Arivaca Junction, a remote residential community in the open desert
Arivaca Junction is a rural community about 40 miles south of Tucson, and 20 miles from Sahuarita, in the flat Sonoran Desert, tied to city life by Interstate 19. “People go [to Arivaca Junction] to be away,” says Marcus Hinojosa, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Commercial, who has over 7 years of experience. “Most people like to hunt or get out into nature, or they have animals, so they like to have some land and space.”
Residents in Arivaca Junction enjoy the peace of living in a rural community.
Arivaca Junction is part of a Sonoran Desert.
1/2
Sonoran Desert trails, horseback riding and natural hazards
Although the neighborhood has few parks, natural open spaces surround residential areas and are popular for hiking and horseback riding. Just east of the community, Dancing Spirit Equine Ranch has fenced acres and offers personal coaching and team building lessons. The Elephant Head/Anza Trail is nearby and runs for over 5 miles, weaving through washes that fill during monsoon season, which typically lasts from June 15 to September 30.
As part of the Sonoran Desert, Arivaca Junction may be at an increased risk of wildfires. The Helmet Peak Fire Department was established in 1992 to respond to fires and is equipped to respond to emergency medical calls and swift water rescues.
Arivaca Junction is a rural community surrounded by natural beauty.
The Historic Anza Trail runs through Arivaca Junction with miles of trail for residents to explore.
1/2
Properties with ranch-style homes and acreage for animals
Chain link fences outline properties with sprawling ranch-style houses. These single-story homes vary from traditional with brick facades to Spanish-inspired with adobe exteriors. “Many people own animals, chickens, horses, cattle, all types of animals, so they like to own property,” Hinojosa says. Many properties span from a quarter acre up to 1 acre, and the price of a home ranges from about $180,000 to $400,000.
Arivaca Junction homes offer carports to shade from the 300+ days of sunshine.
Arivaca Junction homes are spread out with typically at least a half acre of land.
1/2
Schools, including a high school with state-ranked student groups
Arivaca Junction is served by the Sahuarita Unified School District. Schools include Sopori Elementary, which Niche grades B-minus. Sahuarita Middle School earns a B-plus. Sahuarita High School maintains a B and has various student organizations that rank at state competitions, including the drum line and hip-hop dance teams. The district offers open enrollment, a program allowing students to apply to attend schools outside their boundaries.
Arivaca Junction students attend Sahuarita High School, which is home of the Mustangs.
The central hub of Sahuarita Middle School is surrounded by classrooms, sports fields, and shared resources.
Tennis courts and play areas at Sopori Elementary School are surrounded by natural desert terrain, blending with the landscape of Arivaca Junction.
1/3
Amado Youth Center and an annual chili cook-off
The Amado Youth Center opened in 2023 and provides after-school care and programming. It is partly supported by fundraising efforts at the annual Amado Chili Cook-off, which has raised funds for local organizations since 2010 and is hosted at The Amado Territory in mid-November. Additional entertainment includes the Randy & Rose Estes Classic Car & Motorcycle Show, live music and local artisan booths.
Children in Arivaca Junction can access the school bus to get to schools a few miles away.
Arivaca Junction offers the Amado Youth Center for before and after care for children.
1/2
I-19 Frontage Road’s local businesses and Sahuarita’s national chains
Several shops are near I-19 Frontage Road, including The Amado Market, with convenience store items, and the Amado Feed & Pet Supply store. “A lot of the places are local, family-owned and operated. People move out there and open a restaurant or a bar,” Hinojosa says. Longhorn Grill and Saloon stands out in the desert landscape with its longhorn skull entranceway and cave-like exterior with petroglyphs. Indoors, wood paneling creates the backdrop for karaoke nights and hearty meals. “You also have a Dollar General, but Arivaca Junction is relatively remote unless you go to Sahuarita, which has many of those commercial amenities,” Hinojosa says, referring to the national retailers, additional restaurants and Sprouts Farmers Market in that area. Green Valley, about 10 miles away, has a Safeway.
The Amado Market in Arivaca Junction is locally owned and gets busy with residents utilizing it daily.
Locals in Arivaca Junction rely on Dollar General for a wide variety of goods.
1/2
Accessing other countries by driving down Interstate 19 or flying
Interstate 19 ties Arivaca Junction to Tucson International Airport, about 35 miles north. Nogales is on the Mexico-United States border and is about a 32-mile drive south.
Written By
Lauren Melton
Photography Contributed By
Kristen Rademacher
Video By
TJ Wengert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brent Self,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Great opportunity to own this 3 bedroom/ 2 bath home that sits on .26 acre. and large storage shed, mature trees. lots of space to make your own. New HVAC system. Dual Pane windows. Carport with storage. No HOA.
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
