The terrain here tells the story of millions of years of geological history. Mostly level red soil covers the southeastern portion of the 37-acre property, while a gentle rise in the northwestern corner provides an elevated vantage point overlooking the surrounding badlands. Various seasonal streambeds cut through the landscape, creating natural channels that come alive during monsoon rains and add character to the topography. At 5,800 feet elevation, you'll enjoy cooler temperatures than the Phoenix valley while still experiencing abundant sunshine—approximately 275 days per year.

What sets this property apart is the combination of dramatic desert scenery with genuinely practical access. Excellent maintained roads run right to the property via N6631, and standard 2WD vehicles with sedan clearance can reach the property without difficulty. You're only 2.5 miles from Highway 191 and just 19 miles (25 minutes) from St. Johns, where you'll find a full-service hospital, grocery stores, gas stations, and all essential services. This is remote living that doesn't sacrifice accessibility—you can stock up on supplies and be back at your property within half an hour.

Property Highlights:

• 37 acres of Painted Desert terrain with red soil and rock formations
• Arizona State Trust Land borders the entire southern boundary
• Level terrain in the southeast with a gentle rise in the northwest corner providing views
• Excellent road access via maintained dirt roads—2WD/sedan clearance vehicles sufficient
• Only 2.5 miles from Highway 191
• 19 miles (25 minutes) to St. Johns for all essential services
• Various seasonal streambeds create natural water channels during wet periods
• 5,800 feet elevation provides cooler temperatures and lower humidity than Phoenix valley

Location & Access: This property offers a rare combination: true desert seclusion with convenient access to both highways and services. Highway 191 is just 2.5 miles away, providing quick connections north to I-40 or south to Highway 60. St. Johns (25 minutes) offers everything you need for rural living—hospital, Safeway, Dollar General, hardware stores, restaurants, and gas stations. For major shopping and additional services, Show Low is 1 hour 15 minutes away. Phoenix sits 4 hours 20 minutes to the southwest if you need big-city amenities or want to visit family.

The property is accessed via N6631, a maintained dirt road that reaches right to the property boundary. Unlike many remote desert properties that require high-clearance 4x4 vehicles, this land can be reached with standard 2WD cars and sedans under normal conditions. There are washes along the route that may require caution during heavy rains, but the road system provides reliable year-round access for typical vehicles.

Public Land Access: The Arizona State Trust Land running along your entire southern boundary is one of this property's standout features. With an affordable annual recreational permit ($15-20 available online), you can access thousands of acres of public land directly from your property for hiking, hunting, ATV riding, and exploration. BLM land lies just one parcel to the west, further expanding your recreational opportunities. This effectively gives you control over a vast recreational territory while only owning—and paying taxes on—37 acres.

Hunting & Wildlife: Your property lies within Game Management Unit 2A, specifically the St. Johns Elk Hunt Area, where over-the-counter tags are available. This is serious hunting country—elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes are all commonly seen in the area. The combination of private land holdings and immediate State Trust Land access means you can hunt right from your property with the proper permits, or explore thousands of surrounding public acres during hunting season. The seasonal streambeds that cross the property create natural wildlife corridors, particularly attractive to elk and deer seeking water during dry periods.

Climate & Seasons: At 5,800 feet elevation, this property enjoys a high-elevation semi-arid climate that's considerably more comfortable than the Phoenix valley. You'll experience approximately 275 days of sunshine annually—perfect for solar power systems and outdoor recreation. Summer highs average 87°F with cool nights dropping to the mid-60s°F, providing comfortable sleeping weather even without air conditioning. Winter temperatures are moderate for the region, with highs around 46°F and lows averaging 19°F. The area receives approximately 13 inches of annual precipitation, primarily during winter months (October through February) and summer monsoon season (July through September), with an average of 20 inches of annual snowfall.

Building & Development: This property is zoned A-General (Agricultural General), providing maximum flexibility for how you use your land. Apache County specifically welcomes alternative building methods including earthships, tiny homes, cordwood construction, rammed earth, and cobb—you just need to submit engineered plans for review. Traditional site-built homes, modular homes, and manufactured homes (15 years old or newer) are all permitted with one dwelling per parcel. Guest houses are allowed on parcels of 5 acres or more, giving you options for hosting family or generating rental income.

RV living is permitted if connected to an approved septic system, and incidental camping is allowed as an accessory use—perfect for weekend trips while you plan your permanent structure. There's no minimum building size requirement, making this ideal for those interested in tiny house living or other alternative dwelling options.

Utilities: This is off-grid property, which means you'll need to plan for self-sufficient systems—but the terrain and climate make this very achievable. The area sits above aquifers that typically yield water at around 180 feet depth, making well drilling economical for the region. Many property owners in Bonito Valley Ranch have successfully drilled wells at these depths. Alternatively, you can haul water from St. Johns (25 minutes away) if you prefer to start with that approach while planning a more permanent water solution.

For electricity, solar power is highly effective here with 275+ sunny days annually and minimal tree cover to create shade. The elevation and low humidity also mean your solar panels will operate efficiently even during summer months. Many off-grid residents in the area use solar power as their primary electricity source, sometimes supplemented with a backup generator for extended cloudy periods or high-demand situations.

Bonito Valley Ranch POA: Annual dues are $280, which covers road maintenance—this is why the roads to the property are in such excellent condition compared to many remote desert areas. The covenants are reasonable and focused on maintaining a peaceful residential/recreational environment. There are no architectural review requirements, no restrictions on RVs or alternative structures, and no minimum building timelines.

Nearby Recreation: Beyond the exploration opportunities on your property and the adjacent State Trust Land, you're positioned near several major recreational areas. Petrified Forest National Park is 1 hour away, offering world-class hiking through ancient petrified forests and colorful badlands. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest lies 1 hour 50 minutes to the south, providing over 2 million acres of forested mountains for camping, hiking, and fishing. Lyman Lake State Park (41 minutes) offers boating, fishing, and water recreation—a nice contrast to the desert landscape surrounding your property.

The property's location in the Painted Desert makes it ideal for photography enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates dramatic geological landscapes. The multicolored rock formations, seasonal washes, and ever-changing light create constantly evolving scenery throughout the day and across seasons.

Boundary lines shown are approximate and based on GIS aerial mapping for visual reference. Exact property lines may vary slightly and can be verified with a professional survey if desired.

PRICING - - - -

Cash Price: $33,400

Owner Financing Available:

• Down Payment: $6,000
• Monthly Payment: $519.72 for 72 months (0% interest)
• Total with Financing: $43,420
• 3% ACH processing fee added to monthly payments
• No prepayment penalties—pay off early anytime

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.