A. The Arizona dude ranch heritage trail program is established in the Arizona state parks board to serve as a guide to working dude ranches in this state.

B. The Arizona state parks board shall designate a dude ranch for inclusion in the Arizona dude ranch heritage trail program if all of the following apply:

1. The owner of the dude ranch applies to the Arizona state parks board in a manner determined by the Arizona state parks board.

2. The dude ranch has been in business for at least twenty-five years.

3. The dude ranch consists of at least one thousand contiguous acres that are any of the following:

(a) Private property adjacent to the headquarters.

(b) Leased property adjacent to the headquarters. For the purposes of this subdivision, the lease agreement may be for private or public real property and must be in writing and include riding rights.

(c) Public land that is subject to a riding permit.

4. The dude ranch provides recreational activities that include horseback riding, hiking, biking or a working cattle ranch experience for guests.

5. The dude ranch has an organized and supervised horse program on the property with a horse herd that consists of a number of horses that is equal to or greater than the total number of guest accommodations during the operating season in which guests are present.

6. The dude ranch uses at least one permanent structure that has running water, sewage disposal and a kitchen.

7. The dude ranch provides guests with three meals each day as part of the dude ranch’s primary package, commonly referred to as the "American plan".

8. The dude ranch includes the word "ranch" or "rancho" in the ranch’s name.

C. The Arizona state parks board shall make a determination on the designation within thirty days after receiving an application pursuant to this section.

D. The Arizona state parks board in cooperation with the largest dude ranch or guest ranch association in this state shall develop indicia and signage that ranches may use to identify and promote the Arizona heritage ranch designation. The applicant shall pay for the cost of designing and creating the plaque.

E. The Arizona state parks board shall allow additions or modifications to a dude ranch with designation as an Arizona heritage ranch if the original character of the dude ranch is preserved.

F. The Arizona dude ranch heritage trail shall consist of dude ranches that are designated as an Arizona heritage ranch pursuant to this section.

G. At the request of a dude ranch that is designated for inclusion in the Arizona dude ranch heritage trail program pursuant to subsection B of this section, the Arizona historical society, in cooperation with the Arizona state parks board and the largest dude ranch or guest ranch association in this state, shall issue a historical marker for the dude ranch within two years after the request.