The Kemper Campbell Ranch is ideal for family and school reunions, company retreats, church groups, “friendcations” and all manner of friendly group get-aways. Our charming adobe guest rooms, situated in a surprising, beautiful, secluded, desert oasis in the Mojave River Valley, offer climate-controlled comfort and old-California charm. Once a get-away spot for Hollywood stars from Groucho Marx to Greta Garbo and a secluded and inspiring setting where Herman Mankiewicz wrote Citizen Kane, and still a working cattle ranch, the historic and renewed Kemper Campbell Ranch is available for just $2,500/night with a two-night minimum for any sized group of up to 48 people.

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 Wi-Fi access. Three 2-bedroom suites each share a bathroom between the two bedrooms, while the remaining 16 guest rooms each have their own bathrooms.

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, 6 burners and a large griddle. 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:

• 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;

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

• 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 48;

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 have modern climate controlled heat and air conditioning;

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

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 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.