Joshua Tree Ostrich Ranch

I never expected to see an ostrich ranch in our little town...

I was surprised and shocked to learn that we have an ostrich ranch right here in our little desert town of Dolan Springs, Arizona. My friend and neighbor asked if I had seen the signs posted around town, she was just as surprised as I. No, I hadn't seen any signs for an ostrich ranch. I guess I should get out more!

So, I got directions to the ranch and paid them a visit. The place is easy to find and not far in from the main road. Once there, you can lose track of time and forget you're in the middle of the desert.

all photos and videos by Candy Dorsey except those provided by Amazon

Entrance to the Ranch - It's a big sign easily visible from the road

Joshua Tree Ostrich Ranch

Meet the Ostriches

How To Attract a Mate...or

Showing off for the humans

Gorgeous George

The male ostrich will flap his wings to get the attention of a female ostrich, he will then rotate his head in a spiral motion until she shows interest. Ostriches raised solely in a human environment will perform this 'dancing' ritual simply to get the attention of his humans. Here is a video of Gorgeous George doing just that!

Did You Know?

Ostriches have two toes
An adult male weighs between 250 and 300 lbs.
One ostrich egg is equivalent to 16 to 20 chicken eggs
An ostrich can run at 40 mph
Their average life span is 30 to 40 years
The ostrich has the largest eye of any land animal, almost 2 inches across
Ostrich is the only bird with a bladder

Male Ostrich

Ostriches in Print


Ostrich (A Day in the Life: Grassland... ~~$9.94~~ $6.2 View on Amazon	Ostriches (Safari Animals) Only $5.0 View on Amazon	Ostriches (Animals That Live in the G... Only $75.0 View on Amazon

Mary, Jesus and Noel

Christmas Trio

This lovable trio arrived at the ranch on Christmas Eve and are aptly named for the event. They are happiest when humans are paying attention to them, I was able to get up close to feed and pet them. You can too!

Mary, Jesus and Noel

While you're in Dolan Springs and after you've visited the Joshua Tree Ostrich Ranch, stop by and visit with the horses at the rescue haven.

C Bar J Horse Haven Rescue

A safe place for neglected, abused and forgotten horses and an occasional guest donkey.

Chicks in the Pen

At the time I visited the ranch there were several young ostriches in the pen, maybe the pen will be full when you visit. I hope so! They are...too cute!

Young Ostrich in the Pen

Stay Overnight

In the beautiful guest house

When you've become weary of driving and are looking for a place to spend the night, this is it! The Joshua Tree Ostrich Ranch has a lovely guest house for vacation rentals. The price is reasonable too. Take a peek at the inside.

Guest House Kitchen

Guest House Bedroom

Gift Shop

Visitors can sit in a quiet shaded area outside the gift shop and enjoy the view. Inside you can do some shopping to satisfy all your ostrich passions. Coffee mugs, hats, tee shirts, feathers and ostrich eggs! Ostrich Hand and Body Lotions and Oils are also available, they come scented or unscented. I sampled a dab of the unscented lotion, it went on smooth and wasn't oily at all.

The gift shop is still a work in progress with lots more items on the way.

The Gift Shop

Locals and Tourists

For those of you on vacation visiting Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon or the Hoover Dam add The Joshua Tree Ostrich Ranch to your itinerary...you'll be so glad you did!

To all you locals...Dolan, Meadview, Chloride, Golden Valley, etc., make it a 'must see'.

Where Is It and How Do I Get There?

That's easy!

Joshua Tree Ostrich Ranch

17401 N. Merry Drive

Dolan Springs, AZ 86441

Phone: 480-244-3772

Email: [email protected]

Call or email in advance to make an appointment to tour the ranch!

From Las Vegas Nevada or Kingman Arizona, take Route 93 to Pierce Ferry Road. Head east on Pierce Ferry through Dolan Springs until you get to 17^th Street. Turn right on 17^th then right again on Merry Drive. The ranch is about 1,000 feet in on the right side.

Click to enlarge map

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Updated: 01/21/2017, candy47

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candy47 on 06/30/2016

I've been there a few times, it's always fascinating!

Susan on 06/30/2016

What a great place this would be to visit! Ostriches are such fascinating creatures.

candy47 on 06/30/2016

It is fun Lorelei. The ostriches are friendly and playful and the little ones are so cute.

candy47 on 06/30/2016

Thanks Nancy. Hope to see the two of you soon!

Lorelei on 06/30/2016

I love the sign to the ranch that is so cute. What a fun place it would be to visit.

Nancy Carol Brown Hardin on 06/29/2016

Oh I'd love to go! I'm sending a copy of this article to my partner and I hope she sees it as a great get-away for us. Thanks Candy, love the article.

candy47 on 12/27/2015

Oh yes CherylsArt, the ostriches love to interact with humans!

candy47 on 10/24/2015

It was a real treat for me to get up close and personal with ostriches!