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Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters is located in the Santa Rita Mountains near Sonoita, Arizona in the Coronado National Forest. The five adobe buildings originally served as headquarters for the Santa Rita Water and Mining Company from 1902 to 1906. The facility also served as a cattle ranch from the 1920s through the 1960s. The Forest Service acquired the land in 1989 and it has since become an ideal location for guests seeking a unique lodging experience, rich in mining and ranching history.
For a more detailed look at Kentucky Camp's history and facilities, please click [here](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Farcg.is%2F0v0eGD&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf3a90fe4441a451eb3ca08d85e482142%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637363011168015879&sdata=tRb%2ByocPdLNFSZCOWdLp8pwAwY%2F75D0fJdItiElKsAE%3D&reserved=0)
The area has popular hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails which range from gentle walking paths, to steep, strenuous trails leading to the top of 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson and other nearby peaks. The Arizona Trail runs through Kentucky Camp. Two-track and dirt roads are available for off-highway vehicle travel around Kentucky Camp; however, off-highway vehicles may not be ridden within the site's boundaries. Birders congregate in southeastern Arizona as it is touted as one of the country's most revered birding areas. With fifteen species of hummingbirds, 36 species of wood warblers, and over 256 documented bird species, the area is a birder's paradise.
This facility consists of a cabin and headquarters building. The cabin can accommodate up to five people, and is equipped with two twin beds, a twin bunkbed and a full-sized futon. The kitchen has basic amenities including a small refrigerator, microwave, hot plate, coffee pot, dishes, utensils, cookware, and a table and chairs. The cabin has propane heat. Outside, there is a grill and picnic table for outdoor dining. A vault toilet, stall for solar showers, and an outdoor sink are located on site. The cabin has electricity, but no indoor running water. Guests must bring their own food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags.
Spanning four life zones and several ecosystems between the Sonoran desert and the "Sky Island" mountain peaks, the area surrounding the camp and cabin supports abundant and biologically diverse plant and animal communities. Mountain peaks, high desert grasslands, and seasonal streams provide diverse habitat for the area's abundant wildlife. White-tailed and mule deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, and squirrels are commonly seen, along with numerous bird species. While black bear, Coati, foxes, ring-tailed cats, bobcats and mountain lions are more elusive.
Numerous attractions are available nearby in Madera Canyon. Attractions within a one-hour drive include the Mining Museum, Titan Missile Museum, Whipple Observatory, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, San Xavier Mission, the Amerind Foundation, and Tumacacori National Historical Park.
From Tucson, take I-10 east to Exit #281 (Highway 83 - Sonoita/Patagonia). Travel south on Highway 83 for approximately 21 miles to the signed turnoff for Gardner Canyon Road. Turn right on Gardner Canyon Road and continue 0.9 mile to Forest Service Road 163. Turn right on Forest Service Road 163 and continue approximately 5 miles to the entrance to Kentucky Camp. Stay to the left and continue to the parking lot and gate that marks the entrance to Kentucky Camp. There are signs to Kentucky Camp from Highway 83.
Old restored Farm and mining camp. Lot of very interesting history. Great work done by volunteers to fix up the old buildings to where one could even rent one of the old Adobe structures.
We spent a couple nights at the Bed and No Breakfast Inn at Kentucky Camp in early September 2017. Wonderful place! Great hiking nearby, lots of history and pretty well preserved for a ghost town. Hats of to the Friends of Kentucky Camp for all they do!
Great place to go for cheap. Great view, and it's right on the Arizona Trail and it's got a wonderful view. Nice and small cabin, with 3 rooms all made from adobe. If you can get past the bugs, it's a nice piece of history.
Great little cabin with hiking and exploring nearby. The cabin sleeps four and there is an outhouse and open air kitchen outside. No running water inside,but a hose and faucets outside The cabin does have power, and included a refrigerator and fan when we stayed.
