Most raw land this far out in the Painted Desert gives you one option for electricity: produce your own. This 40-acre parcel gives you a second option: power lines run along the entire southern boundary. You can plan a home tied to the grid, a solar setup with grid backup, or something in between. From the property you can see the Painted Desert's colorful rock formations to the east and the open country toward Petrified Forest National Park to the south and west. There's no HOA, POA, or covenants, so the plans are yours to make.

The Land
The property sits at about 5,720 feet in Apache County, Arizona, a short drive from the small community of Chambers. It's open, bare high desert that rises gently toward the west at about a 3.1% grade. That western high ground is the natural place to build, since it sits above the rest of the parcel and faces the rock formations to the east. A seasonal wash runs north to south along the eastern border. It's a dry, sandy channel through much of the year and carries runoff after the summer monsoon storms.

Power, Water, and Septic
Having power at the property line makes a fully powered build far more practical than on most desert land in this area. Navopache Electric Co-op can give you connection requirements and a cost estimate for your specific build site. Water is off-grid. Wells in the area typically run about 300 feet deep. Many owners also start with a cistern and hauled water. Wastewater is handled by septic, which requires a perc test and a county septic permit.

Building and Zoning
The property is zoned A-General. That zoning allows one single-family dwelling, modular home, or manufactured home per parcel. Manufactured homes must be 15 years old or newer, installed by a licensed installer, and built to local snow-load requirements. Because the parcel is over 5 acres, a guest house is also allowed. Apache County accommodates alternative construction, including cordwood, rammed earth, cob, earthships, and tiny homes.

Full-time RV living is permitted once the RV is connected to an approved septic system. Incidental camping is allowed as an accessory use, which helps while you plan a permanent build.

Separately from the zoning, there is no HOA, POA, or set of covenants on this property. No dues and no architectural committee.

Getting There
There are two routes in, and the LandID interactive map below shows both in detail.

From the west: Take Old Route 66 to Sweetwater Ranch Road. The property is 4.3 miles from Old Route 66 and 6.5 miles from I-40 Exit 320. The final stretch can follow established ranch roads, but their legal status hasn't been confirmed. The other option is the legal access easements along the property boundary lines. About ¾ mile of road would need to be bladed along those easements.

From the east: The property is 3.9 miles from I-40 Exit 325. This route crosses a large wash.

All roads in are dirt, and washes along the way can be affected by rain. A high-clearance vehicle and dry-weather visits are recommended. This access takes some planning, and it's also part of why the area stays quiet. Contact us and we'll walk you through both routes before you head out.

What's Nearby

• Chambers: about 11.5 miles (22 minutes)
• Gas and convenience: Shell in Chambers, about 15 minutes
• Gallup, NM: about 60 miles (1 hour), the regional hub for healthcare and larger stores
• Winslow: about 75 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) for major shopping

Recreation and Public Land
Petrified Forest National Park is about 25 minutes away, with Painted Desert overlooks and petrified log trails within easy reach for a day trip. BLM land is just one parcel away to the north and the west, so public land for hiking and exploring is close by. Pronghorn antelope and rabbits are commonly seen in the area. Lyman Lake State Park offers fishing in the region. Hunting is permitted in this part of Arizona with the proper Arizona Game and Fish licensing and tags. With little development nearby, the night skies are dark and clear.

Climate
This part of Apache County has a semi-arid, four-season high desert climate. July highs average around 82–87°F, and nights cool into the low 60s. That's a big change from the heat in Phoenix or Tucson. Winter days are crisp and bright, with highs from the upper 30s to low 50s. January nights can drop into the single digits, and the area averages about 20 inches of snow a year. Expect roughly 275 sunny days a year, low humidity, and about 13 inches of annual precipitation. Most of that falls during the July–September monsoon, when afternoon thunderstorms bring a burst of green to the plateau. The sunshine also makes solar a practical companion to the grid power at the property line.

PRICING

Only $24,900 Cash

Owner financing is also available with just $5,000 down and $368.03/month for 72 months ($31,498.16 total).

Annual property taxes: $67.24 (2026)

At Ashbrook Land Company we perform extensive research into all of our properties before listing them, but it is ultimately the buyer's responsibility to perform their due diligence before purchase. The information provided on this page is, to the best of our knowledge, correct, and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All prospective buyers are encouraged to contact the county to confirm legality or feasibility of any future development plans. Rural, undeveloped land can be dangerous due to terrain, weather, and poor or non-existent road access and calls for caution when visiting. Ashbrook Land Company will not be held responsible for any action or outcomes by visitors to a property of ours. We make no warranties or representations about the land, its condition, or what can be built on the property. Property lines in photos and the LandID interactive map are approximate and for visual purposes only. GIS/aerial maps vary slightly from actual property boundaries.