Ride through history on horseback! Experience the trails used by Empire Ranch cowboys for over 145 years while taking in the lush rolling hills and wide open spaces surrounding the Ranch Headquarters. Rides are available at 10am, 11am, noon, and 1 pm.
The 45-minute Trail Ride is $40. Riders must be age 8 or older; 18 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are limited and may not be available the day of the event.
Click here to reserve your space.
Join us for the 2022 Christmas at the Empire Ranch event on Saturday, December 10th from 10am to 2pm. The Empire Ranch House will be decorated for Christmas, and we have lots of fun activities planned for the day.
Click here to see the preliminary program.
Click here to view photos of the 2021 event.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and ERF will commemorate National Public Lands Day with a volunteer workday at the Empire Ranch on Saturday, October 22nd, from 8 am to noon. The NPLD workday will involve upkeeping of the inside of the Main Ranch House and landscaping of the grounds of the building.
Plan to join us! To volunteer send an email to Marti Conroy, Volunteer Coordinator: Wrangler4504@gmail.com
Read about Garry Rollins’ search on Las Cienegas National Conservation Area for the location of the honeymoon house constructed for filming of the 1976 film, “A Star is Born.” The story is on p. 3 of the September 2022 ERF Newsletter.
Pima County recently posted a YouTube video about the Empire Ranch as part of their Exploring the County Line series. Click here to view the video.
Almost 2.000 excited visitors enjoyed the 21st annual Cowboy Festival on November 5-6, 2022. It was a fun-filled two days for the whole family featuring western music & entertainment, history & culture demonstrations, ranch life exhibits, 45 minute trail rides, kids activities, skilled artisans and speakers, silent auction and food.
Special thanks to the sponsors who provided financial support for the Festival and to the 200+ volunteers who made the day possible.
Click here to view the day’s program.
We seek volunteers to work at our Gift Shop at the historic Empire Ranch. Volunteers are needed for five hour shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Responsibilities include stocking, organizing, and cleaning the Gift Shop; processing sales using an iPad and Square software; providing general information about the Empire Ranch and Las Cienegas National Conservation Area; and completing various reports. Training for all tasks provided. Volunteers must be personable and willing to engage with visitors.
Click here to apply.
The July 23rd celebration of the National Day of the Cowboy at the Empire Ranch also provided an opportunity to celebrate the re-opening of the ERF Gift Shop. Over 350 participants arrived bright and early to beat the heat and enjoy of morning of activities and shopping.
Click here to see the day’s program. Click here to see photos of the event
Dedicated volunteers have been key to preserving the historic Empire Ranch House and Headquarters. Please join us on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
To volunteer, please submit a Volunteer Opportunities Form, and we will contact you with more details!
Explore the Historic Empire Ranch in an exciting new way. It’s called Agents of Discovery, the not-so-secret,
secret agency dedicated to learning and playing outdoors.
To get started:
1. Download the free Agents of Discovery app to your mobile device at the Apple App Store, Google Play or visit www.AgentsofDiscovery.com.
2. After downloading the app, click on the Missions button and select the ones you want to play.
3. Preload the missions and head out to the Historic Empire Ranch to start completing your challenges!