Welcome to the Muleshoe Ranch
Cooperative Management Area
| The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (CMA) is 49,120 acres of rugged beauty, lush riparian areas and an array of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This area is jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. These three groups are working together to conserve and enhance the unique ecosystems found here and to protect endangered species, as well as the areas they depend upon.
Within the Muleshoe is found most of the watershed area for seven permanently flowing streams, representing some of the best remaining aquatic habitat in Arizona. Some 80%,of the region's wildlife species depend upon these streamside communities at some time in their lives. The importance of this area to early settlers is seen in the numerous ranches and homesteads that dotted the area in the last 150 years. They were also critically dependent upon the riparian communities for their survival in such a rigorous landscape. The Muleshoe provides everyone with the opportunity to learn more about southeastern Arizona's rich natural and cultural history. 1.The Muleshoe Ranch Headquarters is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. This area includes the nature trail, visitor center, and overnight casitas. Reservations for overnight accommodations should be made in advance by calling 520-507-5229. All visitors should register at the visitor center. 2.The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (CMA) is a mosaic of public and private land cooperatively managed by The Nature Conservancy, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. All regulations and guidelines pertaining to public lands, including Wilderness Areas, apply to BLM and Forest Service lands within the CMA. Access to the CMA by vehicle, horseback, or hiking is provided via Jackson Cabin Road. However, this road is limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles only, since it is very rough, not well maintained and subject to regular washouts. Drivers assume this risk. Day hikers wishing to drive to Bass Canyon via Jackson Cabin Road are asked to park in the designated area found in the canyon. All backcountry users should sign in and out at the kiosk. Please check in at the Headquarters Visitor Center for additional information about trails. Backcountry facilities in the CMA are available for overnight use. Pride Ranch, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, is located approximately 6 miles from the Headquarters area via Jackson Cabin Road. Please contact the Muleshoe Ranch Headquarters for information and availability. Other backcountry destinations include Jackson Cabin (approx. 14 miles) and Hooker Cabin (approx. 20 miles). 3.The Riparian Management Zones are designated areas within the CMA that are of special environmental concern because of their unique flora, fauna, and hydrologic values. Activities permitted within these areas include hiking, low-impact camping, and horseback riding. For the safety of others and protection of the sensitive wildlife and habitats in these areas, The Nature Conservancy asks that you please refrain from the following activities within the Riparian Monitoring Zones on Conservancy lands:
WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION AND HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT. For more information, contact: BLM Tucson Resource Area U.S. Forest Service CALENDAR OF WILDLIFE EVENTS January - February: Coatimundis seen in large troops in canyons. Woodpeckers, green-tailed towhees, yellow-eyed juncos, and white-crowned sparrows active around headquarters. Mule deer seen browsing, throughout the Muleshoe CMA. March - April: Warblers, hooded orioles, and hummingbirds return to headquarters. Zone-tail hawks and black hawks return to canyons to nest, as do turkey vultures. Many migrant songbirds passing through. Rock squirrels, spiny lizards, and leopard frogs, emerge from hibernation. May - June: Flycatchers and kingbirds abound. Golden eagIes, falcons, and Cooper's hawks seen throughout the Muleshoe from the canyon bottoms to the peaks. Gambel's quail and pygmy owls heard at dusk. Young great horned owls announce their place in the world at night. July - August: Summer rains begin! Whitetail deer seen in mesquite bosques, as well as javelinas. Coatis seen in small bands in canyons. An abundance of hummingbirds seen at feeders at headquarters. Also abundant, praying mantis, butterflies, and bumblebees. Desert tortoises come out of their burrows to feed on new grasses. September - October: Young javelina seen in canyons. Hognose skunks boldly make their presence known! Warblers and other songbirds stop by on their migrations. Great blue herons and other waterfowl seen passing through on their way to the Willcox Playa. In the wilderness, black bears out ambling on fall foraging adventures. Coveys of Montezuma quail seen in desert grassland areas. November - December: Coatimundis begin to gather in large groups. Winter birds like the sharp-shinned hawk, northern flicker, and the white-crowned sparrow begin to arrive. GETTING THERE The Muleshoe is 110 miles by road from Tucson. To visit, take Interstate 10 past to Willcox exit 340. After exiting go south to the first right turn, Bisbee Avenue, which is next to the shopping center. Follow Bisbee Avenue past the high school to Airport Road. Turn right on Airport Road. After about 15 miles, take the right fork at junction just past mailboxes and follow for another 14 miles or so. The Muleshoe Ranch Headquarters are located at the end of this road. Telephone 520-507-5229 |
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