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!
Heaven
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. - Preserve-Tucson.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 restoring Las Lomas became a mirror — reflecting the very ways we must work on ourselves.
Working with the land and its raw materials calls for devotion, presence, and patience. It asks us to heighten our awareness, to listen deeply, and to meet challenges with creativity and perseverance. The land teaches us cooperation — how to support and complement one another, to build through respect and shared effort. It reminds us to stay humble, to honor boundaries, and to approach every problem with curiosity and ingenuity.
This process has become a kind of awakening — a return to something essential that has been lost in modern life. We are remembering what it means to live as whole human beings. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that the land we live on reflects the landscape within us. Disconnection from the earth led to disconnection from ourselves. Yet when we work with the land, when we restore and tend to it with care, our own spirits are restored too. We remember that we are part of the ecosystem — responsible, interwoven, and alive.
When we first stepped onto Las Lomas, we felt a clear jolt of recognition. The energy of this place spoke to us — not only about the beauty of its earthen walls and desert expanse, but about humanity itself. The state of the land mirrored the state of our world: resilient, weathered, and waiting to be reawakened beneath the blazing Sonoran sun.
We are here because we are healing ourselves through the act of restoration — reviving the love, inspiration, and vision that first gave this ranch life. To honor and nurture what was once neglected is a profound act of remembrance. A simple shift in perspective toward respect and reverence can transform the human spirit. It can ignite a quiet light within, sparking a metamorphosis of the inner world.
True inspiration, we’ve found, doesn’t come from outside us. It’s born from within — from the same ground that holds the roots of this place. Every one of us carries that same potential: to inspire and be inspired, to awaken what has always been alive inside. That is what we are here to share — a living invitation to rediscover the beauty, humility, and healing power that exist within and all around us.
– Tucson Mountain Guest Ranch
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
Guest Reviews
Brenda - Texas
Katelyn - Texas
Katelyn - Texas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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
Katelyn - Texas
Katelyn - Texas
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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 porch 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 p
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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 porch 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 highly recommend this Air bnb to anyone visiting the area!
Joy - MO
Katelyn - Texas
Joy - MO
My 3rd stay at the ranch and my 2nd in this Casita. Coming again in 2 months and I will be returning any chance I get. I am constantly awed and grateful for every big and little gesture of kindness and care by the wonderful team of hosts. The many well thought out aesthetic touches and comforting vignettes make my heart happy!Most signifi
My 3rd stay at the ranch and my 2nd in this Casita. Coming again in 2 months and I will be returning any chance I get. I am constantly awed and grateful for every big and little gesture of kindness and care by the wonderful team of hosts. The many well thought out aesthetic touches and comforting vignettes make my heart happy!Most significant is the undercurrent of honor and love you show not only your guests but your sacred and beloved land and all of the life it holds! TMGR is a truly blessed and magical place of such beauty. You are an amazing steward of it all.
Can’t wait to return in January to nestle in, paint, make art and be creative there, cozy up to a fire with my dear friends by the pool and wait patiently for out butter chicken from Saffron to be delivered!
I loved bringing my daughter with me this trip and she has fallen in love with it as well. We shared this space very comfortably, especially our morning coffee on the little patio.
We can’t wait to return!
Lawrence
Sherry - Alaska
Joy - MO
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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 cook top, so making meals was easy. This was a really nice stay and great value for the price and truly historical and unique location.
Sherry - Alaska
Sherry - Alaska
Sherry - Alaska
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I absolutely loved my stay at the Historic Tucson Guest Ranch. The unit is so homey, comfortable, clean and cozy. The pool is incredible with a beautiful view of the mountains. There is extraordinary hiking out your front door. It exceeded my expectations and I actually had pretty high expectations. I thought it would be wonderful.
Julie - Nevada
Sherry - Alaska
Sherry - Alaska
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This unit is peaceful with beautiful desert surroundings. Rustic and historical vibe. Great out of the city location with fantastic view of Arizona mountain landscape. Beds/bedding was comfortable, basic bathroom and kitchen. 10 minute drive to anything you need. Checkin and checkout process very easy. Hosts were very responsive to questions and requests.
Matthieu - Canada
Christina - California
Christina - California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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, charming and warming, historical, impression on being alone in accessible as town is near by!
We definitely would love to be back there some day!
Christina - California
Christina - California
Christina - California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so glad I took the opportunity to stay at this awesome and unique place. It’s like living in a piece of history. The architecture took me back to some of the antique places I stayed in northern Spain. While it was fairly close to the city, it was remote enough to feel like being out in the country, which is what I needed to
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m so glad I took the opportunity to stay at this awesome and unique place. It’s like living in a piece of history. The architecture took me back to some of the antique places I stayed in northern Spain. While it was fairly close to the city, it was remote enough to feel like being out in the country, which is what I needed to recharge my spirit. In spite of that the Wi-Fi was super fast, letting me work remotely a little bit. The hosts were very kind and responsive to any question I had. The natural desert landscape and historic buildings all around was incredible. So many amazing photo ops. Last but not least it was the most lovely experience being in the hot tub at night gazing up at the stars. I can’t wait to stay here again next time I’m in Tucson!
Kristin - New Mexico
Christina - California
Kristin - New Mexico
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This ranch is a hidden gem in a fantastic location! The owner is very responsive, and we appreciated all the love that is going into restoring this rustic, historical vacay place. Check out the gorgeous pool and hot tub! Wildlife is special here- right amidst/on the edge of the saguaros & desert- we even saw a javelina out front
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This ranch is a hidden gem in a fantastic location! The owner is very responsive, and we appreciated all the love that is going into restoring this rustic, historical vacay place. Check out the gorgeous pool and hot tub! Wildlife is special here- right amidst/on the edge of the saguaros & desert- we even saw a javelina out front. This is a must if you are going to Tuscon and you want a low-key vibe among nature!
Jenna - Kansas
Trevor - California
Kristin - New Mexico
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Tuscon Mountain Guest Ranch was everything we wanted and more! Situated in the desert, surrounded by mountains and saguaros, it’s the perfect little stone cabin. It stayed nice and cool with several A/C units, even in the southern AZ heat. Hosts were helpful and responsive, accomadations were as described, and it’s right off the
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tuscon Mountain Guest Ranch was everything we wanted and more! Situated in the desert, surrounded by mountains and saguaros, it’s the perfect little stone cabin. It stayed nice and cool with several A/C units, even in the southern AZ heat. Hosts were helpful and responsive, accomadations were as described, and it’s right off the highway, giving easy access to town within 10-15 minutes. Highly recommend this Airbnb!
Trevor - California
Trevor - California
Trevor - California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LOVED the vibes of the whole property. There is a very rustic feel to our unit, which was unique and provided its own experience. On arrival, figuring out the layout was a little intimidating, but the directions and map provided were perfectly clear and easily understood. The property is BEAUTIFUL. The host was very responsive a
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LOVED the vibes of the whole property. There is a very rustic feel to our unit, which was unique and provided its own experience. On arrival, figuring out the layout was a little intimidating, but the directions and map provided were perfectly clear and easily understood. The property is BEAUTIFUL. The host was very responsive and proactive, which I appreciate. It is very close to West Saguaro, and downtown Tucson is a short drive away. Thank you for hosting us!
Layna- Minnesota
Trevor - California
Trevor - California
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m almost hesitant to leave a review so that this property stays a hidden gem. Super reasonable price, cozy rooms, great pool/hot tub, beautiful private views, and a great location. It’s perfect for those looking for a low-key, somewhat rustic, private getaway. TONS of hiking nearby. Super responsive hosts as well. I plan to return!
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, a wash leads into the Yetman Trail. In a couple of hours, you will 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 how you can find your trail to 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, and 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 explor
Just behind our ranch,
warm night air, the scent of orange blossoms, stirring sunsets, and 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 in the Best Place to Watch a Sunset category in the 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 film
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
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
https://sanxaviermission.org
Sonora Desert Museum
Sonora Desert Museum
Just 13 minutes 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 sho
Just 13 minutes 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, javelina, 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
Sonora Desert Museum
Summerhaven is named very appropriately considering how many Tucsonans and visitors escape there from the summer heat and 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 m
Summerhaven is named very appropriately considering how many Tucsonans and visitors escape there from the summer heat and 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 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 p
Signal Hill petroglyphs site is located in 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