The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Historic Empire Ranch in southern Arizona is a working ranch that has been raising livestock like sheep and cattle for over 140 years. Originally named just Empire Ranch, the ranch once spanned over 180 square miles at its peak and was owned and operated by Walter L. Vail, a leader that established the cattle industry in southern Arizona during the last quarter of the 1800s. Later on, as the ranch diminished in size and popularity, it was sold to different companies who filmed Western movies during the 1950s with actors such as John Wayne, Gregory Peck, and Steve McQueen. However, in the 1980s, the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) purchased the ranch and began to work on restoring and preserving the original buildings that were a part of the ranch's previous operations.
Today, the BLM still owns the Empire Ranch, and the site has been upgraded to Historic Empire Ranch since it was added to the national registry of historic places in 1976. Today, the ranch remains open to the public for touring and visiting from sunup to sundown, and visitors are encouraged to take self-guided interpretive hikes at the ranch, view the surrounding wildlife, and go horseback riding.
If you'd like to see the native ocotillo plants in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, be sure to check out the Ocotillo Trail that extends off the Foothills Loop Trail. The path takes a trip up a gentle but steady elevation rise.
Length: 3.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
For a challenging hike, take the Agua Caliente Hill Trail, which follows a steep path up to the peak of a scenic hill at a high elevation.
Length: 8.8 miles
Intensity: Difficult
For hiking on a paved trail, take the Cañada del Oro River Park Trail, which weaves through the suburbs of Tucson.
Length: 11 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Historic Empire Ranch has undergone five changes of ownership since it was established in 1876, and visitors to the ranch today can see evidence of each owner's presence by touring the grounds. Perhaps most popular at the ranch, though, is touring the original Empire Ranch House, a house first made with hand-cast adobe bricks in the late 1800s, which was later expanded with over 28 rooms. Also available with interpretive signs for touring are the Adobe Haybarn, Grove House, Hired Man's House, Huachuca House, Mechanic's Shop and Feed Barn, New Ranch House, South Barn, Stone Corral, Tack Room, and Wind Mill.
The Historic Empire Ranch sits on the vast Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, which is full of wildlife that call the unique cienegas habitat, or desert marsh habitat, their home. Some species that roam the area include the pronghorn antelope, black-tailed prairie dog, yellow-billed cuckoo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Chiricahua leopard frog, and Gila topminnow in the creeks and streams. At the ranch, cattle and sheep are still often kept in enclosed areas as well. Additionally, grasslands surrounding the ranch include native vegetation like cottonwoods and mesquite trees.
While eating and drinking may not be allowed inside of the buildings at the Historic Empire Ranch, you are permitted to picnic outside. You can eat on benches or bring your own folding chairs to use, or you may want to bring a blanket to sit on in the wide grass fields. Wherever you choose to picnic at the ranch, be sure to bring your own trash bags since there is no trash pickup at the ranch, and do not leave any leftovers behind on the ground as this can disturb the natural environment.
One great local place for RV camping is Mountain View RV Park, which has free Wi-Fi and full hookups in a pet-friendly environment. You may also like the Benson KOA Journey with a pool, hot tub, free Wi-Fi, and hookups plus cable.
If you are looking for a Bureau of Land Management free camping option, there are a few near Historic Empire Ranch. Cienguita Campground is one option that has plenty of campsites large enough to accommodate RVs and requires no fees for stays up to 14 days at a time. Another one of the nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds is the open campsites at Garden Canyon, which offers the same primitive camping options. It should be noted, though, that no dispersed camping is allowed at the Historic Empire Ranch or within the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. For other nearby options, search "BLM camping near me" once you're in the area.
When you plan on visiting the Historic Empire Ranch, be sure to wear light clothing and sunscreen since there is no shade at the ranch, and the temperatures can be quite hot year-round. Packing lots of drinking water for your visit is important too.
If you plan on camping at a nearby primitive BLM campground, be sure to pack all the essentials that you will need since towns and stores can be quite a drive away. You will need to pack water for drinking and for washing plus non-electric equipment, like battery-operated fans and heaters, to keep comfortable during your stay. However, primitive camping is the best way to get a front-row seat to being in the natural environment. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Historic Empire Ranch visitors are required to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace policy rules at all times. These rules are easy to follow, though, and include tasks like picking up your trash, leaving artifacts where they belong, and being courteous to other visitors.
To reach Historic Empire Ranch from Tucson, Arizona, take exit 281 off of I-10 E. From there, take AZ-83 S for 18 miles; then, turn east on LC 900 and continue for three miles before reaching the ranch's entrance.
Ready to visit Historic Empire Ranch? 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 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.
