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Pine Historic Ranch: A Glimpse into Arizona's Past

Explore Pine Historic Ranch: A preserved 20th-century cattle ranch in Arizona's Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

Pine Historic Ranch, nestled in the Arizona Strip within the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, offers a window into the lives of early 20th-century cattle ranchers. The site features preserved buildings and landscapes that tell the story of the Mathis family and their ranching operations in this remote region.

A brief summary to Pine Historic Ranch

Local tips

  • Visit during the early morning or late afternoon for the best lighting for photography.
  • Bring water and snacks, as amenities may be limited in the area.
  • Check local weather conditions before visiting, as temperatures can vary widely.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Pine Historic Ranch is located on the Arizona Strip, accessible via Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Road 103. From St. George, Utah, take South River Road and head south on BLM 1069 for 22 miles. Continue south on County Road 5 for 16 miles, then turn right onto County Road 103 for 30 miles. Turn left and drive for 1 mile; the ranch will be on the right. Be aware that roads in the area may be unpaved and require a high-clearance vehicle. There are no fees for general visitor activities.

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Discover more about Pine Historic Ranch

Pine Historic Ranch provides a tangible link to Arizona's ranching heritage. Located on the Shivwits Plateau within the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, the ranch exemplifies the small, family-owned cattle operations that once thrived in the isolated Arizona Strip. Wallace Mathis established the ranch around 1918 near Pine Spring, a reliable water source. His son, Carl, further developed the property in the 1920s, constructing essential structures like stock tanks, fences, and corrals. From the 1930s to the 1960s, Reed Mathis and his family managed the ranch, running cattle seasonally. The Mathis family sold the ranch before 1970, and it eventually came under the management of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Today, Pine Historic Ranch is disused but stabilized as a cultural heritage site. Visitors can explore the remnants of the ranch, envisioning the daily lives of those who worked the land and raised cattle in this challenging environment. The surrounding landscape offers stunning views and a sense of the isolation that defined life on the Arizona Strip.

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