Ryan Ranch Ruins
Explore the weathered walls and remnants of an old ranch, offering a glimpse into desert history with scenic valley views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the desert heat
Ryan Ranch Ruins
Best Time
Beat the desert heat
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the weathered walls and remnants of an old ranch, offering a glimpse into desert history with scenic valley views.
"A great short hike with historical ruins and nice views, perfect for families and photographers."
💧 Bring Plenty of Water
Essential for this desert hike. Stay hydrated to enjoy the ruins and views.
📸 Great Photo Ops
The ruins and rock formations make for stunning pictures. Capture the history!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ryan Ranch Ruins
Off Amboy Road
Explore the remnants of an old ranch, including standing walls and a fallen windmill. A step back in time in the desert.
Scenic Rock Formations
Along the trail
Discover easily climbable rock formations offering excellent photo backdrops and panoramic valley views.
Old Pumphouse & Windmill
At the ranch site
Imagine life in the past with the preserved pumphouse and the fallen windmill, adding to the historical ambiance.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Hydration is Key
Capture the History
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💧 Bring Plenty of Water
Essential for this desert hike. Stay hydrated to enjoy the ruins and views.
📸 Great Photo Ops
The ruins and rock formations make for stunning pictures. Capture the history!
👟 Easy & Kid-Friendly
A flat, short trail perfect for families and casual hikers.
🚗 Access via Amboy Rd
The ruins are a short walk from the road. Easy to find.
Tips
from all over the internet
💧 Bring Plenty of Water
Essential for this desert hike. Stay hydrated to enjoy the ruins and views.
📸 Great Photo Ops
The ruins and rock formations make for stunning pictures. Capture the history!
👟 Easy & Kid-Friendly
A flat, short trail perfect for families and casual hikers.
🚗 Access via Amboy Rd
The ruins are a short walk from the road. Easy to find.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Ryan Ranch Ruins to be a worthwhile and easy stop, offering a glimpse into the area's history with its well-preserved ranch remnants and scenic views. The short, flat trail is particularly praised for being kid-friendly and accessible for all ages. While the site is appreciated for its historical value and photographic potential, some may find it too brief for those seeking a longer hiking experience.
"A short 1/2 mile hike from the road to the old ranch house. Very flat terrain that is kid friendly. But bring water!
Along the trail are some rock formations that can be easily climbed and provide very good photo opportunities.
After about twenty minutes you will come across the old ranch. The walls of the ranch are still standing and are a great backdrop for photos. The view of the valley is very nice from here. There is also an old pumphouse and a windmill that has fallen over. You can try and imagine how the place used to look and function.
We had a very good time in the hike and along the trail.
Definitely a trail worth taking!"
Michael Hillman
"Great short trail in the park. Perfect for kids since the grade is mellow and the length is short. More experience hikers will want to check out longer options."
C C
"Nice and easy trail from road side to the remnants of the ranch. Children can do this walk with you."
SL K
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Ryan Ranch Ruins are located off Amboy Road in Twentynine Palms, California. It's a short, flat hike from the roadside parking area.
Yes, there is roadside parking available near the trailhead for the Ryan Ranch Ruins. It's a convenient starting point for the short hike.
No, you'll need to park along Amboy Road and take a short, approximately 1/2 mile hike to reach the Ryan Ranch Ruins.
The closest town is Twentynine Palms, California, which is home to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. +1
While often visited by those exploring the Joshua Tree area, Ryan Ranch Ruins are located outside the main boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park, accessible via Amboy Road.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, there is no admission fee or ticket required to visit the Ryan Ranch Ruins. It's an accessible historical site.
The hike to Ryan Ranch Ruins is free of charge. You can explore the historical site without any cost.
The ruins are accessible at any time, as it's an outdoor historical site. However, visiting during daylight hours is recommended for safety and visibility.
Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon is ideal to avoid the peak desert heat and enjoy more comfortable temperatures for your exploration.
While technically accessible, visiting at night is not recommended due to the lack of lighting and potential safety concerns in the desert environment.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The hike to the ruins is about 1/2 mile each way, and exploring the site itself typically takes around 20-30 minutes, making it a great short stop.
No, the trail is very flat and easy, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It's considered a very doable walk.
There are no facilities, including restrooms, at the Ryan Ranch Ruins site. It's advisable to use facilities in Twentynine Palms before you go.
You can see the standing walls of the old ranch house, an old pumphouse, and a fallen windmill. The views of the valley are also notable.
While some rock formations along the trail can be climbed, it's best to exercise caution and avoid climbing on the historical structures of the ranch itself to preserve them.
📸 📸 Photography
The standing walls of the ranch, the old pumphouse, the fallen windmill, and the surrounding rock formations all offer excellent photographic opportunities.
Yes, the elevated views from the rock formations and the expansive valley scenery provide great potential for landscape photography.
Golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset, offers the most dramatic lighting for photography at the ruins.
Drone usage regulations can vary, especially near military bases like Twentynine Palms. It's best to check current regulations before flying a drone in the area.
There are no specific restrictions on personal photography at Ryan Ranch Ruins, but always be respectful of the historical site.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
🚶♀️ Casual Hikers & Day-Trippers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the History of Ryan Ranch
The site also features remnants of its operational past, including an old pumphouse and a windmill that has long since fallen. These structures hint at the vital role water played in sustaining life and agriculture in the arid landscape. Exploring these elements allows visitors to piece together the story of the ranch and its place in the history of Twentynine Palms.
While the exact history of the Ryan family and their time at the ranch is not extensively documented in popular travel content, the visual evidence left behind provides a compelling narrative. It's a place that encourages contemplation and a deeper appreciation for the pioneers who shaped this region.
The Amboy Road Experience
Along Amboy Road, you'll encounter other points of interest that contribute to the desert adventure. While not directly part of the Ryan Ranch Ruins, these nearby attractions, like the Amboy Salt Flats, add to the overall allure of the region. The road serves as a gateway to these less-traveled, yet rewarding, desert destinations.
For those coming from or going to areas like Joshua Tree, Amboy Road provides an alternative route that offers a different perspective of the desert. It's a reminder that the beauty of this region extends beyond the national park boundaries, with hidden gems like the Ryan Ranch Ruins waiting to be discovered.
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