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

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washer/dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Tucson, AZ
  • Place, Saguaro National Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Arizona
    ‪40 min drive‬
  • Place, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
    ‪52 min drive‬
  • Airport, Tucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)
    ‪55 min drive‬

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.

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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

Property # 7334034
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

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. Explore all the area has to offer with ecotours, mountain biking and hiking.
Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • Saguaro National Park - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Old Tucson Studios - 24 min drive - 23.1 km
  • Tucson Mall - 36 min drive - 32.5 km
  • University of Arizona - 40 min drive - 38.9 km
  • Davis-Monthan Air Force Base - 52 min drive - 49.8 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
  • ‪Lucky's Boba Tea - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Sky Rider Coffee Shop - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬18 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 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.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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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