Step into the natural world of No Pants Ranch, nestled in a private setting near Saguaro National Park West. This two-story octagon main house is filled with color, tropical plants, original artwork and curiosities. Unwind on the covered wrap-around porch or take a dip in the outdoor clawfoot tub surrounded by 53 saguaro cacti and native wildlife.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
7 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 16
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Add dates for prices
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.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Ice maker
Kitchenette
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
7 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Day bed
Sofa bed
Bathroom
2.5 bathrooms
Bathtub
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Fenced yard
Firepit
Furnished patio
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Telescope
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washer/dryer
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Office
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Change of bedsheets (on request)
Change of towels on request
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Smartphone
Location highlights
In a rural location
In the mountains
Near a zoo
Things to do
Gym
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
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
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: Beware: desert is spiny and sometimes dangerous!
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Events must be pre-approved by host!
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
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. Visit our Tucson travel guide
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).
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No Pants Ranch & the Sonora Shack - A Sonoran Desert Wildlife Sanctuary Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We enjoyed our stay at this property. Check-in was simple and communication with the owners was excellent. We had everything we needed for a peaceful, relaxing stay. Tons of space to spread out for some alone time and several locations for groups to gather.
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.
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!
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!
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!!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
Property owners are amazing. Very accommodating and flexible with our wedding arrangements. Grounds were beautiful and maintained and was a wonderful spot for our special day