Empire Ranch, Historic cattle ranch in Pima County, Arizona, United States
The Empire Ranch spans over 22 rooms in an adobe and wood frame building situated within the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area grasslands.
Walter Vail and Herbert Hislop purchased the property in 1876 for $1,174, transforming it from a small holding into a 180-square-mile ranching operation.
The ranch building demonstrates the evolution of western architecture, expanding from a four-room adobe structure to accommodate the needs of growing cattle operations.
Visitors can access the ranch daily from sunrise to sunset by following Interstate 10 East to Arizona Highway 83, turning east between mileposts 39 and 40.
The property includes silver mining remnants from the Total Wreck Mining and Milling Company, which provided additional funds for ranch expansion in 1879.
Location: Pima County
GPS coordinates: 31.78530,-110.64200
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:24
Fort Huachuca
37.7 km
Kartchner Caverns State Park
28.5 km
Titan Missile Museum
36.2 km
Madera Canyon
28.8 km
Colossal Cave
31.2 km
Mount Wrightson
21.9 km
VERITAS
31.8 km
MMT Observatory
25.4 km
Patagonia Lake State Park
38.2 km
Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory
25.2 km
Fort Buchanan
15.5 km
Mount Hopkins
25.4 km
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
3.5 km
Tucson ring meteorite
31.5 km
Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate
41.8 km
Apache Peak
20.6 km
Infrared Optical Telescope Array
25.3 km
Ciénega Bridge
26.1 km
The Little Outfit Schoolhouse
32.9 km
Canelo Hills Cienega Reserve
27.2 km
Canelo Ranger Station
28.6 km
James Finley House
36.2 km
Benson Railroad Historic District
38.7 km
San Ignacio Golf Club
35.6 km
Apache Powder Historic Residential District
38.1 km
San Pedro Golf Course
40.2 km
Marsh Station Bridge
26.1 km
San Pedro River Railroad Bridge
39.7 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes