Our Story
Our family would like to introduce you to Willow Tree Ranch. This Ranch has been part of our family for almost 50 years. We are the third generation to own this property, a truly one-of-a-kind location in the Verde Valley.
We have taken great care to prepare our home for you. It is our hope that you find peace and serenity near the water and with the animals. This property is a working ranch and as a result, there are some things you should know to make your vacation the best it can be.
A Brief History of Willow Tree Ranch
Back in the late 1940s, my grandfather, Lute Wasbotten, and grandmother, Marion, brought their family west to establish his drug store and to ride their horses. By the early 1950s, Lute’s Scottsdale Pharmacy was born and so was the city of Scottsdale.
Lute became a civic leader through serving on city council and the Scottsdale Mounted Sheriff’s Posse. Marion spent her time focused on supporting the indigenous peoples in Arizona and making the best sugar cookies anywhere!
A true cowboy, Lute wanted to find a place in the Verde Valley to get away from the hustle and bustle of Scottsdale. During one of their many trips to the area, Lute and Marion found this property, which he affectionately called “The Pad.” It received this nickname based on the concrete pad that existed where the slate patio is today, in between the Mason Ditch and Oak Creek. The only other landmark on the four acres at the time was the decades-old barn at the top of the property.
In the early 1970s, Lute and Marion built a cabin where the current home sits. They enjoyed the property until the early 1980s when my father, Bill, moved to The Pad and established Willow Tree Ranch. Over the years, my father enjoyed horses, goats, cattle, chickens, ducks, raccoons, alpacas, llamas and dogs. The animals became part of the fabric of the Ranch. Of course, he also had javelina, bobcats, snakes, skunks, and other critters, many that still call the area home. Be careful at night!
My father updated the property throughout the years and took great care to create this little piece of heaven on earth.
Over the years, the area has become well known for its vineyards and wineries. Willow Tree Ranch is now nestled not only between the base of House Mountain and Oak Creek on historic Page Springs Road, it celebrates its new neighbors, Page Springs Cellars, Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery, and Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery. New restaurants and other amenities are within a close distance to the Ranch.
My wife and I became the owners of Willow Tree Ranch in 2014. It is our hope that this home where I spent much of my childhood will serve as a retreat for our family and our children’s families for generations to come. And, it is our hope you will feel the same way we do when we are here. There are few places like it.
While You Are Here
During your stay, there are a few people who will be on the property. Our caretaker lives in the guest house, which sits at the north end of the Ranch. He maintains the property when we are not there. Although he is not responsible for the main house, he will continue to maintain the overall property during your stay and is available in case of emergency or if you have questions about the Ranch.
Our dear friends own the alpacas and llamas. They are on the Ranch twice a day to take care of their animals. Although the alpacas and llamas are timid animals, guests should enjoy them at a distance and should not interact with them.
Our other friends, and neighbors, own the property to the west of the Ranch. Sometimes, they need to come down our driveway to enter their property. They will not come to the main house while guests are present. From time to time, they will have Watusi cattle grazing. These Watusi have horns as long as five feet or so. Again, please enjoy them at a distance.
The main house will provide you privacy and serenity even while the Ranch is active. There could be others who walk the edge of Oak Creek from the east of our property to the west along a trail that serves as a wonderful and leisurely nature stroll through riparian habitat, huge cottonwood trees and some of the bluest skies you will ever see. All of the properties are privately owned so please respect the land and any posted signs in the area.
Please feel free to fish in the “fishing hole.” You can find it at the southeast corner of the property where the stone wall edges Oak Creek. You may catch a small sunny or a really big carp. If you want to venture out at night, you may hook a 12-pound catfish like I did when I was a teenager! Well, maybe not. I might have caught them all! Remember, you should obtain a fishing license.
When you want to explore all the Verde Valley has to offer, Cornville is a five-minute drive, Montezuma’s Castle, Cottonwood and Sedona are each 20 minutes away, and Jerome, an old mining town that is a tourist destination is about 30 minutes away (at night, you can see the town’s lights on the side of Mingus Mountain to the west of the property). The Grand Canyon is only a few hours away!
Please let us know if you are interested in staying at Willow Tree Ranch!
Thor and Lisa Wasbotten
We have taken great care to prepare our home for you. It is our hope that you find peace and serenity near the water and with the animals. This property is a working ranch and as a result, there are some things you should know to make your vacation the best it can be.
A Brief History of Willow Tree Ranch
Back in the late 1940s, my grandfather, Lute Wasbotten, and grandmother, Marion, brought their family west to establish his drug store and to ride their horses. By the early 1950s, Lute’s Scottsdale Pharmacy was born and so was the city of Scottsdale.
Lute became a civic leader through serving on city council and the Scottsdale Mounted Sheriff’s Posse. Marion spent her time focused on supporting the indigenous peoples in Arizona and making the best sugar cookies anywhere!
A true cowboy, Lute wanted to find a place in the Verde Valley to get away from the hustle and bustle of Scottsdale. During one of their many trips to the area, Lute and Marion found this property, which he affectionately called “The Pad.” It received this nickname based on the concrete pad that existed where the slate patio is today, in between the Mason Ditch and Oak Creek. The only other landmark on the four acres at the time was the decades-old barn at the top of the property.
In the early 1970s, Lute and Marion built a cabin where the current home sits. They enjoyed the property until the early 1980s when my father, Bill, moved to The Pad and established Willow Tree Ranch. Over the years, my father enjoyed horses, goats, cattle, chickens, ducks, raccoons, alpacas, llamas and dogs. The animals became part of the fabric of the Ranch. Of course, he also had javelina, bobcats, snakes, skunks, and other critters, many that still call the area home. Be careful at night!
My father updated the property throughout the years and took great care to create this little piece of heaven on earth.
Over the years, the area has become well known for its vineyards and wineries. Willow Tree Ranch is now nestled not only between the base of House Mountain and Oak Creek on historic Page Springs Road, it celebrates its new neighbors, Page Springs Cellars, Javelina Leap Vineyard & Winery, and Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery. New restaurants and other amenities are within a close distance to the Ranch.
My wife and I became the owners of Willow Tree Ranch in 2014. It is our hope that this home where I spent much of my childhood will serve as a retreat for our family and our children’s families for generations to come. And, it is our hope you will feel the same way we do when we are here. There are few places like it.
While You Are Here
During your stay, there are a few people who will be on the property. Our caretaker lives in the guest house, which sits at the north end of the Ranch. He maintains the property when we are not there. Although he is not responsible for the main house, he will continue to maintain the overall property during your stay and is available in case of emergency or if you have questions about the Ranch.
Our dear friends own the alpacas and llamas. They are on the Ranch twice a day to take care of their animals. Although the alpacas and llamas are timid animals, guests should enjoy them at a distance and should not interact with them.
Our other friends, and neighbors, own the property to the west of the Ranch. Sometimes, they need to come down our driveway to enter their property. They will not come to the main house while guests are present. From time to time, they will have Watusi cattle grazing. These Watusi have horns as long as five feet or so. Again, please enjoy them at a distance.
The main house will provide you privacy and serenity even while the Ranch is active. There could be others who walk the edge of Oak Creek from the east of our property to the west along a trail that serves as a wonderful and leisurely nature stroll through riparian habitat, huge cottonwood trees and some of the bluest skies you will ever see. All of the properties are privately owned so please respect the land and any posted signs in the area.
Please feel free to fish in the “fishing hole.” You can find it at the southeast corner of the property where the stone wall edges Oak Creek. You may catch a small sunny or a really big carp. If you want to venture out at night, you may hook a 12-pound catfish like I did when I was a teenager! Well, maybe not. I might have caught them all! Remember, you should obtain a fishing license.
When you want to explore all the Verde Valley has to offer, Cornville is a five-minute drive, Montezuma’s Castle, Cottonwood and Sedona are each 20 minutes away, and Jerome, an old mining town that is a tourist destination is about 30 minutes away (at night, you can see the town’s lights on the side of Mingus Mountain to the west of the property). The Grand Canyon is only a few hours away!
Please let us know if you are interested in staying at Willow Tree Ranch!
Thor and Lisa Wasbotten