Can you reserve a site at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building?

Yes, Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building?

Yes, pets are allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building.

Are campfires allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building?

Campfires are allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building, Arizona — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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

Recreation

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.

Facilities

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. 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. Please note: Tent Camping is prohibited within the site boundary of Kentucky Camp.

The cabin has electricity and propane heat, but no indoor running water.

Guests MUST bring their own food, sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper, solar shower, and garbage bags.

Natural Features

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The facts

1 bookable site
Up to 5 people per site
Loops: KENTUCKY CAMP CABIN AND HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

Site types

1 Cabin Electric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
001	KENTUCKY CAMP CABIN AND HEADQUARTERS BUILDING	Cabin Electric	Parallel	Gravel	Moderate	—	5	🐾

Getting there

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.

31.74434, -110.74157 · 31°44'39.6"N 110°44'29.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 93°F in Jun, down to 60°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	61	64	70	76	84	93	92	89	87	79	69	60
Low °F	40	41	45	50	57	66	69	68	65	56	47	39
Precip in	1.5	1.4	1.1	0.6	0.3	0.3	4.9	4.3	2.0	1.1	1.1	2.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building

Can you reserve a site at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building?: Yes, Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building have?: 1 site.
Are pets allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building?: Yes, pets are allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building.
Are campfires allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building?: Campfires are allowed at Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building

Kent Springs Cabin 7.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Canelo Ranger Residence 18.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Canelo Ranger Office 18.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tumacacori National Historical Park Tours 21.9 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Rock Bluff Group Site 27.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Kentucky Camp less than 0.1 mi · Campground
Historic Empire Ranch 3.9 mi · Facility
Bog Springs Campground 8 mi · Campground
Tumacácori Visitor Center and Museum 21.9 mi · Facility
Lakeview Campground 27.7 mi · Campground
Rincon Mountain Visitor Center (East) 30.1 mi · Facility
Saguaro National Park East - Rincon Mountain District Visitor Center 30.1 mi · Visitor Center

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Kentucky Camp Cabin and Headquarters Building