Researcher Complex
Research Ranch Plan Your Visit

Overnight Lodging and Classroom Rentals

How to reserve space on the Research Ranch.
Facilities
Our Ranch house, Bunkhouses, and classrooms
Fees
Costs for lodging, classroom rental, or our full researcher complex.
Amenities
We have hiking, herbariums, and wifi hotspots.

With thousands of acres of habitat, flocks of researchers, and ongoing studies in our care, we do not have the capacity to allow drop-in visitation. Access is by permit only, is limited to low-impact activities, and is not guaranteed. All visitation and lodging requests must be made at least one week in advance and are confirmed on a first-come first-served basis. To request access, please contact us at researchranch@audubon.org.  

Overnight guests must check-in by 4 p.m. and check-out by 10 a.m. Exceptions may be made for researchers. Weekend lodging is available for researchers only. 

All guests are welcome to drive or hike our Main Loop Road, bird at Headquarters, and hike our birding trail to McDaniel Wetland, but all other areas require express permission. 

Facilities

The Researcher Complex (Bunkhouse, Swinging H, Casita, and Lab) and Headquarters (main office, classroom, staff residences) are one mile apart on our Main Loop Road. 

  • Swinging H Ranch House: Six beds (five twin, one queen) in three bedrooms. Two bathrooms, kitchen, large dining and living area, room for 7 tents
  • Bunkhouse: 11 beds (twin) in five bedrooms. Three bathrooms, kitchen, modest living area, room for 7 tents
  • Casita: Queen murphy bed, bathroom, kitchenette, small dining area
  • Classroom: Capacity = 60 (classroom style) to 90 (chairs only). Overhead projector, whiteboard, kitchen, restrooms, outdoor lunch space 

Fees 

  • Day visits: FREE
  • Single Beds (you may have roommates!):
    • General public: $60 per person/night
    • Researcher: $40 per person/night (50% off after 14 consecutive days)
    • Students (undergrad or below): $20 per person/night
  • Tent Camping: Not permitted without exclusive housing rental (see below)
  • RV/Trailer Camping: Not permitted
  • Exclusive Housing Rentals (no roommates!):
    • Swinging H:  
      • General Public: $360 daily
      • Researcher: $240 daily + $20 per camper/night
      • Student groups (undergrad and below): $120 daily + $10 per camper/night
    • Bunkhouse:  
      • General Public: $660 daily + $30 per camper/night
      • Researcher: $440 daily + $20 per camper/night
      • Student groups (undergrad and below): $220 daily + $10 per camper/night
    • Full Research Complex (Swinging H, Bunkhouse, Casita, and 14 tent spaces)  
      • $1500 daily
    • Classroom:  
      • Groups of up to 30: $100 for first three hours, $25/hour thereafter
      • Groups of 31-60: $200 for first three hours, $50/hour thereafter
      • Groups of 61-90: $300 for first three hours, $75/hour thereafter 

Amenities

  • Main Loop Road: 4-mile loop road at the heart of the Research Ranch. Perfect for birding from the car
  • Birding Trail: 1.5 miles from Headquarters to McDaniel Wetland
  • Cell phones: Reception is spotty but there are boosters at Headquarters and in all guest lodging
  • Laboratory: An indoor workspace for visiting researchers
  • Wi-fi: Available at Headquarters and in all guest lodging. Due to limited bandwidth, please turn off automatic downloads and do not download or stream. If you need to download materials, participate in a training session, etc., make arrangements with staff to do so at Headquarters
  • Herbarium: Maintained at Headquarters, features approximately 1200 locally collected specimens
  • Trash & Recyclables: We do not have trash services. When possible, please pack out what you pack in!