Sunglow Ranch

By Donna L. Hull


Not far from here, in the foothills of the Chiricahuas, sits an eco-friendly destination that should be on every Tucsonan’s radar. Along with a large dose of relaxation and beautiful scenery, the Sunglow Ranch serves up organic foods and environmental education.

The eco-minded mountain retreat features individual casitas clustered around a flagstone courtyard with views that would inspire anyone to become environmentally friendly. Situated on 400 acres of grassy meadows and forested hills, Sunglow offers nature watchers a prime spot for viewing deer, turkey and whatever else might stop by for a drink at the small lake on the property.

Room rates include breakfast and a three-course dinner at Sunglow Café, where manager Susan Nunn has turned delicious eating into a lesson on sustainable agricultural practices. “We try to use only what’s in our area and what’s in season,” she says. In fact, the organic greens are grown just outside the kitchen door — you don’t get more locally grown than that. Nunn even grinds the organic grains on-site for her hearty homemade bread.

However, even when the food can’t be sourced locally, Sunglow uses only the best ingredients. The steak? That’s hormone-free, grass fed beef from Kansas, the closest producer Nunn can find to meet her high standards. And the salmon served at Sunglow is wild-caught and flown in from Alaska.

The green emphasis extends to environmental practices like composting organic food scraps, chemical-free cleaning products and recycling. Water harvested from casita roofs is used for landscape irrigation.

There is plenty to do off the resort’s grounds too, including exploring the Chiricahua National Monument, approximately 16 miles away. Bonita Canyon Road climbs through the monument to Masai Point, elevation 6,870 feet, where rows of rock formations seem to march down the mountainside like stone soldiers. A hike along 3.3-mile Echo Canyon Loop Trail provides a closer look. Just arrive back at Sunglow in time for dinner where green never tasted so good.


Sunglow Ranch is located roughly three hours southeast of Tucson at 14066 S. Sunglow Rd., Pearce, Ariz. For information or reservations call 866.786.4569 or visit SunglowRanch.com. Sunglow Ranch and Sunglow Café are closed for the summer and will reopen in September.