Top 10 Largest Ranches in Arizona

Top 10 Largest Ranches in Arizona


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Arizona, known for its rugged desert landscapes, towering mountains, and vast grasslands, is home to some of the largest and most iconic ranches in the United States.  These sprawling properties are key players in Arizona’s agricultural economy and play a significant role in preserving the state’s rich ranching heritage.  From cattle operations to wildlife conservation, the top 10 largest ranches in Arizona reflect the state’s diverse and resilient landscapes.

#1: The Aztec Ranch – 750,000 acres

The Aztec Ranch, located in northern Arizona, is the largest ranch in the state, covering an impressive 750,000 acres.  This sprawling property is known for its large cattle operations and its focus on preserving Arizona’s desert ecosystems.  The Aztec Ranch is home to a variety of wildlife, including pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and coyotes, and it has become a model for land stewardship and conservation in the region.

The ranch’s diverse landscape includes expansive grasslands, rugged desert terrain, and forested areas, providing an ideal environment for both livestock and wildlife.  The Aztec Ranch has been in operation for over a century and continues to be one of Arizona’s most iconic properties, balancing agriculture with environmental preservation.

Aztec Ranch

#2: The Circle Z Ranch – 600,000 acres

The Circle Z Ranch, located in southeastern Arizona, spans 600,000 acres of grasslands, foothills, and canyons.  This historic ranch is one of the oldest in the state, with a rich history dating back to the 1800s.  The Circle Z Ranch is known for its high-quality cattle operations, producing beef that is distributed across the country.

In addition to cattle ranching, the Circle Z Ranch is involved in conservation efforts, preserving the natural landscapes that support a variety of wildlife, including wild horses, bison, and mule deer.  The ranch is also known for its recreational activities, including hunting and hiking, making it a key destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Circle Z Ranch

#3: The Babbitt Ranches – 500,000 acres

The Babbitt Ranches, located in northern Arizona, cover 500,000 acres of diverse terrain, including grasslands, forests, and canyons.  This ranch is primarily known for its large cattle herd and its commitment to sustainable ranching practices.  The Babbitt Ranches are one of Arizona’s most successful and productive operations, with a long history of cattle farming and land management.

The ranch is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, and wild turkeys.  The Babbitt Ranches are involved in habitat restoration and conservation efforts, working to preserve the natural ecosystems of northern Arizona.  The ranch’s combination of agriculture and ecological stewardship makes it a model for sustainable ranching.

#4: The San Juan Ranch – 450,000 acres

The San Juan Ranch, located in northeastern Arizona, spans 450,000 acres of rugged desert terrain and high plateaus.  The ranch is known for its cattle operations, as well as its emphasis on sustainable land management.  The San Juan Ranch has a rich history, dating back to the early 1900s, and it continues to be a key part of Arizona’s ranching community.

The ranch’s diverse landscape includes dry desert plains, river valleys, and dense woodlands, providing a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife species.  The San Juan Ranch is committed to conservation, working to restore native ecosystems and preserve the land for future generations.  Its successful combination of cattle ranching and land stewardship has made it one of Arizona’s most respected properties.

#5: The Four Sixes Ranch – 400,000 acres

The Four Sixes Ranch, located in central Arizona, covers 400,000 acres of open grasslands and rolling hills.  This expansive ranch is known for its high-quality cattle operation and its role in Arizona’s agricultural industry.  The Four Sixes Ranch has been in operation for generations and is a cornerstone of the state’s ranching heritage.

The ranch is also involved in conservation efforts, working to preserve Arizona’s diverse ecosystems.  The Four Sixes Ranch is home to a variety of wildlife, including pronghorn antelope, bison, and wild birds.  Its commitment to sustainable ranching practices and land conservation has made it one of the most successful ranches in Arizona.

#6: The Hayfield Ranch – 350,000 acres

The Hayfield Ranch, located in southern Arizona, spans 350,000 acres of rolling hills and wide open grasslands.  The ranch is known for its large cattle herd, which is raised on the expansive pastures.  The Hayfield Ranch is also involved in crop production, with large sections of the property dedicated to hay farming.

In addition to its agricultural operations, the Hayfield Ranch is home to a variety of wildlife species, including mule deer, wild boar, and birds of prey.  The ranch is committed to preserving the natural landscapes that support these species while continuing to operate as a successful cattle and crop farm.  The Hayfield Ranch’s dedication to both agriculture and conservation makes it a key player in Arizona’s rural economy.

#7: The Elkhorn Ranch – 300,000 acres

The Elkhorn Ranch, located in the heart of Arizona, covers 300,000 acres of diverse terrain, including grasslands, hills, and forests.  The ranch is primarily focused on cattle ranching but also produces a variety of crops, including hay and barley.  The Elkhorn Ranch has a rich history and has been in operation for over 100 years.

The ranch’s landscape provides ideal grazing land for cattle, while its forests and grasslands support a wide variety of wildlife.  The Elkhorn Ranch is involved in land conservation efforts, working to restore native ecosystems and protect wildlife habitats.  Its commitment to sustainable land management has made it one of Arizona’s most respected properties.

#8: The Red Rock Ranch – 275,000 acres

The Red Rock Ranch, located in southern Arizona, spans 275,000 acres of breathtaking desert landscapes and rugged canyons.  The ranch is known for its high-quality beef and its focus on sustainable land management practices.  The Red Rock Ranch is home to a large herd of cattle, as well as a variety of wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and coyotes.

The ranch is committed to preserving the unique desert ecosystems that define the region.  The Red Rock Ranch works closely with local conservation organizations to protect and restore the land,  ensuring that the ranch continues to thrive while supporting Arizona’s diverse wildlife populations.

#9: The Apache Ranch – 250,000 acres

The Apache Ranch, located in northeastern Arizona, covers 250,000 acres of scenic desert terrain and rolling hills.  The ranch is primarily known for its cattle operations, but it also produces a variety of crops, including alfalfa and wheat.  The Apache Ranch has been a major player in Arizona’s agricultural industry for decades.

The ranch is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bobcats, elk, and wild turkeys.  The Apache Ranch is also involved in land conservation efforts, working to restore native habitats and preserve the region’s ecosystems.  Its focus on sustainable ranching practices and wildlife protection makes it one of the most respected ranches in Arizona.

#10: The Twin Peaks Ranch – 200,000 acres

The Twin Peaks Ranch, located in western Arizona, spans 200,000 acres of open desert, canyons, and grasslands.  The ranch is known for its large cattle herd, as well as its efforts to conserve Arizona’s unique desert landscapes.  The Twin Peaks Ranch is home to a variety of wildlife, including wild horses, pronghorns, and jackrabbits.

In addition to its cattle operations, the Twin Peaks Ranch is dedicated to land restoration and conservation, working to protect the desert ecosystems that support wildlife.  The ranch’s focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable ranching practices has made it one of Arizona’s most important ranches. 

Arizona’s top 10 largest ranches represent the diversity and beauty of the state’s landscapes, from the expansive deserts to the rolling hills and rugged mountains.  These ranches continue to thrive by blending agriculture with conservation, ensuring that Arizona’s natural resources are preserved for future generations.  As these ranches adapt to modern practices, they remain symbols of the enduring legacy of ranching in the American West.

More Great Top 10’s

Ranches and Maps

Ranches and maps are a symbiotic duo, intertwined by the land they seek to understand, manage, and cherish.  A map of a ranch isn’t just a static blueprint; it’s a living document that evolves alongside the land itself.  For ranchers, each line drawn is a reminder of the history woven into the landscape—a boundary marker of where cattle have roamed, a creek where they’ve watered, a path they’ve taken time and again.  But it’s also a roadmap to the future.  As seasons change, new fences are erected, and new grazing areas are charted.  The map becomes a tool to plan for tomorrow while respecting the traditions of yesterday.  Each riverbend, each shaded grove, and each rolling hill on a map holds memories of past ranchers who relied on the very same land.  It reflects their understanding of the land’s rhythms: how the soil shifts with time, how the animals move with the seasons, and how the ecosystem thrives with careful stewardship.  A ranch map is a physical connection to the land that allows the rancher to walk the same paths, to make decisions based on intimate knowledge of every inch.  For a rancher, the map holds not just geographical information, but the essence of their relationship with the land—the delicate balance between working the earth and preserving it for generations to come.  Each update to the map tells a new story, marking a moment in time where the land changes, just as it has changed countless times before.  It is a living, breathing document of stewardship, growth, and legacy.

Learn more about Maps

  • Topographical Maps:  Representation of the physical features of a region or area.
  • Contour Maps:  Representation of the contours of the land surface or ocean floor.
  • Raised Relief Maps:  Representation of land elevations with raised features indicating landforms.
  • Terrain Maps:  Representation of the physical features of a terrain or landmass.
  • USGS Topographic Maps:  Representation of topographic features and land elevations based on USGS data.
  • USGS Historical Topographic Maps:  Representation of historical topographic maps created by the USGS.
  • Watershed Maps:  Representation of the areas where water flows into a particular river or lake.
  • Elevation Maps:  Representation of land and water elevations with high precision.
  • Physical Maps:  Representation of physical features of the Earth’s surface such as landforms, oceans, and plateaus.
  • Bathymetric Maps:  Representation of the topography and features of the ocean floor.
  • NOAA Maps:  Representation of atmospheric, oceanographic, and environmental data by NOAA.
  • Nautical Maps:  Representation of the underwater features and depth of an area for navigation purposes.
  • Geologic Maps:  Representation of the geologic features of an area such as rock types, faults, and folds. 
  • Satellite Maps:  Representation of earth from high-definition satellite imagery.

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