Entire home

No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

Photo gallery for No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

Airy and artsy octagon main house living!
Welcome to No Pants Ranch, the Desert Octagon!
Exterior
Chiminea outdoor fireplace on a flagstone patio & a grey water sink
A serene desert escape for nature lovers!

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
5 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 16

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

Living Room in Main House

1 Double Futon

Master

1 King Bed

Second Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Sonora Shack Ground Floor

2 Double Futons

Sonora Shack Loft

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Bed

Sunroom Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Third Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Downstairs

Toilet

Master

Toilet · Shower only

Sonora Shack Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs

+1
Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

You won’t find cows or horses at OUR ranch, just abundant, native Sonoran Desert wildlife amid stunning views of adjacent Saguaro National Park West. A short trip down our dirt driveway gives you enough desert privacy to make pants optional but chilling out a requirement. We're a destination stay that's ideal for an adventurous family, a small wedding or other event, a reunion, a professional or casual retreat, or several couples who like privacy while sharing overall space. Although the Desert Museum, downtown Tucson, Tucson Mountain Park, and endless hiking trails are nearby most guests tell us they wish they'd booked more days just to hang out at No Pants Ranch itself.

Our main house is a locally storied and funky, two-story octagon filled with color, tropical plants, original artwork, heaps of books, and curiosities in every corner. You’ll also find all the comforts of home inside with our gourmet kitchen, washer and dryer (plus a clothes-saving, outdoor line), two and a half baths in the main octagon house (one with a jacuzzi tub), four bedrooms (one king and three double beds), a fold-out couch that sleeps two more, internet (50-100 Mbps in both buildings), central heating and A/C, wood fireplace, rustic pine floors under a cathedral ceiling with skylights. And it’s all encircled by a covered wrap-around porch with rocking chairs so you can lounge in the shade or the sun anytime.

Our Sonora Shack, a separate, repurposed metal building, has a full bathroom and kitchenette with convection/air fryer and small fridge/freezer downstairs. It's an ideal meeting space with big windows and a chalkboard. The downstairs Shack space has and 2 double-bed futons. Up the spiral staircase, four more can sleep with 1 double bed and 2 twins. You can enjoy a sunset view from the loft balcony!

Our guests tend to be eco-conscious like us. We get most of our energy from solar panels and use eco-friendly items like reusable, bamboo paper towels. You won't need to buy single-use plastics as we have a heap of plates, glasses and cutlery with a dishwasher to clean them. We keep our surroundings free of light pollution for optimal stargazing. Our home is free of perfumes, dyes, strong chemicals, and toxic pesticides.

Pets are welcome! Just let us know and be sure to keep them leashed outside for their safety as well as that of our local wildlife such as javelina, rattlesnakes, lizards, song birds, etc! No need to travel with a dog bed and pooper scooper - we've got ya covered.

Neighborhood
Our five acres are a naturalist’s paradise just begging to be carefully explored. We have fifty-three (yes, we’ve counted!) saguaro cactus ranging from pin-cushion size, five-year-old babies to their giant grandparents well over 100 years old! You’ll also discover many other native cactus and agave, wildflowers, ancient desert trees, various lizards, birds, snakes, and interesting insects. You can cool yourself in the outdoor clawfoot tub or hang on the hammock and view our colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats as they emerge from their bat houses at sunset. After dark you might spy javelinas, coyotes, and bobcats who come to drink from our watering hole. Be sure to say “howdy” if you run into our eclectic friends and neighbors, from cactus-hugging hippies to die-hard cowboys out for an evening walk. They’ll love to give you local suggestions like hidden petroglyphs, nearby dive bars, neighborhood food trucks, and farmer’s markets. On moonless nights be sure to enjoy the dark, starry sky from the porch swing and spy planets and nebulas through the telescope. There’s also a patio with dining table and kiva fireplace to enjoy. You can play desert croquet, badminton, or even nighttime volleyball on our sand court.

Getting Around
Located on the edge of Saguaro National Park West and close to Tucson Mountain Park, your driving time to many hiking trails is just about zero. You can reach Park headquarters in just minutes, the famed Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in ten minutes, grocery stores and restaurants in under fifteen, while downtown Tucson is still only a thirty-minute, scenic drive away. Go just forty minutes to search for bighorn sheep in Ironwood National Monument and expect a forty-five-minute drive from the Tucson International airport or a ninety-minute trip from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor. Shuttles are available from both airports.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Beware: desert is spiny and sometimes dangerous!
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Events must be pre-approved by host!
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Keep it quiet after10:00PM Event must be pre-approved by host
No fireworks of any kind No smoking inside or outside
No Unauthorized Guests Pets must be disclosed

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 60
Note from host: Events must be pre-approved by host!
This property uses solar energy, plus eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Tucson

Located in Picture Rocks, a neighbourhood in Tucson, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Quarry Pines Golf Club and Sunflower Village Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Labyrinth Garden and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Aeroball Sports Courts and Old Tucson Studios are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • Saguaro National Park - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Old Tucson Studios - 19 min drive - 23.1 km
  • Tucson Mall - 27 min drive - 31.0 km
  • University of Arizona - 29 min drive - 37.0 km
  • Davis-Monthan Air Force Base - 37 min drive - 48.0 km

Getting around

  • Tucson Station - 29 min drive
  • Tucson, AZ (AVW-Marana Regional) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Nico’s Express - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Sky Rider Coffee Shop - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Horseshoe Barbeque - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Lucky's Boba Tea - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary?

As of 2 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary on 17 May 2026 start from NZ$477, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Located in Picture Rocks, this holiday home is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Saguaro National Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Golden Gate Loop Trail and Sus Picnic Area. Signal Hill Trail and Red Hills Visitor Center are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheilah N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Really enjoyed our stay at NPR. Not ultra modern but boatloads of character! Grounds and views were fantastic for outdoor living. Great communication with gracious hosts.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very unique home in a beautiful setting.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a wonderful stay. Jo and Paul have built up a wonderful life story documented throughout their home, and a property to match! The central area's plants are lovely, and the house designed excellently to get cooled. Loved the landscape, listened to the coyotes sing at night, enjoyed the bunnies and lizards and birds. Chiminea was very nice one night, and we had a good time taking some pictures of the stars afterwards. You can see them all :)
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mercedes C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay!

Our family enjoyed our stay. Lovely desert setting with lots of activities and full kitchen.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cole M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay at an amazing home

The house was beautiful and fun and the hosts were very nice and accomodating. I cannot recommend this place enough!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sari g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

No pants needed

Fantastic getaway at no pants ranch! Beautiful home and property with everything we needed for a week stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

quiet oasis

We loved staying at No Pants Ranch. Loved the quiet, the birds, the sunrises and sunsets, the closeness to Parks and trails. It was a wonderful place to connect with desert nature and each other.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

S. Brandon E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time on the ranch!

Our family had a wonderful time at this unique property. We saw the listing and actually changed our itinerary to be able to stay here, and it didn’t disappoint! Was so great to be close to nature. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay!

We had a wonderful few days at the No Pants Ranch, staying with family and then hosting a wedding celebration! My family loved the decoration and style of the house and the owners could have been more helpful with our preparations for our event. The housekeeper even let us view the property early so we could better plan for our celebration, something a lot of places would not have done! We can't recommend this place enough!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carly D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect desert escape

We had a group with 3 families all with kids meet up to explore the desert and see the Saguaros. This house was a perfect spot with plenty of space with the shack too! There is so much care and character in the house - it’s an absolute treasure. We especially loved the meditation path and star gazing while sitting at a little fire outside. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Memories

Such a great place to stay with family and friends! It was exactly what we were looking for! The outside areas were beautiful, the sunsets were amazing, and the house was fully stocked with everything you would need! We loved the curiosities around every corner and appreciated the prompt responses to our inquiries! Highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Al N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

LOVED IT ! Perfect for groups!

LOVED it! Great art, beautiful space and very safe and cozy. Nice to see a rental so conservation conscious. Hope to return one day!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Penny D.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Get Together

Perfect, different, fun, great out of the way location. Owners communicated constantly. Would definitely go back. Lots of beds. We cooked homemade pizzas, B&Gs, 5 mile walk. Tons of games for the kiddos 6 & 8. The wildlife was fun!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donna B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Retreat in the Sonora desert

Four of us stayed at this unique home for 6 nights and really enjoyed the peace and beauty of the environment. The owners have decorated their place with natural and artistic wonders from all over the world. Color and creativity abound! The kitchen is chock full of everything you need, the beds are comfy and the property is filled with games, outdoor cooking/eating spaces and bird watching. The owners and manager were very responsive to questions.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thecla M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

If you don't want ordinary!

Unique architecture, beautiful setting - this is not an ordinary property! You almost "get to know" the owners and their passions through the art work and objects throughout their home! Great communication about how the house operates, check in, where things are located. We enjoyed our stay very much!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tamar K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sonoran Serenity

We had such a wonderful time at No Pants Ranch. Our group contained of 2 families and there was plenty of space for everyone. The teenage kids made themselves comfortable in The Shack while the parents plus little ones used the main house. The kitchen is well equipped, the beds are comfortable and the place is very clean.We used the outdoor space for dining and games. Had plenty of visits from the Desert Spiny Lizard, went looking for scorpions at night with the blacklight provided by the host and even used the clothes line with pegs to dry our laundry!Jo and Paul are super hosts! Very friendly and quick responses. If you stay at their place make sure to pay attention to the art and displays at the house. There's so much information and fun facts to discover! We would really love to come back some day. We made some wonderful memories at No Pants ranch!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nickie J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedded Bliss

We were lucky enough to be able to have our wedding in this wonderfull setting. Before our stay the owners invited us out to see the property and get a better feel of the place so we'd be able to plan out our event. Our wedding went smoothly and we were able to have friends and family join us for our celebration. The setting was perfect for a setting sun reception and celebration. I appreciated the care and attention they gave us and the quick response when something went amiss. Thank you again for letting us use this lovely eclectic home for our special day in October.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Sonoran Retreat

No Pants Ranch is a natural, funky, and fun desert property near Sonoran National Park and the Desert Museum in the small town of Picture Rocks. The house is octagonal, wooden, two-story and unusual with a wrap around deck good for watching the birds and other wildlife. The Sonoran Shack is a two story casita with an attached cover for an RV. The house is comfortable, decorated with biologically-based artwork, and roomy. We are a couple and used it for two months as a base for Tucson activities, with groups of family and friends visiting for periods. You need to cross a mountain pass and portions of the National Park to get to the property, but in 15 minutes you are to I-10 and in 30 minutes downtown Tucson. We enjoyed it so much, we will return next year.
Stayed 52 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Lynn R.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location for large groups

The location and serene setting are wonderful. Had 14 guests for overnight holiday party and was perfect even though it rained and was cold (29 degrees!) Kitchen was well stocked and beds good. Would have appreciated a gas grill. We felt the living room furniture was warn out and not suitable for older folks. The space heaters made the Shack comfortable even though the downstairs flooded after a rainstorm. Loved having the new bathroom. Internet /streaming great. Fireplace great on cold nights. Needs some maintenance (interior painting, deck, stairways, handrails etc) Nathalie was kind and very responsive.
Stayed 24 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 4 June 2022
Thanks so much for your review! Your feedback had been cruicial for us in our current round of renovations. We already have new patio furniture and a gas grill!
Verified

8/10 Good

Keri R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved No Pants!

What a beautiful location - the drive there and back daily was incredible! The check in and out process was very easy. We had 12 people with us. The house and the shack were quirky and colorful - nothing fancy though, which was fine with us. The mattresses were great and being able to spread out between the 2 houses was a nice perk. The owners were very good at communicating and provided lots of information regarding the local wildlife around the ranch. If I could offer a couple of suggestions to make it even better, I would suggest new pillows in the bedrooms. They were flat and you only get 1 pillow per person. Offering more pillows with different levels of firmness would be nice. Also, the furniture in the living room was old and low to the ground. They were difficult to get in and out of, especially for older guests. All and all, this was a wonderful rental and I would definitely recommend it to others! We'll be back in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Doug C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place for a corporate retreat

We had our annual planning session and wanted to find a way to disconnect from the office to focus on the business rather than be distracted by the day-to-day of the business. There was plenty of space for 6 adults and two great working locations to plan our year. Working outdoors by the fire made for a great venue, and we even snuck out to Saguaro National Park for a quick hike. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kerri S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So Beautiful!

We all enjoyed the uniqueness of the property and homes. There was plenty of room for our large party and all of the necessities were provided. The views were lovely and we loved the porch swing and outdoor fireplace. Would definitely stay again to accommodate our large family!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful location

We had such a great time. the trails and views are beautiful!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sonoran Desert Wonderland

We had such a wonderful time at No Pants Ranch, Sabino Canyon, the Saguaro National Park, the Tucson Botanical Garden, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Coyote Pause Cafe, the U of Arizona, & Tucson! What a week! The mornings & the sunsets on the ranch porch are among my favorite memories! Till next time!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Getaway

Our family does a lot of traveling using VRBO and we rely heavily upon the reviews others have left to guide our decisions. This home will not disappoint! We specifically looked for somewhere that was not a commercialized condo with a pool. We were right on the edge of Saguaro National Park and within about 10 minutes of several great hikes. The house was very unique and had plenty of room to sleep more people than we had. It also comes with a guest house that was perfect for the family that came to stay with us. The kitchen was stocked with every cooking item you would everr need! The property was perfect for watching the sunset on the mountains and the nature around the house kept the kids busy for hours! While the owners are often away and out of reach, their property manager is local and was extremely responsive and very friendly! You will not be disappointed staying at this unique desert home!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

About the host

Hosted by Stephanie Jo Bowman

Host profile image
As biologists and artists, we are super excited to share our beloved solar-energy home adjacent to Saguaro National Park West with folks who crave a truly natural and one-of-a-kind experience. Jo is also an environmental educator and naturalist/hiking guide with decades of experience leading groups in the field. If you'd like her to accompany you on some adventures just mention it in a note when you book!

Why they chose this property

We were looking for a one-of-a-kind home adjacent to Saguaro National Park West with natural desert privacy and plenty of room for guests to join us. The bobcats living in our mesquite tree along with an established colony of insect eating bats in their bat houses sold us on No Pants Ranch!

What makes this property unique

Our native shade trees and outdoor water features attract an amazing variety of desert animals to observe in their natural habitat. Inside it feels like you entered a tropical forest with our house plants who have grown up towards the octagonal, cathedral skylights where the sun dapples down onto the main living space. Jo created intentional spaces in every corner to experience her original artwork as well as her partner's photography. Kids of all ages will have lots of curiosities to ignite their curiosity. Every window has it's own special view!

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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