The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

View to hills from the balcony dining area at Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area, a mosaic of public and private land that encompasses most of the watershed area for seven permanently flowing streams and containing unique aquatic and riparian habitat that supports varied and endangered species, Arizona. © TNC

Want more? Download a brochure and view a slideshow.

It's a peaceful and remote escape nestled far off the highway in southeastern Arizona's Galiuro Mountains. On 49,120 acres of rugged semi-desert grasslands, Muleshoe Ranch straddles the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. Streams that begin high in the ponderosa pine forest cross the Muleshoe Ranch and carve canyons into saguaro-studded hillsides, providing habitat for native fishes and other streamside species. Elevation at the preserve headquarters is 4,100 feet.

What Are the Accommodations Like?

Ideal for individuals, families, or groups looking for a scenic retreat, the five charming, housekeeping units are original and renovated historic buildings dating from the late 1800s. Four of these units border a garden courtyard, while the fifth stands alone near the start of the nature trail. Each unit has a private bathroom and kitchen and is fully furnished with linens and kitchenware.

Nearby, natural hot springs fill tubs for exclusive use by overnight guests. Also on the courtyard, the McMurray Commons features a multi-use room, a sitting room with fireplace and a kitchen. Guests are welcome to enjoy this facility; please note that use of the kitchen is only available for rent by groups. Download a brochure for more information, including rates. You can also take a peek inside with this slideshow.

While headquarters offers the comforts of home, a visitor center and soaking in the hot springs, you will be surrounded by thousands of acres of scenic wild lands. At your doorstep the opportunities for exploration are endless, with more than 22 miles of hiking trails and loops, canyons teeming with wildlife (over 180 bird species have been recorded here!) and dark skies for star-gazing. 

Planning Your Visit

Muleshoe Ranch CMA is jointly owned and managed by the Conservancy, Coronado National Forest and Bureau of Land Management. In 1992 the Conservancy began an ecosystem restoration project in cooperation with the BLM. Conservancy scientists designed a program of grazing rest and prescribed burning with two goals in mind: Restore perennial grasses and reduce shrub cover, and protect the ranch's seven perennial streams that contain some of Arizona's best native fish and streamside habitats.

In only one year after a 4,000-acre treatment area burned, perennial grasses increased to 45 percent and shrub cover decreased to 9 percent. Successive photos of burn units reveal signs of grassland restoration - far fewer shrubs, increased native grasses including a flush of side oats gramma, one of the prized rangeland grasses that made southern Arizona such an attractive place to settlers 150 years ago.

The Muleshoe Ecosystem Project demonstrates how sound science and strong partnerships with public agencies can restore large landscapes for species such as pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, grassland birds, native fish and lowland leopard frog. 

Lodging Policies & Notices

All rates are listed as double occupancy. For each additional guest three years and older there is an $35 per person per night charge. The Headquarters is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Guests may check in between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Prior arrangements can be made for late arrivals. Check-out time is 11 a.m..

Two-night minimum stay is required, September through May. A three-night minimum stay is required on holiday weekends. Use of the hot springs are for overnight lodging guests only. 

The commons may be rented by groups for $100 per night and includes use of group kitchen and dining area. A damage deposit of $100 is required. Group deposit will not be transferred or refunded unless cancelled 45 days prior to reservation.

There is no camping allowed at headquarters and guest facilities.

Families with children are welcome to reserve the Stone Cabin. Lodging in the courtyard casitas is for adults only unless families with children rent the entire facility. Please call for current hours of operation and child policy.

A 50 percent deposit is required on all reservations and must be received no later than one week from the date the reservation is made. Cash, travelers checks, Discover, Mastercard, Visa and American Express accepted.

Pets are not permitted at the headquarters or in the casitas or cabins. However, horse corrals are available for casita guests wanting to bring their own horse(s) for a nominal fee.

Cancellations and Refunds: If you must cancel a reservation your deposit (less a $40 processing fee) will be refunded only if we are notified 30 days or more (45 days or more for groups) prior to arrival. If you cancel 14 days prior to arrival, we will transfer your deposit to another date one time only. Cancellations received less than 14 days prior to arrival are non-refundable and non-transferable. Guests are responsible for payment of all nights rented, regardless of actual arrival or departure date.

Prices subject to change without notice.

Guest Comments

Here is what some of our guests had to say.

"What do you like best about lodging facilities?"

• Can't believe how peaceful it is out here! Has all the amenities of a home, privacy, shower.
• Tasteful with lots of atmosphere.
• Clean and comfortable, modern plumbing. No TV's or phones is nice.
• The sun in the morning, the space, the tiles, access to wilderness.
• The well equipped kitchen and the overall cleanliness of the room & the grounds.
• Simple, clean, nicely furnished. View out the window.
• The isolation, that the cabin is equipped with everything we need for a relaxing special occasion get away.
• Astronomy (great night sky here)
• That the facilities are limited so that the number of guests is also limited. The setting and hot tub! The spacious rooms, comfortable chairs, sofas, & bed. Complete kitchen & cookware.
• Lovingly furnished. Immaculate. Excellently equipped kitchen. Fluffy towels. Actually we liked everything.

"Will you return?"

• Yes; is a beautiful area to get our annual desert fix!
• Yes; beautiful place, not enough time to see it all.
• Yes; Can't believe how peaceful it is out here!
• Yes; Great place and staff.
• Yes; It's the perfect de-stressor environment, especially with the hot springs!
• Yes; great place to relax & escape civilization for a while.
• Yes; hot springs, isolation, hiking, friendly
• Yes; fascination country, beautiful setting, helpful staff, wonderful natural history
• Yes; we love it here!
• After two days at the Stone Cabin we feel refreshed and ready to tackle that other world again. It's been fun to see our first coati in the wild, be "rattled" at by a resting diamondback (thanks for the warning!), and enjoy the solitude and beauty of this gentle place. Looking forward to a return visit!

Questions?

(520) 212-4295 or muleshoe@tnc.org