TUCSON MOUNTAIN GUEST RANCH
Unplug and unwind at Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch where nature meets hospitality
TUCSON MOUNTAIN GUEST RANCH
Unplug and unwind at Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch where nature meets hospitality
About Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch
TUCSON MOUNTAIN GUEST RANCH
Escape to Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch – Where Adventure and Relaxation Meet
At the Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch, you’re not just staying in the desert—you’re immersed in it. With 31 units (some currently undergoing beautiful restoration), our ranch offers the perfect blend of modern comfort and historic charm. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or a peaceful retreat, this is where you’ll find it.
Explore the Best of Tucson Mountain Park: Just steps from your door, you can hike the ranch’s Wash, which leads you directly to the famous Yetman Trailhead in 15 minutes. Or, set off to discover the Bowman Trail—both trails offering breathtaking views and a close encounter with Tucson's unique geological wonders.
Nature at Its Best: Tucson Mountain Park is home to dramatic rock formations, vast desert vistas, and a rich variety of desert wildlife. It’s the perfect destination for hikers, nature lovers, and anyone looking to escape into the beauty of the American Southwest.
After a day of adventure, relax in the comfort of our guest ranch, where you’ll find a peaceful atmosphere, stunning sunsets, and the serene beauty of the desert all around you.
Your next great desert escape starts here.
Book your stay at Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch today!
TUCSON MOUNTAIN GUEST RANCH Formerly Las Lomas
Our History
Situated on a ninety acre tract of rolling foothills in the Tucson Mountains, surrounded by untouched Sonoran Desert and centuries-old saguaros, stands Rancho de las Lomas, a surviving iconic example of Guest Ranch architecture and the most important design achievement of one of America’s first female architects, Margaret Fulton Spencer.
Arriving in Tucson in 1938, Margaret purchased a 190-acre former chicken farm at the edge of the Tucson Mountains. Over the next several years, Spencer designed and oversaw the construction of Rancho de las Lomas. The design and construction was in the architectural tradition of Mary Jane Colter, whose work at the Grand Canyon for the Fred Harvey Company had helped define the regional architecture of the Southwest.
Spencer’s architectural work had been focused on historic preservation and buildings that stylistically blended into their context. In Tucson, she continued this artistic development using local and natural building materials, rocks and sandstone to create a distinct and charming picturesque collection of 16 cottages and guest quarters that would become her architectural masterpiece.
Frank Hildebrand wrote of the buildings for the Tucson Daily Citizen in December 1959:
“The form each took depended on the caprice of the Mexican laborers, for rigid architectural design was ignored in an attempt to invest that ranch with a particularly individualistic atmosphere. Rock was blasted from the mountains for building material. Mrs. Spencer and her two daughters, Margaret and Ann worked alongside laborers laying walls and flagstone.”
In the early years of the ranch, Spencer managed the property, assisted by Mrs. William Neil Smith of New York. The original configuration could accommodate 30 guests in a variety of rooms and suites. During the early 1940s, Las Lomas hosted numerous parties and events. Famous guests including Clark Gable, Hopalong Cassidy, Eleanor Roosevelt and Frank Lloyd Wright. In March of 1943, the Chicago Tribune noted that in the early 1940s the Ranch hosted and was the location of the Geneva College for Women, a progressive women’s school affiliated with Mount Holyoke College previously housed at the Chateau de Bossey in Celigny, Switzerland.
By the mid-1940s the buildings were reconfigured to accommodate 60 guests and spencer leased the property and handed operations first to Theodore C. Capen and then Mr. and Mrs. M.A. Marvin.
After World War II, guest ranches continued to develop and change to meet new market demands. In the post war era, the trappings of the West were all that were needed to create a “guest ranch” destination. The urban “dude ranch” was born and focused more on kitsch than cows, with amenities, location, and the occasional cookout with a faux chuckwagon and cowboy songs under the stars. Although places like Rancho de las Lomas continued to hang on in this new competitive market, the golden age of the dude ranch was coming to an end. Spencer died in 1966 and the property, converted to longer-term rentals, became an artist colony. In 1971 a fire damaged the main house and it was never fully restored.
Sitting on just under 90 acres, this remarkable property has been at high risk for redevelopment. With no preservation easements, no historic designations, and few regulatory options, the future of Margaret Fulton Spencer’s most important architectural work in its undisturbed desert setting has been at risk of being lost forever. - PreserveTucson.org
But here we are, as Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch, we are working to preserve its history as the earth intended.
Who We Are
Our journey of Las Lomas renovation became a mirror reflection of ways we must work on ourselves.
Working with the land and its materials requires our true devotion and commitment to be fully present. It demands our awareness and intuition to be heightened and refined. Its crudeness challenges our patience and perseverance. It requires us to cooperate and work with one another, support and supplement each other. It shows us to be free, creative, and imaginative. It teaches us about the fine use of boundaries, discernment, and solving problems with great ingenuity. And it always reminds us to respect and to be humble. Our journey is our necessary awakening back into what’s been stripped away from our own culture. It reminds us what it is we have been missing to live as humans wholly.
We as a human race have forgotten that the land we live in is a reflection of our inner selves. We have forgotten why disconnection from our land caused us to be disconnected from ourselves. We forgot how working with the land has always fulfilled human souls. We collectively forgot that we are part of the ecosystem and that we are accountable. We must remember that we hold our own ecosystem within as a reflection.
When we stepped into Las Lomas, we experienced a jolt of clarity on what we were destined to do. And what the energy of Las Lomas communicated with us was not only about the land and the magnificent earthen architecture but also about ourselves as a human race. We could feel inside us, the undeniable connection between the state of our society and the state of Las Lomas, clear as day in the blazing sun over the Sonoran desert.
We are here because we are healing ourselves by remembering who we are through the modality of restoring the ranch and reviving the love, inspirations, and visions that birthed its beauty and its bigger-than-life spirit. We are also acknowledging the symbolism in the act of rejuvenating and nourishing parts of our past. What a simple change in perspectives into respect and honor can do to a human being is immeasurable. It has the power to ignite the light within us to result in the metamorphosis of our inner world. Now true inspiration is born from within. We all have the power to inspire and be inspired. It’s always been inside us waiting only to be awakened. And that is what we are here to offer to those who seek this kind of inner healing that is powerful and packed solid with wondrous miracles and potentials just like our ground.
COME EXPERIENCE THE SERENITY OF THE SONORAN DESERT.
Come and Stay With Us!
Visit our Airbnb page to book your stay!
Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch
4500 West Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85745, United States
Follow us on Instagram! @tucsonmountainguestranch
Guest Reviews
Matthieu - Canada
Matthieu - Canada
Matthieu - Canada
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Take a step back from the city an immerse yourself in those inspiring surroundings! Feel the nature like you are a part of it and be ready to travel back in time, in fact to feel like the time has stopped!
Clean and comfy, well equipped, chrming and warming, historical, impression on being alone in accessible as town is near by!
We definitely would love to be back there some day!
Brenda - Texas
Matthieu - Canada
Matthieu - Canada
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nature lovers, history lovers, national park lovers, desert lovers, and solitude seekers - book a stay here!! I cannot say enough amazing things about the hospitable hosts, the peacefulness, and the cozy accommodations. If you are looking for an escape that is minutes away from all that Tucson has to offer this is it! The Ran
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nature lovers, history lovers, national park lovers, desert lovers, and solitude seekers - book a stay here!! I cannot say enough amazing things about the hospitable hosts, the peacefulness, and the cozy accommodations. If you are looking for an escape that is minutes away from all that Tucson has to offer this is it! The Ranch has a wonderful history and I can't wait to stay again and again to see the restoration process unfold.
Katelyn - Texas
Matthieu - Canada
Ervinas - United Statates
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an AMAZING stay. We felt like we got the real Wild West experience without sacrificing any of the modern comforts. We enjoyed sitting on the portch just watching the sunsets and listening to the sounds of the desert. The kitchen had all of the needed amenities, and the bed/furniture were comfortable. The location is
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an AMAZING stay. We felt like we got the real Wild West experience without sacrificing any of the modern comforts. We enjoyed sitting on the portch just watching the sunsets and listening to the sounds of the desert. The kitchen had all of the needed amenities, and the bed/furniture were comfortable. The location is perfect with easy access to both town and attractions such as Old Tucson and The Sonoran Desert Museum. We would hightly recommend this Airbnb to anyone visiting the area!
Ervinas - United Statates
Ervinas - United Statates
Ervinas - United Statates
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spacious beautiful cabin with private backyard and access to the trails to observe the wildlife. Very authentic ghost town feel with all the conveniences you might need! We were enjoying the wooden patio observing desert birds, and coyotes at night! The host was very welcoming helpful and accommodating!
Gladys - California
Ervinas - United Statates
Gladys - California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Definitely a unique experience. Isolated, rustic, and charming, the cabin was accurately described and had all the necessary amenities. I found the stay peaceful and comfortable. It was neat to know we were staying in a place with such a unique history.
Lawrence
Ervinas - United Statates
Gladys - California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a unique, comfortable, clean, and quiet place to stay. As remote as the area seems, it is within a few minute's drive of all necessary amenities. The pool, a short walk from our place was deep, cool, and had breath-taking views of the surrounding desert. There are two bedrooms with two single beds. No television, but th
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a unique, comfortable, clean, and quiet place to stay. As remote as the area seems, it is within a few minute's drive of all necessary amenities. The pool, a short walk from our place was deep, cool, and had breath-taking views of the surrounding desert. There are two bedrooms with two single beds. No television, but that was expected. AC worked great in the kitchen, living area and downstairs bedroom. The upstairs bedroom was a little warmer but had a good rotating fan to help. There is a large fridge and smaller freezer, sink, coffee maker, and electric cooktop, so making meals was easy. This was a really nice stay and great value for the price and truly historical and unique location.
Experiences around Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch
Bowen House Ruins via Camino de Oeste Trailhead and Yetman Trail
Bowen House Ruins via Camino de Oeste Trailhead and Yetman Trail
Bowen House Ruins via Camino de Oeste Trailhead and Yetman Trail
Just behind our Cowboy Cabin leads a wash into the Yetman Trail. In a couple of hours, you would reach the Bowen House.
Set in a peaceful desert valley, the remaining stone walls of this 1930s ranch house in the Tucson Mountains remind passing hikers of the challenges of a bygone era.
Ask us about how you can find your trail into another historic site just like our ranch!
Gates Pass
Bowen House Ruins via Camino de Oeste Trailhead and Yetman Trail
Bowen House Ruins via Camino de Oeste Trailhead and Yetman Trail
Just behind our Ranch,
Warm night air, the scent of orange blossoms, stirring sunsets, dark starry skies—we don't advertise it, but these are some of the things that keep residents in Tucson year-round. Enjoy dusky moments at any of our city parks, Gates Pass on W. Speedway Blvd., "A" Mountain, the Santa Catalina foothills—or explore and f
Just behind our Ranch,
Warm night air, the scent of orange blossoms, stirring sunsets, dark starry skies—we don't advertise it, but these are some of the things that keep residents in Tucson year-round. Enjoy dusky moments at any of our city parks, Gates Pass on W. Speedway Blvd., "A" Mountain, the Santa Catalina foothills—or explore and find your own spot. Tucson is one of the winners of the Best Place to Watch a Sunset category in 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest sponsored by USA TODAY. See and share the full list of winners at
Gates Pass Rd, Tucson, AZ 85745
Old Tucson
Bowen House Ruins via Camino de Oeste Trailhead and Yetman Trail
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Just 10 minutes away from the ranch, Old Tucson is Arizona’s premier Western Amusement Park, Movie Studio, and Events Center. Located 25 minutes outside downtown Tucson, the park is nestled between the beautiful Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. Since 1939, Old Tucson has been the production site for over 500 western films a
Just 10 minutes away from the ranch, Old Tucson is Arizona’s premier Western Amusement Park, Movie Studio, and Events Center. Located 25 minutes outside downtown Tucson, the park is nestled between the beautiful Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park. Since 1939, Old Tucson has been the production site for over 500 western films and TV shows. Old Tucson preserves the significance of the production studio, while offering its visitors guided tours, seasonal events, attractions, live shows, restaurants, and retail outlets.
- 201 S. Kinney Rd.Tucson, AZ 85735
- (520)883-0100
- oldtucson.com
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Mission San Xavier del Bac
A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.
The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place
A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.
The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.
Location
1950 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ 85746
Sonora Desert Museum
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Sonora Desert Museum
Just 13 minues from us,
The renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is everything you could want in a Sonoran Desert adventure! Mostly outdoors and comprised of an AZA-accredited zoo, extensive botanical garden, two art galleries, and a natural history museum, the Desert Museum sits on 98 acres of pristine desert landscape. The Museum showca
Just 13 minues from us,
The renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is everything you could want in a Sonoran Desert adventure! Mostly outdoors and comprised of an AZA-accredited zoo, extensive botanical garden, two art galleries, and a natural history museum, the Desert Museum sits on 98 acres of pristine desert landscape. The Museum showcases the diverse flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert region (with over 55,000 plants!) featuring wildlife such as coyotes, javelinas, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep in naturalistic habitats. Bird lovers delight in visiting the Museum's two aviaries, one dedicated to hummingbirds! Kids love the interactive Packrat Playhouse and Stingray Touch exhibits, learning to appreciate our unique environment from a young age. The Museum's gift shops offer a bounty of books, jewelry, crafts, and more. This family-friendly establishment offers something for everyone!
2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743
Mt. Lemon
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Sonora Desert Museum
Summerhaven is named very appropriately considering how many Tucsonans and visitors escape there from the summer heat and to enjoy skiing in the winter. Summerhaven sits at 8,200 feet elevation, approximately 1,000 feet below the peak of Mt. Lemmon, approximately 29 miles north of Tucson. Numerous recreational amenities are offered on the
Summerhaven is named very appropriately considering how many Tucsonans and visitors escape there from the summer heat and to enjoy skiing in the winter. Summerhaven sits at 8,200 feet elevation, approximately 1,000 feet below the peak of Mt. Lemmon, approximately 29 miles north of Tucson. Numerous recreational amenities are offered on the mountain, including hiking, camping, fishing, birding, skiing, sledding and rock climbing. Mt. Lemmon’s Ski Valley provides skiing from December into March. The University of Arizona’s Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter offers unique astronomy camps for kids and adults. Go to: www.mtlemmon.com/summerhaven
SIGNAL HILL PETROGLYPHS SITE
SIGNAL HILL PETROGLYPHS SITE
SIGNAL HILL PETROGLYPHS SITE
Signal Hill petroglyphs site is located in the Saguaro National Park West. There are dozens of images viewable from a short trail and viewing area. Look at the images up to the left as you start to climb the trail, they are commonly missed.
A large spiral image, a favorite among photographers, is at the viewing area on top of the hill. The
Signal Hill petroglyphs site is located in the Saguaro National Park West. There are dozens of images viewable from a short trail and viewing area. Look at the images up to the left as you start to climb the trail, they are commonly missed.
A large spiral image, a favorite among photographers, is at the viewing area on top of the hill. The panoramic view of Wasson Peak and Sombrero Peak over an incredibly dense Saguaro forest is incredible.
SIGNAL HILL PETROGLYPHS SITE
Signal Hill Rd
Tucson, AZ 85743
Saguaro National Park West
520-733-5158
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