Kentucky Camp, human settlement in Arizona, United States of America
Kentucky Camp is a historic mining settlement in the Santa Rita Mountains founded in 1904 to support gold mining operations in the area. The site contains well-preserved adobe structures, including a large ten-room headquarters building, a small ore processing facility, and workers' quarters that together illustrate the layout and construction methods of an early mining camp.
The camp was established in 1904 to support mining companies seeking gold and silver deposits and quickly became an active center for workers and their families. Operations ceased following the sudden death of the chief engineer, after which the land served as a cattle ranch for approximately 50 years before being transferred to Coronado National Forest in 1989.
The site is located within a national forest and can be explored on foot, with a small adobe building available for overnight stays to experience the history firsthand. The Arizona Trail passes through the area and offers hiking and biking routes through the surrounding mountain landscape.
The mysterious disappearance of the chief engineer led to the camp's abandonment, yet the structures were discovered in surprisingly good condition after decades of neglect. Volunteers and conservation groups have since undertaken extensive restoration work, making the adobe building one of the largest surviving examples of construction from this era.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
