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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, the preserve straddles the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. The plant diversity ranges from giant Saguaro cactus to Ponderosa pine forest, and contains miles of intact native fish and riparian habitats. Elevation at the preserve is around 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.
Each unit is fully equipped containing bath, kitchen, furnishings and linens. Natural hot springs exclusively for casita guests, and the McMurray commons can be rented for group use. For photos and rate information, take a peek inside with this slideshow.
Overnight guests enjoy a visitor center, more than 22 miles of hiking trails and loops, unlimited exploring, soaking in the hot springs, star gazing and watching some of the more than 180 bird species recorded here.
Planning Your Visit
Muleshoe Ranch CMA is jointly owned and managed by the Conservancy, Coronado National Forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 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 riparian habitats.
In only one year after a 4,000 acres treatment area burned, perennial grasses increased to 45% and shrub cover decreased to 9%. Successive photos of burn units reveals signs of a restored grassland - 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. Learn more about Muleshoe Ranch CMA.
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, three years and older. The Headquarters is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Guests may check in between 3 p.m. and 5 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 at the HQ.
The commons may be rented for groups for $90 per night and includes lodging, use of group cooking, dining area and hot springs. A damage deposit of $100 is required. Group deposit will not be transferred or refunded unless cancelled 45 days prior to reservation.
No camping at headquarters/guest facilities.
Families with children are welcome to reserve the Stone Cabin at the visitor center. Lodging in the courtyard is for adults only unless families with children rent the entire facilities. Please call for current hours of operation and children policy.
A 50% 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 per horse per night.
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.
MRCMA: "What do you like best about lodging facilities?"
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Can't believe how peaceful it is out here! Has all the amenities of a home, privacy, shower.
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Tasteful with lots of atmosphere.
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Clean and comfortable, modern plumbing. No TV's or phones is nice.
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The sun in the morning, the space, the tiles, access to wilderness.
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The well equipped kitchen and the overall cleanliness of the room & the grounds.
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Simple, clean, nicely furnished. View out the window.
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The isolation, that the cabin is equipped with everything we need for a relaxing special occasion get away.
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Astronomy (great night sky here)
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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.
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Lovingly furnished. Immaculate. Excellently equipped kitchen. Fluffy towels. Actually we liked everything.
MRCMA: "Will you return?"
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Yes; is a beautiful area to get our annual desert fix!
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Yes; beautiful place, not enough time to see it all.
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Yes; Can't believe how peaceful it is out here!
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Yes; Great place and staff.
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Yes; It's the perfect de-stressor environment, especially with the hot springs!
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Yes; great place to relax & escape civilization for a while.
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Yes; hot springs, isolation, hiking, friendly
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Yes; fascination country, beautiful setting, helpful staff, wonderful natural history
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Yes; we love it here!
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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
Nature picture credits (top, left to right): View from Courtyard © The Nature Conservancy; Black-chinned Hummingbird in Creek © Bob Griffith.
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