The Kemper Campbell Ranch is the perfect place for groups. We can sleep groups of up to 48 people. Book our beautiful, secluded, desert oasis for your family reunion, “friendcation,” church group, special event or company retreat. This historic property, once a favorite retreat for Hollywood stars, musicians, authors and guests from all over the country and beyond, is now available for groups to rent at just $2,500/night with a two-night minimum.

The guest ranch was built between 1929 and 1931 from adobe bricks made by hand from clay, sand and straw found on the ranch. The red tile-capped Monterey style buildings were designed by the famed early California architect John Byers and has been featured in a number of architectural books and occasional movie in the more than 90 years since it was built. The climactic scene of Brad Pitt’s 1990 thriller, Kalifornia was filmed in the ranch’s Main House, and David Fincher’s Mank, winner of 2 Academy Awards for Best Production Design and Best Cinematography, was filmed there in 2019.

The ranch is not visible from the nearby communities of Victorville and Apple Valley. The ranch is fenced off and the entrance to it is through an electric gate. With the Mojave River on its east side, the Mojave Narrows on its north and hills on its west and south sides, the ranch is a world unto itself – quiet and calm.

The ranch’s 22 original guest rooms feature cool, comfortable interiors resulting from the foot-thick adobe bricks guarded by massive shady porches. The buildings on the ranch are beautiful and unlike anything you’re likely to have ever seen. Our 22 bedrooms have quiet, modern air-conditioning and access to Wi-Fi. Most of the guest rooms have their own bathrooms. Three 2-bedroom suites each share a bathroom between the two bedrooms.

The ranch kitchen, a commercial kitchen in its day, once put out 3 meals a day for as many as 70 guests. While somewhat showing battle scars from its decades of production, the ranch kitchen features a new commercial refrigerator, a stand-alone freezer, a dishwasher and its original large double stove with 2 large ovens. The kitchen has all the pots, pans, equipment, utensils, glasses, plates and silverware you’ll need to feed your group. Of course, if your group is not into cooking, you’re welcome to bring in a caterer.

Our three spacious dining rooms comfortably seat 56 people. The adjacent patio has seating for an additional 40 and is illuminated with soft outdoor lighting enhanced by stunning views of the Mojave River Valley and the San Bernardino mountains.
When dinner is over your group may wish to take a page from our playbook and move into the Main House living room. This massive 2-1/2 story adobe room will blow your mind with its beamed ceiling, balcony, and huge fireplace. If you’ve got a pianist in the group, step into our family’s nearly century long tradition and enjoy the moment while he or she plays our grand piano!

Just as it was during the 45 years we operated the ranch as a guest ranch, the Kemper Campbell Ranch is a destination resort. Once you’re on the ranch there is no reason to leave. While staying there you can enjoy our amenities including:

• Sports Court: You and your group can spend your days playing pickleball, tennis or basketball on our sports court;

• Swimming Pool: You and your group are welcome to cool off in our legendary 40’ X 100’ swimming pool conveniently located right next to the sports court. The pool, built in 1930, is not heated (it’s just too big for us to heat) but it’s awesome to swim in from June through September;

• Horse Stalls and Connection to an Outfitter: For those with horses, you may (by calling in advance and making arrangements with our manager) use our 9 horse stalls while you’re staying at the ranch. There are miles of fantastic, shaded trails to ride on through the cottonwood forest on the Mojave Narrows Regional Park adjacent to the ranch. If you don’t own horses but want to ride, we can connect you to a private outfitter. Please call at least 30 days in advance. The outfitter is a separate entity and will charge you separately;

• Nature Walks and Birdwatching: Birders in your group will be astonished by the huge variety birds that can be seen on the ranch. More than 250 species of birds attracted to the area by its riverine environment have been identified on the ranch and the adjacent park. The desert and neighboring park including its ponds and 800-acre cottonwood forest, offer endless trails for walking and enjoying nature;

• Gravel Bike Roads, Dedicated Paths and Trails: Guests are welcome to bring their gravel bikes to enjoy the miles of dirt roads on and around the ranch including a road leading to a dedicated bike path from the Mojave Narrows Park up the river valley to Apple Valley and Hesperia; and,

• Places to gather: In the evenings you can hang out at the pool patio and use our double Santa Maria style barbeque to feed your crew, or like our family and friends do, sit outdoors on the Main House patio and relish the incredible views. On cold days, sit by the fireplace in the spacious Main House living room.

Details on Booking and Other Matters:

1. Our rental price is $2,500/night regardless of the size of your group;

2. The maximum number of guests that we can accommodate for overnight stays is 46;

3. Our minimum stay is two (2) nights;

4. We require a damage deposit of $1,000;

5. If you would like to book a week or more, please email manager for availability as some of the "reserved" dates shown on our calendar are for cleaning and can be adjusted for your group;

6. All the rooms are airconditioned;

7. The ranch is fenced and access is limited by an electric gate that requires a code for entry;

8. The pool is not heated. Bring your own pool towels:

9. If you wish to bring your own horses or arrange for a guided ride with supplied horses, contact our manager, Peggy Shaughnessy, through this site. This should be done at least 30 days before your stay;

10. A BNSF rail line runs between the ranch and the Mojave Narrows Park. Freight trains run in both directions 24/7 and sound their horns at the ranch crossing every time they go past the ranch. Nearly everyone gets used to the sound quickly; and

11. Our high-desert weather varies considerably. Summer can range from the 80’s and in June to the 90s and low 100s from early July through mid- September. Summer evenings and nights are usually cooler and more comfortable. Fall is our best season with beautiful clear days in the high 60s to low 80s and changing foliage in the cottonwood forests. Winter days can be cold. Winter nights sometimes dip into the 20’s with daytime temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s. Once in a while we get snow. Spring is unpredictable. Many days are beautiful and clear, others are windy and cold.