Ash Fork, Northern Arizona
Smith Butte Ranch
204 acres of Arizona high desert at 5,000 feet, held privately for two decades as a dark sky sanctuary and now offered as a residential and hospitality opportunity.
Buyers & Investors Welcome
01 · The Opportunity
The Opportunity at a Glance
204 Acres
A contiguous high desert landholding west of Williams near Ash Fork, Arizona, reached through a 30 minute traverse of untamed trails.
Offered at US $1,495,000
A rare opportunity to acquire a fully private Arizona ranch already positioned for a residential and hospitality program.
5,000 Feet Elevation
Juniper and pinyon pine, sagebrush and agave, cooler air and long views across open country.
Off Grid by Design
Solar arrays with propane backup power the restored Founders Cabin and are planned for each future residence and amenity.
Certified Dark Sky Setting
Two decades of stewardship by a Harvard astronomy alumnus who chose this land specifically for the clarity of its night sky.
Nearly Turn-Key
An existing two-bedroom cabin and a 1970s Airstream sit on site, usable while a larger plan takes shape.
02 · The Land
Untamed, and entirely private
West of Williams, near Ash Fork, Smith Butte Ranch unfolds across Arizona’s high desert in near-total seclusion. Reached by a 30-minute journey along rugged trails, the property reveals rolling ridgelines, sculpted buttes, and an expansive landscape of juniper, pinyon pine, sagebrush, prickly pear, yucca, and agave. Elk, mule deer, turkey, fox and bobcat move through the land, while hawks and eagles circle the open sky. Here, privacy is not created by gates or walls, but by distance, terrain and the rare privilege of having wilderness in every direction.
03 · The Seller’s Initial Vision
Our vision. Your possibilities.
The seller originally envisioned Smith Butte as a secluded retreat combining thoughtfully designed cabins, shared amenities, and an intimate connection to the land. That concept represents one direction for the property. The buyer defines its next chapter.
01
Cabins Across the Landscape
The initial concept imagined modern cabins on generous parcels, with chef’s kitchens, indoor and outdoor living spaces, and decks beneath an expansive sky. A buyer could explore a private residence, a family compound, or a collection of guest cabins.
02
A Quieter Way to Explore
The seller’s concept placed parking at the perimeter, with walking trails and electric off-road carts connecting the property. A future owner could consider an approach suited to their needs, from equestrian trails to ranch roads and private access routes.
03
Gathering & Retreat
A pool, sauna, cedar hot tub, gardens, and communal kitchen formed the heart of the original vision. These ideas could inspire a place for family gatherings, a wellness retreat, or a private escape with amenities chosen by its next owner.
04
Trails & a Sky Deck
The initial vision included hiking and mountain biking trails and a summit Sky Deck for celestial viewing. Future possibilities could include horseback riding routes, scenic overlooks, or a private observatory that continues the ranch’s connection to astronomy.
What would you create here?
A horse or cattle ranch. A private sporting retreat, hunting property, or game farm. A secluded family compound or private estate with an underground shelter. A yoga, meditation, wellness, or psychedelic retreat. An artist’s haven, recording retreat, or writer’s hideaway. An off-grid homestead, conservation sanctuary, guest cabins, or glamping escape. A base for outdoor adventure, or simply a cabin beneath the stars.
Download the Feasibility StudyThese possibilities are illustrative. As with any land development, feasibility and approval requirements depend on the proposed use, density, and design. Buyers should verify that their plans comply with applicable zoning, property restrictions, infrastructure requirements, and permitting.
Robert “Bob” Ayers, original custodian of Smith Butte Ranch
04 · Dark Skies
A sky chosen, not discovered
The ranch's seclusion produces a sky dark enough that the Milky Way stretches uninterrupted overhead. That clarity captured the heart of the late Robert Ayers, a Harvard astronomy alumnus who spent more than two decades as steward of this land. In 2016, Lowell Observatory named asteroid 25154 "Ayers" in his honor.
"I started to look for dark sky sites. I checked out many locations in north Arizona. I ended up buying all of Smith Butte, Arizona. I have been using it as a dark sky site."
05 · The Dwellings
The Founder’s Cabin
+ 1970s Airstream Argosy
Built by Bob Ayers. Restored in his honor.
Derrick Grahn, CEO of The Coveted Group, restored and remodeled the cabin, preserving its original footprint and framed walls. In this remote setting, the restoration took years, continuing the patient work Bob had begun decades earlier. Today, the off-grid, two-bedroom cabin offers a welcoming retreat with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
Grahn also added a 1970s Airstream Argosy, connected directly to the septic system and the cabin’s solar power. Thoughtfully designed with sleeping space for four, it awaits finishing touches to the interior and adjacent outdoor kitchen. Both dwellings enjoy expansive views, creating two distinct places to experience the quiet and beauty of Smith Butte Ranch.
06 · Location
One hour from the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Sedona
West of Williams, near Ash Fork, in Yavapai County, Arizona. Access is by unpaved trail, roughly 30 minutes from the nearest paved road. Exact coordinates and access detail are shared with qualified purchasers.
Marker shows the general area only and is approximate.
Driving Distances
- Williams, AZ
- 45 min
- Lowell Observatory
- 1 hr
- Schultz Creek Mountain Bike Trail
- 1 hr
- Peavine National Recreation Trail
- 1 hr
- Prescott, AZ
- 1 hr 15 min
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walnut Canyon National Monument
- 1 hr 15 min
- Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
- 1 hr 30 min
- West Fork Oak Creek Trail
- 1 hr 30 min
- Arizona Snowbowl
- 1 hr 30 min
- Trail of Time, South Rim
- 1 hr 35 min
- Wupatki National Monument
- 1 hr 40 min
- Grand Canyon
- 1 hr 40 min
- Sedona, AZ
- 1 hr 45 min
- Petrified Forest National Park
- 2 hr 40 min
- Phoenix, AZ
- 2 hr 45 min
- Las Vegas, NV
- 3 hr 15 min
07 · Reels
Instagram Reels
08 · The Offering
Two Ways Forward
Smith Butte Ranch presents two distinct opportunities: acquire the property outright and determine its future for yourself, or participate in the development of the community envisioned for the land.
Offered at US $1,495,000
Acquire Smith Butte Ranch in its entirety and take ownership of a rare expanse of private Arizona high desert. The property offers the freedom to pursue your own vision, whether that means creating a private estate, family retreat, recreational ranch, conservation holding, hospitality concept, residential community, or simply preserving the land largely as it stands, subject to applicable laws, entitlements, and land-use requirements.
The opportunity is straightforward: own the land, control its future, and decide what comes next.
Property documentation, access detail and investment materials are shared following an initial conversation.