Caballo Loco Ranch

To follow up on last. Found beautiful camo site just 35 miles away that is great. This place as a first timer I'd thought might be the way it is? It's not! Caballo ranch is a true nightmare with homeless type people, brown water, partial electric. And downright nasty people. Saw police escort a man who was leaving because the owner and helper were harassing him badly, and a pit bull bit his puppy and owner blamed him. I was shocked this Betsy lady released her pit bull to attack this man. He left so fast he left his home, 5th wheel and ATV there.. I still feel bad for that guy, he was a nice disabled veteran who owner treated badly. Stay away from this place at all costs.

Nightmare, wolf's in sheep's clothing. Had horrible experience with owners. Required police escort to leave due to owner's harassment. Even police wanted to leave because Jim the owner wouldn't stop screaming at us. Beware of these wolf's in sheep's clothing. I'm not alone with this feeling, many leave after a few days because nobody follows rules and place has an evil feeling. Lost over 15k because I walked away from a small home, ATV, and 5th wheel. Owner's Michelle and Jim are extremely mean, and you'll find out. If you like to drug and drink all year around you'll have plenty of company.. I feel dirty even making a review. Good luck.. make sure you've got spare tires, 8mile road in is horrible with sharp rocks and you'll get flats from time to time...

CLR is not for everyone. If you love wide-open spaces, awesome views, a relaxed atmosphere, and thousands of acres of public lands to explore, you may love it despite the negatives.
My wife and I wintered over here in 2020-21. Covid-19 restricted the social life and many group activities.
Caballo Loco Ranch (CLR) is an off-grid working cattle ranch / RV park hybrid. It’s not a traditional RV park. CLR is oriented to horses and ATVs. It’s very informal, welcoming and friendly, with a large contingency of boondockers. Many of the residents have wintered here for 15-20+ years.
The attractions are the very remote location, the low monthly rates, the incredible mountain and sunset views and the many, many miles of horse / hike / ATV / Mountain Bike (MTB) trails. The riding opportunities vary from mountains and foothills to rolling desert, with hundreds of old mines and other attractions, besides just the sheer beauty of the Sahuarita Mountains and the Sonoran desert.
From October through May, a large generator provides 30A service to the entire facility from 9am to 9pm daily. You must be energy independent overnight. The water system for the sites is gravity-fed, and inadequate pressure varies from zero to about 20#. Further, the water is saturated with lime, which encrusts fixtures and quickly coats kettle bottoms. We used lots of vinegar to clean with, and I purchased a PUR pitcher and used the lead reduction filters to reduce the amount of lime in our consumable water. The filters only lasted 12-14 days, but it was still cheaper than buying bottled water. I reviewed the State water tests held by the owner, and no testing has been done on the water supply beyond bacteria.
There are many dry camping sites spread around the ranch, and there are about 30 full-hookup and a few electric only sites. Sites with utilities are arranged in terraced rows on a hill side. Mostly level sites all have a stunning view to the West. Depending on the terrain of the specific area, these sites are spacious or medium-close. Reasonably clean facilities include a bath shower house, small laundry, game room, library, WIFI room, and a community center that normally hosts movies, game nights, and pot-luck suppers weekly. Mail and all carriers deliver to the ranch.
Boondocking sites are reserved years in advance. Reservations for any visit are essential, along with arranging your arrival within office hours.
The negatives: (1) Just getting here requires driving 8 miles on a very rough dusty dirt road from Hwy 286. At minimal speeds this road will literally shake the screws loose in your camper. (2) It is 40+ miles to the nearest full Grocery. (3) Diesel generator: Depending on your site location and the wind direction, the noise and exhaust smell can be minimal or a major issue. Boondockers avoid this by being removed from this entire area. (4) The Farm: It’s a working cattle ranch, so the smells of manure are on the wind. (5) Septic smells: All the boondockers bring their portable waste tanks down to a dump station located amongst the camp sites. This steady traffic, along with air leakage from the septic pipes can fill the air with septic odors for much of the day. (6) Camp fire smoke that’s not always wood being burned: Most sites don’t have fire rings; but anyone with a burn container can burn. The smells can be Ok or terrible depending on what’s put in those fires. (5) Dust: This is the desert, and all the roads are dirt, so dust is a major issue. One must be resigned that dust will get into everything, and be with you constantly. (6) Connectivity: CLR provides WIFI that’s only available in and near the WIFI room & the laundry. Cellular service is spotty depending on carrier. Some folks get nothing. Verizon worked everywhere for us, whether in camp, in the mountains, or in the desert, and with a booster and directional antenna, cellular data was available. The ability to have cellular data varies site by site, no matter what equipment is used.

From the first phone call the owners were very nice and gave me accurate info. Beautiful facility with amazing sunrises and sunsets. Everyone in the office has been friendly and helpful. Totally off grid though there is 2 wells on the property for everyone to use. A clean dump site for those not on full hook up. Powered by generator. Dry campers need to provide their own power. Quiet community.
I highly recommend CLR. Seniors only.
You can check out Bob Wells video on Caballo Loco.

8 miles of extreme washboard. Saw a vehicle that had blown a tire three miles in. Not recommended for anyone without a heavy duty off-road rig.

8 mile washboard road not maintained with pointy sharp rocks. Car with flat was parked to the side. Spot had poop and trash around it. Camp sites dirty with people drinking their beer. No a friendly environment. Dogs off lease and many people breaking rules. We left early because we wanted to star gaze, but lights were bright and not turned off at 9 as rules stated. So we went not far away to a much better place. Site not maintained and no friendly, bad vibe from this place and the people. Had police escort to move due to pitbull attack and owners harassment. They claim I never called as its now public record. They'll lie about you call you rude names as Shelly owners wife has done. Opening themselves up for a slander lawsuit. So ill provide one police case number that you may verify yourselves. Case # 240408140 badge #9602 April 17 2024. Also pitbull attack handled by Sgt. Himpe at 520.724.5991.I've still got 20 months to take legal action. I live over 1000 away and really don't want to ever see them again. Yet they continue to lie on social media. So I'm providing case number and public records info for you...

CABALLO LOCO RV RANCH

Disclosure: I am not receiving any compensation for this review and am writing this to tell others about this wonderful, unique, remote ranch that I live on.

I came to the ranch in 2022 and absolutely love this gorgeous remote ranch surrounded by thousands of BLM acres where I am allowed to be my unique self without having to fit a cookie-cutter mold.

OWNERS

Jim and Michele are some of the nicest, kindest, and most loving people that I know. 

In my opinion, they offer inexpensive full hookups or dry camping to help their fellow humans more than to make a large profit. They could probably charge much more than they do, but instead choose to keep the prices low so that it helps those who wish to have inexpensive RV rental lots.

They are often willing to allow people to be unique instead of fitting into a cookie-cutter mold. 

From my experience, Jim and Michele are very approachable and willing to discuss special needs that someone may have, and if possible, they often try to meet those special needs.

They have huge hearts and take pleasure in helping others. 

LOTS

I believe daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly rates are available.

Full Hookups: Offer electric, water, and sewage, but summer hours are limited. Contact the ranch for more details.

Dry off-grid: This is what I prefer. It often offers more remoteness and is less expensive than full hookups. I provide my own electric and utilize the black tank dump, well water fills, and trash dumpster provided by the ranch.

ELECTRIC

If you figure out how to utilize solar, that is the best method to use. Generators take fuel, and that can be expensive in addition to being noisy. There are local sellers that offer cheap used solar panels, so if you buy a solar generator or wire up your own solar, it is possible to live a comfortable off-grid life.

Some of the solar panels are sold locally, and some are located a few hours away. San Tan Solar is a few hours from the ranch, and they offer new and used panels and even pallets of panels at very cheap prices. I've often seen them offering sales and even free shipping!

So even if you prefer full hookups, you can utilize the power provided by the ranch generator during the winter months and buy some solar to use during the six months when it is not running full time. I have personally run an AC utilizing solar power, so it is very possible.

RIGS
  
Unique rigs are allowed on the ranch. There are or have been motorhomes, campers, truck campers, toy haulers, step-vans, cargo vans, cargo trailers, and race trailers, to name a few. My understanding is that rigs must receive permission from Jim and Michele prior to being accepted, with the main criteria being that they are pleasing to the eye and self-contained. Contact Jim and Michele for more detailed information. 

REMOTENESS

The remoteness of the ranch adds to its uniqueness and provides for many outdoor activities, including:
ATV riding
Hiking
Horseback riding
Rock collecting
Landscape and nature photography

The ranch is very remote due to being located 8 miles within and completely surrounded by thousands of beautiful Arizona BLM acres. 

Many of the ranch lots are in the beautiful mountains, but there are some lower down for the bigger rigs.

BEAUTY

The rugged mountain beauty of the ranch is amazing. Wilderness BLM mountains surround the ranch and often turn a pastel purple during the amazing sunrises and sunsets. These special, glorious sunsets and sunrises are soul food for the eye and spirit.
   
I love the mountain views, sunsets, and sunrises.

ELEVATION

3,900 feet 

RANCH AMENITIES

Propane fill station
Gravity-fed, propane-fueled, hot showers
Flusing toilets
Black water dump station
Trash dumpster
Well water fill stations
Clubhouse for events such as movie nights, dances, band music, holiday feasts, etc.
Mail delivery: USPS, UPS, FedEx
Library
Pool: The pool table is often used in the evenings, and I often hear the laughter and shouts of glee as they play.
Darts: In the clubhouse
Free table: In the clubhouse. This is an area where others give away things they no longer need.

PETS

On-leash, well-behaved dogs are welcome. I've also seen cats and even a pet goat! Of course, you must ask for permission prior to bringing them.
    

ROAD

The 8-mile BLM wilderness road into the ranch has no houses, businesses, or any other signs of civilization. It is a bumpy, washboard dirt road that can be rough on tires. But if you travel slowly, it isn't bad. The owners also grade it.

I love the road because it keeps the ranch uniqly isolated, and civilization out. It discourages people who want city living.The road keeps civilization out, and the small village and close-knit community spirit are alive and well at the ranch. 

I feel the bumpy dirt road is what keeps the ranch and its village people so special. In my opinion, if the road were paved, then the ranch might be drastically changed for the worse. I saw this happen on the remote farm that I grew up on. Once the road was paved, the rural area was invaded by city commuters, and the old-fashioned, Walton-type close-knit farm neighborhood disappeared and was replaced with city people who did not want to know the neighbors. Crime also invaded once the road was paved.

SHOPPING

The nearest place to buy anything is in Three Points, which is 31 minutes and 19 miles away. Once there, you can shop at a convenience store and get supplies, gas, propane, etc. There is also a hardware store, and I believe there is a Mexican restaurant in that area.

The city of Tucson is about an hour's drive from the ranch.

Many ranch people shop online at Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc. to purchase many items they need and have them delivered to the ranch using USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

SAFETY

The community is safe, small, and friendly. I have never found a safer place than this, with people willing to help one another. It is basically a small village, and neighbors often watch out for their neighbors.

SUMMARY

I could go on and on about how wonderful Caballo Loco RV Ranch is. It is not perfect, but it has been one of the most unique, beautiful, safest, and friendliest places that I have lived. 

It is a small village where many people have lived here for years and care for other people. Most people here are self-sufficient, rugged, outdoor, friendly, unique, and caring. For those who wish to live here year-round, it is best to put on your pioneer suit and dig in. For those in dry camping, you must provide your own electric. For those in full-hookups, you must provide most of your electricity for about six months out of the year. 

I love the beautiful ranch, the owners, Jim and Michele, and the kind, rugged people who make up this amazing village.

Horrible road for nearly 8 miles. If there had been an opportunity to turn around, we would have. Passed one vehicle that had blown a tire three miles in from the highway. Would not the om end unless you have a heavy duty off-road rig.