The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Fairbank Historic Townsite was once a booming Wild West town. The settlement grew with the arrival of the railroad in the 19th century. The claim to fame of Fairbank was its proximity to the legendary settlement of Tombstone. Fairbank fell into the realm of a ghost town in 1901 when the owners of the city evicted potential landowners in favor of maintaining the railroad depot. The settlement is part of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The historic town site is open to the public and is 100 miles south of the Petrified Forest National Park.
The Bureau of Land Management took control of the Fairbank Historic Townsite in 1986 and continues to control the area. The federal agency is tasked with preserving the natural beauty of lands owned by the US government. Bureau of Land Management camping opportunities are available at almost every site managed by the BLM. Paid Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are also an option. Other options include the use of Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities for primitive and dispersed campsites.
Exploring the ghost town of Fairbank can be difficult on a busy day. To see some of the less well-known areas at the site, you can use the Fairbank Loop via San Pedro Trail. This flat trail takes under two hours to complete and takes you past several abandoned buildings. An abandoned cemetery adds to the mood of the ghost town of Fairbank.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Easy
This is another easy-to-navigate trail that allows hikers to explore the history of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The abandoned ghost town of Millville has turned to ruins, with signs pointing to areas of interest. The petroglyphs provide more interest for hikers and mountain bike riders.
Length: 1.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Fairbank Historic Townsite is located in the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The area is protected by the US government, with fishing controlled by the Arizona Department of Natural Resources. The San Pedro River is home to 14 species of fish, including some endangered species. Species that you can catch include round tail chub and speckled dace.
The San Pedro River basin offers excellent climbing opportunities on its granite cliff walls. The San Pedro Wall offers a difficult climb to enjoy some excellent views across the Arizona-Mexico border.
The San Pedro River Basin runs through the Chihuahua Desert yet offers impressive wildlife viewing. The extensive range of mammals found at the Fairbank Historic Townsite include jaguars and bats. Close to the river, RVers will find beaver and coatimundi. The wetland areas are home to plenty of reptiles and amphibians, including the Sonoran tiger salamander. Over 250 species of migrating birds use the waters of the San Pedro River on their journey to breeding areas.
Fairbank Historic Townsite contains plenty of picnic tables for visitors to enjoy during their stay. The site is a popular spot for families visiting this area of Arizona.
The area around Fairbank Historic Townsite has been occupied by people for more than 13,000 years. Exploring the history of Fairbank is the top activity in the area. Hiking out of Fairbank along the San Pedro River basin allows visitors to explore petroglyphs and search for artifacts. Remember, however, that it is against federal law to remove artifacts over 50 years old when taking advantage of BLM camping sites.
Fairbank Historic Townsite does not have a dedicated campground for RV drivers or tent owners. However, the city of Tucson is located 20 miles north of Fairbank and offers plenty of RV park options. The Prince of Tucson RV Park offers all the amenities the modern RV driver could want. Free Wi-Fi is available, along with 176 campsites with hookups. Shower blocks, picnic tables, and a clubhouse enhance any stay in the Tucson region. Another option is Crazy Horse RV Campgrounds. RV camping at this location provides RV drivers with all the options needed to enjoy a trip to Fairbank Historic Townsite.
Spending some time exploring the Fairbank Historic Townsite can inspire visitors to stay overnight at the abandoned ghost town. Dispersed and primitive Bureau of Land Management free camping is available. There are no amenities, and campers need to abide by the rules of the federal agency. All campers spending the night at Fairbank Historic Townsite are governed by the Leave No Trace principles of BLM RV camping.
Fairbank Historic Townsite is located in an isolated region close to the Mexican border. Fairbank has no stores or gas stations, meaning that RV drivers need to be prepared for their trip to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. It is easy to stock up on supplies in Tucson before heading south to Fairbank, however.
The nights can be cold in the San Pedro River Basin, with daytime temperatures climbing high throughout the year. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The goal of the Bureau of Land Management is to limit human damage to the sites they manage. The Fairbank Historic Townsite is no different. The ghost town should be left in the best condition possible by visitors. Removing all trash and camping equipment at the end of a trip is the best option for protecting the site from human damage.
To reach Fairbank Historic Townsite, follow I-10 from Tuscon to exit 302. Follow AZ-90S to AZ-82E. The Fairbank Historic Townsite is signed from the highway.
Ready to visit Fairbank Historic Townsite? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
