Explore what the Sanctuary
has to offer
This secluded, wilderness sanctuary and guest ranch is located on 330 acres of beautiful Sonoran Desert adjacent to Alamo Lake. The sanctuary is surrounded by thousands of acres of Wilderness and Public Lands (BLM). It is located 2.5 hours from Lake Havasu, 3.5 hours from Phoenix and a 4 hour drive from Las Vegas.
The sanctuary's isolation provides abundant wildlife, stars, silence and an environment of wonder and introspection; it is a place to unplug from society and a fast-paced life.
For thousands of years the area was the home to indigenous cultures. From 1910-1940 there was a "pick and shovel" manganese mining operation. From the 1970's until 2000 it was home to a survivalist family compound. Our goal is to restore the biodiversity of the area which was damaged by the removal of flora and fauna by its 20th century inhabitants.
Accommodations
Our first campground is open for retreats and features safari tents, restrooms/showers, BBQ rings, as well as hook-ups for a limited number of RV hookups. We are renovating the houses and other structures provide additional guest accommodations and group meeting spaces. It is our future goal to provide wheelchair access to as much of the property as possible, so everyone can enjoy the serene wilderness environment. First priority is given to our retreats. Second priority is given to organizations who would like to book for their own retreats. All other times, guests and volunteers are invited to bring a tent, RV, or rent one of the Safari tents, with all proceeds going directly to the Anderson-Arroyo Foundation (501c3). Groups, please refer to our contact page. Individuals can book through Hipcamp.
Botanical Garden
In March 2024 we received two major donations of plants and cacti. The first donation came from a private garden at Voelker Studios, in loving memory of Chris Voelker. This donation consisted of thousands of pounds of cactus cuttings and a giant South African Mountain Aloe! Then we received an incredibly donation of Sonoran Desert trees and shrubs from a commercial grower in Phoenix Arizona. And our GoFundMe campaign brought in a dozen additional trees! To install the botanical garden, a group of volunteers from a "heart-centered" leadership group in Europe, traveled to the Sanctuary and spent a week planting! It was so much hard work, but the foundations have been laid for an incredibly garden with shade trees and pollinators, local cactus species and proven non-natives (non-invasive). We will continue with a new planting every spring. Come volunteer and join us! If you wish to donate or become a sustaining member please visit the donation page on this website. This is just the beginning and we need you to help us grow!
Spiritual Sanctuary
Spiritual Sanctuary is our philosophy of a lifestyle directed by sacred intention. By combining spiritual practices and a mindfulness approach to all aspects of living, we expand what is sacred beyond the walls of the cathedral/temple/mosque and into every aspect of life. We can recreate our lives, our homes, and our communities as spiritual sanctuaries. The Sonoran Desert Sanctuary lives this philosophy through our actions, organic gardens, vegetarian menus, a philosophy of non-violence, and a mindful approach to decision making. We invite you to participate with us on this journey as a retreat participant, an individual seeking solitude, or as a volunteer. Everyone is welcome.
Permaculture and Land Regeneration
A permaculture plan is in place to restore the land and make smart use of precious water resources. A Sonoran Botanical Garden will feature meditation gardens, hiking trails, group retreat space and a labyrinth. The sanctuary will be self-sustainable; it will feature edible landscaping and utilizing state-of-the art aquaponic container farming for agriculture to provide fresh organic produce for guests. Totally off of the grid, the property is powered by wind and solar. The drinking water supply comes from a crystal clear well.
Follow the story of the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary as it unfolds!
The Anderson-Arroyo Foundation is committed to healing trauma; the trauma suffered by individuals, as well as the earth-based trauma of abused landscapes and other-than-human species. Through land regeneration projects and collaborative wilderness retreat programs, our goal is to help heal the earth and its inhabitants, side by side, hand in hand.
Our goal is to provide Spiritual Retreats for Veterans, first responders, and other trauma survivors on their journey through PTSD and Moral Injury.
Group Retreats:
Group retreats will be offered beginning in the spring of 2024. Collaboration takes place with a number of guides from a variety of different backgrounds and faith traditions. Contact us to be added to the email list. We are also eager to work with you to plan a custom retreat for your organization or group of friends and colleagues.
Individual Retreats:
For those who desire individual spiritual direction, or self-organized time of contemplation and solitude, the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary can tailor to your needs.
Jen has her Master's Degree in non-denominational Ministry and Spiritual Leadership and a Ph.D. in Practical Theology. Her focus is Spiritual Direction and working with people challenged by PTSD and Moral Injury. Jen specializes in spiritual direction and wilderness guiding and combines the two for a unique experience of healing and transformation.
Jen is a native of the Sonoran Desert, originally from Tucson Arizona. In addition to her theological background, Jen proudly brings her experience as a logistics coordinator and her hands on skills as a commercial truck driver, heavy equipment operator and vegetarian chef. Over covid, Jen had the honor of apprenticing to be a bee keeper. "Building this sanctuary takes participants and volunteers who are willing to bring ALL of their skills to the table and learn new skills on the fly."
The Sonoran Desert Sanctuary will be accepting bookings for Fall of 2025. The proceeds go towards supporting The Anderson-Arroyo Foundation.
Features of the land work beautifully for nature based experiences:
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Alamo Lake activities include kayaking, fishing and diving (underwater ghost town)
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Migrating birds flock during spring/fall, migrating bats in the summer
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Exceptionally dark night skies for star gazing
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Desert cactus, flora and fauna
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Hiking, mountain biking and other outdoor sports
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Unlimited space for artists, healers and spiritual seekers
The sanctuary will model sustainable living through organic, sustainable food sources and education. The Sonoran Desert Sanctuary will be providing much of the fresh produce for guests. Retreats centered around sustainable agricultural practices, sustainable foraging, native herbalism and vegetarian cooking classes will be offered. Recipes from the Sanctuary kitchen will be posted on the Sanctuary's blog.
Right now we are hoping to plant as many trees for the orchard as possible, as well as paint some of the farm structures. Your donations will help make that possible!
We are officially a BEE RESCUE operation! Our beekeeper has rescued seven hives in residential areas that would have been exterminated. We did the math and we can handle at least 40 hives in the 20 acres that the Sonoran Desert Sanctuary has set aside for bees! For the bee sanctuary to be fully operational we need monetary donations for the hive boxes and flowering plants, trees and herbs to help support the bee population. Every little bit will help whether it is $10 for a native sage or $200 for a hive box. If you believe in the rescue of bees and feel called to be a sponsor of our Bee Sanctuary, please contact us at sonorandesertsanctuary@gmail.com. Our sanctuary is a 501c3 non-profit and donations are tax deductible.
A Brief Tour
Contact
Sonoran Desert Sanctuary
PO Box 143
Yucca, AZ 86438
sonorandesertsanctuary@gmail.com
Tel: 310-717-7812