Campground

Facilities

Half Moon Ranch is a seven-room ranch style house, suitable for groups of up to 9 people. The house has two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen. The master bedroom has a queen-size bed; the second bedroom has two beds, a twin and full. The living room contains two double futons, rocking chairs, and a wood stove (firewood not provided). The dining room has a table and chairs that seats six.

A small dinette set with seating for four is located in the kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, oven, microwave and refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, & coffee machine. The house has electricity and running water. Outside, guests will enjoy using picnic table for outdoor dining. The Forest Service is unable to provide firewood at this time. Please note that the indoor fireplace is not maintained for use.

Although the cabin has amenities for comfortable lodging, guests do need to provide some of their own supplies, including food, sleeping bags, linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. Although electricity is available, it is recommended that guests bring an additional light source in case of emergencies.

A barn and corrals are located to the east of the main house. There is a covered storage area for hay as well. Up to six horses/mules are permitted in the corrals, and feed must be certified weed-free.

Natural Features

Half Moon Ranch is surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Dragoon Mountains and Cochise Stronghold. At an elevation of 5,000 feet, the sparsely wooded area is a protective rampart of granite spires, sheer cliffs, and balanced rocks and boulders which were once the refuge of the Apache Chief, Cochise. The ranch house lies in a mountain range or "sky island" in the Coronado National Forest, rising dramatically from the desert floor and supporting abundant and biologically diverse plant and animal communities.

Recreation

The area around Half Moon ranch has long been considered a bouldering and rock climbing paradise, boasting backcountry and protected routes ranging from one to seven pitches in length, and from 5.6 to 5.12 in difficulty. Most approaches are 30-60 minutes in length, although there are a number of known areas that are easily accessible from the roads. In addition, the nearby Cochise Stronghold Campground has interpretive tales for both natural and cultural resources and history.

Recreation Sites

  • Cabin Electric
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Museum
  • Mountain Biking
  • Birding
  • Rock Climbing

Amenities

  • Living Room
  • Wood Heating
  • Furnished
  • Lighting
  • Non Smoking
  • Hot Water
  • Microwave
  • Bed(s) with mattress
  • Cooking Utensils
  • Cooking Pots
  • Corrals
  • Dining Area
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Stove
  • Flush Toilets
  • Futon(s)
  • Horse Corrals
  • Kitchen
  • Lights
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Campfire Rings
  • Coffee Pot
  • Electricity
  • Electric Heating
  • Grills
  • Paved Parking
  • Propane Grills
  • Showers
  • Tables
  • Picnic Tables

Nearby Attractions

The Half Moon Ranch is located approximately 9 miles west of Sunsites, Arizona. Attractions in the area include the Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, the Amerind Foundation, the ghost towns of Gleeson, Dos Cabezas, and Courtland, and the Willcox Playa.

Getting Here

Latitude
31° 56' 46.8770" N
Longitude
109° 57' 19.3918" W

From Tucson: Take I-10 east to Exit #318 (Dragoon Road). Turn right onto Dragoon Road and travel for approximately 10 miles through the village of Dragoon to the Cochise Stronghold Road. Turn right on Cochise Stronghold Road and travel for approximately 6 miles to Ironwood Road. The paved road dead ends at Ironwood Road. Turn right, and travel for approximately 3 miles to the first creek crossing. The entrance to the Half Moon Ranch is on the left just beyond the crossing.

Need to Know

  • Pets are NOT permitted inside or outside the cabin.

    Unfortunately, due to a history of pet owners inadequately cleaning up after their pets, pets are no longer allowed. Forest Service staff have limited time to complete weekly cabin cleaning. Cleaning service is not cost effective due to the rural location of the cabins. Eliminating the need to vacuum pet hair, neutralize odors, and pick up poop frees up staff time to cleaning cabin amenities and address repair needs.

  • Access to the house is through a locked gate; the gate has a combination lock, and the house key is located in a lock box on the kitchen door. The combinations for the gate and the lock box are provided once a reservation is made.

  • A cabin manual is located inside the cabin to answer specific questions during your stay as well as provide you with information on recreation opportunities in the area.

  • Cleaning service is NOT provided. Before leaving, renters are expected to clean the cabin; this includes washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, wiping down countertops, cleaning bathrooms & showers, and removing ALL trash.

  • Guests MUST provide some of their own supplies including: food, sleeping bags, linens, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, a first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags.

  • Please do NOT flush anything but toilet paper to prevent clogs or damage to the septic system.

  • Keep the building and grounds clean to deter squirrel, mice, rats, bears, and other wildlife from the area.

  • Cell phone coverage is usually available in the general area, but may be unreliable in the cabin.

  • Off-Highway vehicle users should be aware that East Cochise Stronghold has only one road for vehicles. Due to heavy traffic by passenger cars, trucks, RVs, and trailers, it is not recommended for off-road vehicle use.
  • The house is located in a desert environment; please be aware that scorpions, snakes and other insects may be present at any time.

  • The access road leading into the cabin is passable by passenger car, but high clearance vehicles are recommended.

  • The cabin is a no-smoking facility.

  • Reservation dates subject to weather conditions.

  • This cabin does not honor Golden Passport Discounts.
  • A helispot is located at the far west end of the pasture; emergency crews may periodically use this site for emergency rescue operations.

    • Contact Information

    DOUGLAS RANGER DISTRICT
    1192 W. SADDLEWOOD ROAD
    DOUGLAS, AZ 85625

    For campground inquiries, please call: (520) 364-3468

    Additional Information