Our Story

Jesus Arvizu, owner of Cocoraque Ranch, riding a horse and holding a lasso, with cattle in the background.
"Black and white photo of cowboys roping cattle at Cocoraque Ranch, with mountains in the background and dust swirling around."

JESUS ARVIZU

Owner

The tale of Cocoraque Ranch is one of rich history, western heritage, and a passion for sharing the cowboy lifestyle with others. As Jesus Arvizu, the owner and operator of Cocoraque Ranch, puts it:

“I started the dude ranch business back in 1999. My main goal is to have my guests experience the western, cowboy lifestyle. The freedom we feel when we are out on the range is unthinkable, and we strive to pass this onto our guests.”

Jesus Arvizu is a Tucson native and third-generation cattle rancher whose ancestry traces back to Nacosari and San Pedro de la Quierva, Sonora, Mexico. As an avid roper and genuine cowboy, Jesus brings authenticity and deep-rooted knowledge to every aspect of Cocoraque Ranch.

Our ranch’s story, however, begins long before Jesus took the reins. Cocoraque Ranch was homesteaded in the 1890s by Oscar Robles Sr.’s grandfather, making it one of the oldest working cattle ranches in Southern Arizona. The ranch is a testament to the region’s complex history, having been part of a large Mexican land grant before becoming U.S. territory after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

Located in the Avra Valley, approximately 7 miles west of the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, Cocoraque Ranch spans an impressive 16,000 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert. Our land is steeped in history, from ancient Hohokam petroglyphs to the days of Apache encampments and U.S. Cavalry arrivals.

The heart of our ranch is the historic Cocoraque Ranch House, a two-bedroom, 1200 square foot burnt adobe home built in the 1890s. This “casita” offers spectacular views of saguaro-studded landscapes and serves as a gateway to the Old West for our guests.

Since opening our doors to visitors, we’ve expanded our offerings to include a wide range of authentic western experiences. From cattle drives and trail rides to rodeos and jeep tours, we provide a true taste of cowboy life. Our Cocoraque Pavilion has become a sought-after venue for events, offering a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities.

At Cocoraque Ranch, we’re not just preserving history – we’re living it. Every day, we work to maintain the traditions of the American Southwest while sharing the freedom and beauty of ranch life with our guests. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a glimpse into a bygone era, we invite you to become part of our continuing story here at Cocoraque Ranch.

Cocoraque Ranch

jearvizu@msn.com

Jesus Arvizu, owner of Cocoraque Ranch, riding a horse and holding a lasso, with cattle in the background.
"Black and white photo of cowboys roping cattle at Cocoraque Ranch, with mountains in the background and dust swirling around."
"Corporate team on UTVs at Cocoraque Ranch, preparing for desert tour"
Three people riding horses through the desert landscape at Cocoraque Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, with distant mountains in the background.
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Sonoran Desert at Cocoraque Ranch, where towering saguaro cacti meet rugged mountain peaks
Ancient petroglyph featuring geometric patterns etched into a large rock at Cocoraque Butte
View of Cocoraque Butte, a rocky hill covered in cacti and desert vegetation, with a wooden fence in the foreground.
Petroglyphs etched into the rocky surface of Cocoraque Butte, surrounded by desert vegetation
Close-up of an ancient petroglyph depicting a labyrinth-like design, etched into a rock surface at Cocoraque Ranch
A man in a cowboy hat and work clothes closely examining ancient petroglyphs on a large rock.
Two men in traditional cowboy attire, one pointing in the distance and the other sitting on a rock, under a bright blue sky.
"A person sitting on a rock with a backpack, overlooking the vast desert landscape and mountain range of Ironwood Forest National Monument in Arizona."