Step Back in Time at KENTUCKY CAMP: Overnight in Arizona's Historic Adobe Rental

Experience a slice of history by spending the night at the 100-plus-year-old adobe rental in Kentucky Camp, Arizona. Nestled in the rugged wilderness, this rustic retreat offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the charm of the Old West.
Kentucky Camp, nestled within the breathtaking Santa Rita Mountains of southern Arizona, is a historic site that beckons visitors to explore its rich heritage and stunning natural surroundings. Originally established in the late 19th century as a mining camp, Kentucky Camp flourished during the silver boom era, serving as a vital hub for miners and their families. Today, it stands as a testament to Arizona's frontier history, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of the past.
At the heart of Kentucky Camp lies its meticulously preserved adobe structures, including a historic bunkhouse, a superintendent's house, and several other buildings dating back over a century. These structures, constructed with traditional adobe bricks, provide a tangible link to the area's mining heyday, inviting visitors to step back in time and imagine life in the Old West. Surrounding the camp, the rugged beauty of the Santa Rita Mountains offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, from hiking and birdwatching to exploring the nearby Coronado National Forest. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil retreat, Kentucky Camp promises an unforgettable experience steeped in Arizona's storied past.
VIDEO FILMED: 04/09/2024
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ • Rediscovering Ruby: Ex...
⚪ • Shadows of the Past: E...
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ KENTUCKY CAMP - www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coron...
⚪ Directions to KENTUCKY CAMP - maps.app.goo.gl/GxkX3nAhmJ9xA...
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 The Santa Ritas
03:38 The Kentucky Camp Cabin
17:40 Kentucky Camp
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ onX Offroad App - alnk.to/gKQ0FLG
⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
(As an Amazon Associate and onX Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.)
_____________________________________________________________
✅ Find us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook - @cactusatlas.
✅ Check out our website - cactusatlas.com
Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[@WillySmith-sd4em]

I'd love to visit there and stay for the night. Thanks for taking us along.

[@CactusAtlas]

Any time! Definitely an experience to have once in life. 😄

[@ritajennings334]

I used the bed you got. We had a good hike the next day

[@RidgeRider66]

Good historical content. Thank you.

[@CactusAtlas]

Our pleasure!

[@scotts3938]

Kentucky Camp is a fascinating place and it's really neat to be able to stay in a place with so much history. I really enjoyed this episode. Thanks for the explore.

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it! It was a super fun place to spend the night. 😄

[@user-hs6kv2il2q]

Please do more of these types of videos. At first it seemed so primitive (mainly because of the out house 😊). However, staying there gives a better understanding of how life was like living there. Also, walking the area and showing the area especially the building with the artifacts and history so awesome.

[@CactusAtlas]

Even though it is a but primitive in terms of indoor plumbing, it's very cozy and has all one would need for an overnight stay. Really a cool experience!

[@ritajennings334]

Stayed there 3 weeks ago with friends. I got lost, too. We enjoyed it.

[@CactusAtlas]

So cool! Love hearing that others have had opportunities to experience places like this. 😄

[@user-jj1bs2lc4t]

I went to Alamo Campground and drove silverbell sasco loop only because of your videos. Keep up the good work please. Thank you both.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks, will do! And heck yes! Love when people explore as well. Thanks for sharing! ☺️

[@kathietee291]

Interesting story! Thanks for bringing it to us. I would have never believed the magnitude of the restoration if you hadn’t shown those old pics close up, especially the headquarters building that had literally fallen down. I hope to visit there one day!

[@CactusAtlas]

Right?? It's kind of astonishing to compare. Same kind of deal with Vulture City out in Wickenburg here. We've seen fallen buildings with our own eyes and now you'd never know.

[@fredmancuso7457]

This was just great loved it thanks for sharing

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks! Glad that you enjoyed it! 😊

[@fluffyotter1601]

Beautiful….I’d love to stay there for a night or two😊 thanks

[@CactusAtlas]

Such a fun and unique experience! 😊

[@daphne8406]

It looks really charming 🤗

[@CactusAtlas]

Really an experience, isn't it? 😄

[@stuschillinger]

Going to plan a trip for next fall when it is cooler. Thanks for the video

[@CactusAtlas]

You bet! Hope you have a great trip! 👍

[@votrolacres8526]

Interesting place and a nice cabin. I could totally live in a place like that. No running water, no problem. Been there done that. Having electricity and a gas “wood” stove are luxury! As for staying for a night, it’s a bit beyond my budget but certainly a good price and great atmosphere (Once you found the inside light cords. Hahahaha) Thanks for taking us along and sharing the adventure!

[@CactusAtlas]

It's actually a pretty nice place for being "rustic." I mean, microwave? Electricity? 😅

[@kathymurphy1289]

The main building is also open and has a large fridge and kitchen

[@thehikingviking4993]

Thanks Glenn! I absolutely would and I'm going to book a trip there - I love the history but the dark creepiness sets it off for me lol. Skål 🍻

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Go for it! Would love to hear about your experience if that trip happens! 😄👍

[@patmount7609]

We stay there at least once a year for multiple nights, providing Trail Magic for AZT hikers in the Spring or Fall season. Great location!

[@CactusAtlas]

That is so nice! I love hearing this! Thank you! 😄

[@susanasalinas4273]

Looks like a lot of fun. The clouds n sunset were just gorgeous! Love the scenery. Knowing these places exist is. Glad I came. Hi Amy. Take care one and all.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! It's an easy place to not know about (we didn't for a while) so it's super fun to share gems like this one. 😊

[@mitzioden4926]

I really enjoyed this video episode. I'd like to see more like this. The history is very interesting and educational. Please continue to make more like this. Thank you!

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad you enjoyed it! We'll definitely try. 😄

[@guswatts]

We’ve gone to crown king based on your video. We always drive down the 17 to flagstaff and recall Your videos. Seems there is never enough time and weekends are so short. Thanks for this adventure.

[@CactusAtlas]

That's awesome! We love hearing about stuff like that! And 100% hear you on the time factor. Such a buzzkill, isn't it? 😅

[@RangelandRebel15]

I would most certainly book a stay there! I have made a few road trips out that way and always include places from your videos.

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome, thank you! And that's really heartwarming to hear. I hope those trips have been memorable and good ones. 😊

[@carolguezen5829]

As soon as you mentioned these were available to the public I shared your video with friends! Places and opportunities like this are exciting…for me at least

[@CactusAtlas]

😯😊🙏 Oh, gosh. That's so wonderful, thank you!

[@patbrown7813]

Another great video, Glenn. Thank you, and I'll try to visit and stay there early in 2025. I wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for you.

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Be sure to let us know if you make it out there!

[@patbrown7813]

@@CactusAtlas Will do!!! 🙂

[@mssixty3426]

I totally agree with you about Google maps, even on pavement out here in the West!

[@CactusAtlas]

Yeah... sometimes you really have to wonder just what it's thinking. You hear "Turn right" and there's no road! 😂

[@Karen-kr8nb]

I would definitely love to go to all these places that you show us but I live in London England and no way in my wildest dreams could I afford to go so the cactus Atlas is my escape from reality just keep doing what you two are doing I love every video so thanks 🤩

[@CactusAtlas]

Yeah, definitely takes a bit of time and money to visit these places from London. 😔 That said we're happy you found us and are even happier to share the American Southwest with you! 😄

[@Karen-kr8nb]

🤠

[@pennysaufley8974]

We’d love to stay there for a night. I like running water.

[@CactusAtlas]

Nice! I hope you get to one day. 😊👍

[@tacosandtea]

I'd love to stay at one of the cabins. I grew up in the area and I miss it! ❤

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, cool! Hopefully you're not too far away that you can't visit. 😊

[@tacosandtea]

I'm in Florida 😭 But my parents recently retired to southern AZ so I definitely have a chance to visit sometime

[@toddboley6987]

Been to Ruby - luckily before next weeks closure! Cant wait to get to Kentucky Camp when back to AZ.

[@CactusAtlas]

We're still gutted about Ruby closing. 😢 But I do hope you get an opportunity to visit Kentucky Camp!

[@neiljohnson4763]

Fascinating, thanks for the tour!

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! 😄

[@richardbeee]

Great place. No spooks. Hope a coyote didn't nail your tires Slim. There was a pack came through one night and peed on every tire . Terrible. Dragged that smell around for weeks. Great explore. Excellent history.

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh my, that's disgusting. 😂🤢

[@SwiftyTravels]

An interesting place! I’ve never heard of it! I would love to stay in a cabin like that- as long as the road is accessible for the car😀👍

[@CactusAtlas]

Fairly doable. I imagine you would have a blast. It's a super cool experience. 😄

[@CFarnwide]

To answer your question… yes, I would absolutely book a trip like this and am going to jump on the reservation site right now to see what my options are for that exact same cabin. 😎

[@CactusAtlas]

That's so amazing! I hope that you are able to find a date that works and have a fabulous time! 😄

[@CFarnwide]

@@CactusAtlas I’m sure we will. Off topic… if you ever travel through central Utah I highly recommend you check out the town of Eureka. Plenty of past and current events there for you to make a couple episodes 😉

[@CactusAtlas]

Love recommendations! Will keep it in mind. Thanks! 👍

[@user-zn7fp5gl6n]

I would love to stay in a place like that....I have looked for and stayed at places like this when I travel. More of an adventure.

[@CactusAtlas]

Definitely more of an adventure. Far more interesting than the usual hotels which all look alike. 😄

[@joesmith1922]

Nice video, it brought back lots of memories! Wife and I stayed there some years ago - the pack rats were very active in the walls and attic all night - it sounded like they had some coins/nails/keys/metallic objects they were working with. We left about 3 AM, it wasn't possible to sleep with all those critters so busy all night.

[@CactusAtlas]

YIKES! I can certainly see critters being a possibility. One of the drawbacks of older buildings like that. Unfortunate that they decided to keep you both up during your stay. 😢

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

One of your best episodes! I’d seen the Kentucky Camp on Arizona Trail videos but didn’t understand its significance. I’m thinking of visiting the Gila cabins in NM. I don’t know if there’s any historical significance there. It just looks like a cool setting for a mystery. Plus I think my cousins would be interested in spending some time together there.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! Might have to investigate those cabins. Sounds like it could be fun!

[@marshmallows5641]

That would be such a cool experience!

[@CactusAtlas]

A unique one for sure! 👍

[@willies330]

Very very cool

[@AlanDayley]

I agree with @neiljohnson4763, fascinating. No running water in the house. What did you do to have water in the house?

[@CactusAtlas]

There is a small sink just outside, but we bring bottled water on trips and I believe they had large water jugs inside.

[@forrestsmith2732]

Why is it called Kentucky Camp?

[@CactusAtlas]

It sits in Kentucky Gulch so it was just named after that. How that gulch got its name...? Not sure..

[@kathymurphy1289]

We stayed there 2 days it was finally a snake on the porch that we left

[@CactusAtlas]

😲

[@kathymurphy1289]

Western diamond back I stepped on it thank goodness didn't get bit. LOL but the fight was on because my disabled husband who couldn't walk at the time was on the porch so I had to convince it to go elsewhere with a broom

[@kathymurphy1289]

There's water in the sink on the back porch

[@CactusAtlas]

True. Just not inside. No flushing toilets or showers is a deal breaker for some. 😅

[@kathymurphy1289]

True but hey it's camping the old way