollars.

The time flew by, and we were surprised to hear the dinner bell ring. We did have time to do everything, but definitely keep an eye on your watch. Despite the relatively large crowd, there were plenty of things to do, so lines for activities were short to nonexistent.

Dinner and a Show

The massive show building was breathtaking

The show building, a converted barn, was massive! You are assigned to a large wooden table with bench seating, but not to a specific seat. Chairs with backs are available on request. A wheelchair ramp is provided. We were assigned to table A3, on the left side as we faced the stage. The sight lines are excellent in the building and the stage is raised, making it easy to see from every table. The acoustics were also top-notch.

The emcee came onstage to make a few announcements. When we checked in, we were asked if we were celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Celebrants were called forward in front of the stage to be recognized as a group. After the announcements and celebrations, it was time for dinner.

Dad finally got his chuckwagon dinner

We were extremely impressed by the organization of dinner service. The chuckwagons are set up as serving lines in the kitchen area. Each table is called to the dinner line in order around the room, and a staff member walks the room leading each group into the line. Despite the sheer number of people, there was no wait at all. We grabbed plates and walked through the service area without ever stopping for more than a minute or so.

It was quite a spread!

The food was fantastic! Roast chicken, ribs, potatoes, beans, biscuits and a signature southwestern salad were on the menu. While we were in line, wait staff came around to deposit pitchers of iced tea and lemonade on each table. Coffee was available at the end of the serving line, and a bar was open in the far corner of the building. The staff did a great job of keeping the beverages flowing, topping off or replacing pitchers as they got low. Dessert was served at the table–the apple cobbler a la mode was fresh and luscious.

Of course, in a shared dining environment, your table mates can make or break your experience. We were fortunate to sit across from a couple making their first trip to Alaska the following week. Having visited Alaska two years before, we were able to give them tips and tricks for their vacation.

As dinner wrapped up, the entertainment began. Filled with the perfect blend of humor, cowboy music and drama, the show was truly outstanding. We’re not big fans of country music, but the cowboy tunes were different somehow. The show lasted a full hour, and again the time flew by. I won’t give anything away, but the ending was truly jaw-dropping.

Our Impressions and Tips for Parents

We had a terrific view

I honestly can’t say enough good things about the Blazin’ M. One of the things that struck us the most is how genuinely friendly and professional the entire cast, crew and staff were. It was obvious that they loved both the job and their employers, which speaks volumes about the care that the Mabery family has for their enterprise.

Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are available in the saloon. During the summer, it is still sunny and fairly hot when the gates open, and many of the activities are quite physical. Stop by for drinks before you get started or bring bottled water with you. Sunscreen and a hat are essential to guard against the intense desert sun.

Souvenir shopping is part of the fun

Carry several dollars in cash. Most activities are free, but some do charge a small fee. Set a budget with your kids in advance, as both the activities and the merchandise are eye-catching, and it is easy to lose track of what you are spending.

The doors generally open a few minutes before the 6:30 dinner bell. Stop by the restrooms just outside the show building and then get in line. Since tables are shared, this gives you the best opportunity to get the seats that you want.

About the Author: Lisa is a full-time travel writer. She lives in an RV with her disabled father and writes about their experiences. Although she has no children of her own, Lisa loves being an Aunt to her own relatives and the children of all her friends. You can follow her adventures on her blog, Travel Confessions.