Ruby

Tucked near the base of Montana Peak within the Pajarita Wilderness of Santa Cruz County, Arizona, Ruby is a ghost town that began in 1877 as a mining camp under the name Montana Camp. It sits roughly 25 miles west of Rio Rico and just 7 miles from the Mexico–United States border, giving it a remote, edge-of-the-country feel that persists today.

Visitors come to walk through the remnants of a once-active mining settlement and take in the rugged surrounding landscape. The site is reachable by passenger car, making it accessible without specialized vehicles, though the roads leading into this corner of Santa Cruz County are characteristically rural.

Because of its southern Arizona location close to the international border, visitors should be aware of seasonal heat and check current access and land-use conditions before heading out. Spring and fall tend to offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the grounds.