Iron Knot Ranch
Iron Knot Ranch
Iron Knot Ranch is a rural, fully off grid retreat center, which means solar power, very limited AC in the summer, propane heat in the winter, and no flushing toilets. We do have internet, excellent water and beautiful views, but the conditions you will encounter here are more like those found in a campground than at an urban center.
Arrival:
Shuttles will be provided from and to the Tucson Airport and Iron Knot on October 30th and November 3rd. The first thing to be aware of is the drive in. Bitter Creek is a primitive, dirt road. From the turn off on the highway it’s approximately 13.2 miles, or 30 minutes to our gate. Most vehicles have little problem making it right up to our front door, but if you have particularly low clearance you will have to slowly work your way around rocks and ruts. Good tires, a spare and a jack are musts. Top off your gas tank in Duncan or Safford so you have enough juice to get back to town.
What to Bring:
The ranch is located in "high desert" country. Once you arrive, you’ll see that our terrain is rugged! Daily life requires plenty of walking on uneven terrain. We suggest packing: - Your festive finest for a celebration processional that will happen on the day of the ceremony. Think fanciful parade attire. - A good pair of hiking shoes. - A thermos, and/or water bottle. - Sun protection! Hats, sunscreen, long sleeve shirts. - A headlamp or flashlight for getting around at night. - Any medications or supplements you require. (If you have severe reactions to insect bites etc., bring an Epi-Pen) - Comfy layered clothing. Temperature varies greatly from day into night. - If possible, please bring your own sheets and towels. - Musical instruments, art supplies, books of poetry, cameras, anything needed for the festivities. Remember a Hostess Twinkie, or the smallest sundry, is nearly a two hour round trip from downtown Iron Knot. Bring what you can't live without.
On housing, meals and community life.
You will be assigned housing in a casita, trailer, or dorm. If you are up for camping, there are many places to pitch a tent! Each casita has a bed, desk, and water. A few have electricity and WiFi. There’s a communal shower/bath house and a composting toilet (Clivus Multrim) as well as porta-potties. Headquarters, the large three-story building when you first arrive, is the central community hub and is where meals are provided. Check in with the Kitchen for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner times. During this time, meals will be prepared communally and we'll be asking everyone to help within their capacity. Please let us know if you have allergies or specific meal requirements, and, as always, remember to pitch in with cleaning the dishes.
Off-grid life:
- Iron Knot Ranch runs on solar power. Because this is a finite resource that must be carefully allocated in order to keep the ranch functioning, we ask visitors to please not bring any type of electrical appliances including hair dryers, electric teapots, and curling irons. (Appliances required for health care can be discussed with us in advance and are almost always approved.) - Also note that no electrical appliances are permitted in personal campers, unless your camper has its own batteries. Please, no generators. - Internet and wireless connection are usually available and reliable, free of charge. However, our connections may not be as fast as your connection at home. - Shower opportunities are less convenient than what you may be used to, so come prepared to get dirty. ;)
Safety Considerations:
You will likely encounter animal life here. In spring, summer, and fall, there are rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are great because they usually warn you before you get too close—just be mindful of where you step. If you see one in communal areas, alert a staff member. Please remember we try not to kill living things here. Check your shoes for scorpions before putting them on and bedding before getting into bed. Other animals may include javelinas, skunks, coyotes, rabbits, deer, and our cows. Most of these creatures want to avoid you more than you want to avoid them. We’ve had some encounters with bears and bobcats, so it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings. If you go on a hike, let a staff member know so we can track your return—some areas don’t have cell service, and your safety is a priority. The nearest hospital is 1.5 hours away in case of emergency.
Don'ts:
Due to year-round fire danger, please note that NO OPEN FLAMES of any kind, including CAMP STOVES and INCENSE are permitted on the ranch grounds. Smoking of ANY sort and recreational drugs are not allowed on Iron Knot property. Because of our livestock and other safety variables we ask that you do not bring your dog. Iron Knot is purposefully located in the middle of nowhere because it’s about as far as one can get these days from Somewhere. For all of its utility, social media is anathema to solitude. Please do your part to preserve the “hermitage” quality of this retreat land by not posting photos of the land or details of its whereabouts on any social media.
