Empire Ranch is a ranch in Sonoita, Arizona, and a filming location for Red River (1948), Last Train from Gun Hill (1959) and 3:10 to Yuma (1957) among other productions. Built in 1871, and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is owned by Bureau of Land Management.
Location: East Empire Ranch Road, Sonoita, Arizona, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Sonoita
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1764, SRC-1765 - Historic designation: National Register of Historic Places
confidence 80/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-1764, SRC-1766, SRC-6412, SRC-6413, SRC-5627 - Appeared in Red River (movie, 1948)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1767, SRC-1768 - Built in 1871
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1766, SRC-1764, SRC-7560, SRC-5627 - Owned by Bureau of Land Management
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1766, SRC-1764, SRC-7561, SRC-5627 - 22 rooms
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1764, SRC-1766, SRC-7561 - Appeared in Last Train from Gun Hill (movie, 1959)
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1765, SRC-11054, SRC-14704 - Appeared in 3:10 to Yuma (movie, 1957)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11054 - Appeared in Duel in the Sun (movie, 1946)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-12459 - Appeared in Hombre (movie, 1967)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11053 - Appeared in The Big Country (movie, 1958)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-12460 - Appeared in Winchester '73 (movie, 1950)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-12459 - Appeared in Gunsmoke (tv, 1955-1975)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11053 - Appeared in Bonanza (tv, 1959-1973)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11053
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10438 — https://empireranchfoundation.org/movies-2/movies/ (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11053 — Visit Tucson – 1960-1979 Filmography (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11054 — Visit Tucson – 1920-1959 Filmography (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12459 — Green Valley/Sahuarita Historical Society (GVRHC) — Southern Arizona Movies list (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12460 — Southern Arizona Guide — Movie Sets and Movies Shot Near Tucson (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-14704 — Wikipedia — Last Train from Gun Hill (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-1764 — Bureau of Land Management — Historic Empire Ranch (Arizona) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1765 — Arizona Daily Star (tucson.com) — Watch a classic Western on the Sonoita ranch where it was filmed (Tier 2, news_article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1766 — Wikipedia — Empire Ranch (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1767 — Empire Ranch Foundation — The Filming of Red River (Tier 2, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1768 — Bureau of Land Management — Film legends made movie magic at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Arizona (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5008 — Empire Ranch Foundation — Empire Ranch Headquarters (Tier 2, nonprofit steward; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5009 — Visit Tucson — Historic Empire Ranch (Tier 2, tourism authority; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5627 — Cienega Watershed Partnership — Empire Ranch HALS Report (HALS No. AZ-19) (Tier 1, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6412 — History Overview – Empire Ranch Foundation (Tier 3, nonprofit_steward; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6413 — Southeastern Arizona historic landmark preserved – The Gila Herald (Tier 3, news; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7560 — Empire Ranch Foundation — The Empire Ranch House (Tier 2, web; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7561 — Empire Ranch Foundation — History Overview (Tier 2, web; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Headquarters buildings & grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset; Visitor Center/gift shop open most weekends
Admission: Free
Frequently asked questions
Where was 3:10 to Yuma filmed?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, is a real-world filming location used for 3:10 to Yuma. This property has also appeared on screen in Bonanza, Duel in the Sun, Gunsmoke, Hombre.
Where was Bonanza filmed?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, is a real-world filming location used for Bonanza. This property has also appeared on screen in 3:10 to Yuma, Duel in the Sun, Gunsmoke, Hombre.
Where was Duel in the Sun filmed?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, is a real-world filming location used for Duel in the Sun. This property has also appeared on screen in 3:10 to Yuma, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Hombre.
Where was Gunsmoke filmed?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, is a real-world filming location used for Gunsmoke. This property has also appeared on screen in 3:10 to Yuma, Bonanza, Duel in the Sun, Hombre.
Can you visit Empire Ranch?
Yes — Empire Ranch is open to the public. Hours: Headquarters buildings & grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset; Visitor Center/gift shop open most weekends. Admission: Free.
Where is Empire Ranch located?
Empire Ranch is located in Sonoita, Arizona.