Kentucky Camp is a small ghost town. It’s maintained by the US Forest Service within Coronado National Forest.
Planning your Journey
Your car’s navigation will not get you here. That’s because the town is located off forest service roads in Coronado National Forest.
During good weather you should have no issue making it there in a car although probably prudent to use an SUV or truck. The roads are dirt and occasionally wash out or have small holes.
Directions: You start with a scenic drive down Arizona State Highway 83 south towards the town of Sonoita. The road will slope down into a valley just after Mile Marker 38. You turn West onto Gardner Canyon road in this valley. Fish Canyon Road comes up in just under a mile. This is the first turn to the north. Take Fish Canyon road for 5 miles until you have reached the parking area for Kentucky Camp. The road will take you through a short stretch of private land.
Signs will indicate you have reached Kentucky camp parking area above the town. A short walk down the hill is the ghost town. The town has a US Forest Service assigned caretaker.
The town is not large. Plan on spending about an hour walking through the old hotel and equipment building. You can also hike down the canyon to find areas where the mining operation once took place.
Rental Cabin: This town is a unique experience. There is also a cabin you can rent through the forest service should you desire to stay overnight. You must reserve your time through the Forest Service Prior to your visit should you desire to do that.
Scenic Drive: After your visit consider finishing off your scenic drive south along Highway 83. This will eventually take you into the town of Patagonia and onto Nogales, Arizona.
There are several fine restaurants along the way. One of my favorite is Steak Out in Sonoita. If you leave early enough you can visit one of the many wineries in Sonoita as well.