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.
Location: East Empire Ranch Road, Sonoita, Arizona, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Sonoita
confidence 70/100 · 2 recorded source groups · SRC-1764, SRC-1765 - Historic designation: National Register of Historic Places
confidence 80/100 · 5 recorded source groups · SRC-1764, SRC-1766, SRC-6412, SRC-6413, SRC-5627 - Appeared in Red River (movie, 1948)
confidence 70/100 · 2 recorded source groups · SRC-1767, SRC-1768 - Built in 1871
confidence 90/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-1766, SRC-1764, SRC-7560, SRC-5627 - 22 rooms
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-1764, SRC-1766, SRC-7561 - Appeared in Last Train from Gun Hill (movie, 1959)
confidence 90/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1765, SRC-11054, SRC-14704 - Appeared in 3:10 to Yuma (movie, 1957)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11054 - Appeared in Duel in the Sun (movie, 1946)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-12459 - Appeared in Hombre (movie, 1967)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11053 - Appeared in The Big Country (movie, 1958)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-12460 - Appeared in Winchester '73 (movie, 1950)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-12459 - Appeared in Gunsmoke (tv, 1955-1975)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-10438, SRC-1768, SRC-11053 - Appeared in Bonanza (tv, 1959-1973)
confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · 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
The entries above show the sources and confidence scores recorded in our fact ledger.
Source tiers are internal classifications, not guarantees of accuracy or independence.
Several sources may repeat the same underlying account; a source count alone does not establish independent corroboration. 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
How is Empire Ranch connected to 3:10 to Yuma?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, has a documented connection to 3:10 to Yuma. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include Bonanza, Duel in the Sun, Gunsmoke, Hombre.
How is Empire Ranch connected to Bonanza?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, has a documented connection to Bonanza. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include 3:10 to Yuma, Duel in the Sun, Gunsmoke, Hombre.
How is Empire Ranch connected to Duel in the Sun?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, has a documented connection to Duel in the Sun. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include 3:10 to Yuma, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Hombre.
How is Empire Ranch connected to Gunsmoke?
Empire Ranch, in Sonoita, Arizona, has a documented connection to Gunsmoke. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include 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.