Pearce

Travel Guide

If tourists truly want to see Tombstone, you need to visit Ringo’s Grave, too. It’s a must-see.
 A lonely place, dark and sullen under a giant five-stemmed blackjack oak. You might not believe in Old West lore, but you are heedful when you approach it.

It’s the place where John Ringo died. The tree where he supposedly shot himself in the head with his Colt .45, ending an apparently troubled life.

In front of the tree on the west side of Turkey Creek near the Chiricahua Mountain foothills is a body-length cairn with a scratch-worded epitaph:

“The remains of this noted gunman and outlaw lie here . . . A coroner’s jury reported the death to be suicide, and Ringo was buried on the spot. There were others who viewed the body and maintained that the July 13, 1882 death of Ringo was murder.”

Ringo the legend has had more extravagant claims about him than Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James and Buffalo Bill combined, writes author Jack Burrows in “John Ringo: The Gunfighter Who Never Was.”

There is a feeling he was “a coward and a backshooter,” Duhanich says. “But he did stand up to Doc Holliday.”

Area newspapers, including those in Tucson, bought the Ringo myth of him being a deadly gunslinger, but the closest he apparently came to killing anyone was when he got mad at a guy in a Safford bar who declined his offer of whiskey for a beer. Ringo shot him point-blank, but hit only his ear.

His judged suicide may be the most compelling story. He was cradled in the tree, the rifle placed carefully against it, boots hanging nearby on his saddle. And he was partially scalped.

One rumor was Wyatt Earp was after him. But the close range angle of the bullet to the right temple clearly indicated the wound was self-inflicted.
If tourists truly want to see Tombstone, you need to visit Ringo’s Grave, too. It’s a must-see.
 A lonely place, dark and sullen under a giant five-stemmed blackjack oak. You might not believe in Old West lore, but you are heedful when you approach it.

It’s the place where John Ringo died. The tree where he supposedly shot himself in the head with his Colt .45, ending an apparently troubled life.

In front of the tree on the west side of Turkey Creek near the Chiricahua Mountain foothills is a body-length cairn with a scratch-worded epitaph:

“The remains of this noted gunman and outlaw lie here . . . A coroner’s jury reported the death to be suicide, and Ringo was buried on the spot. There were others who viewed the body and maintained that the July 13, 1882 death of Ringo was murder.”

Ringo the legend has had more extravagant claims about him than Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James and Buffalo Bill combined, writes author Jack Burrows in “John Ringo: The Gunfighter Who Never Was.”

There is a feeling he was “a coward and a backshooter,” Duhanich says. “But he did stand up to Doc Holliday.”

Area newspapers, including those in Tucson, bought the Ringo myth of him being a deadly gunslinger, but the closest he apparently came to killing anyone was when he got mad at a guy in a Safford bar who declined his offer of whiskey for a beer. Ringo shot him point-blank, but hit only his ear.

His judged suicide may be the most compelling story. He was cradled in the tree, the rifle placed carefully against it, boots hanging nearby on his saddle. And he was partially scalped.

One rumor was Wyatt Earp was after him. But the close range angle of the bullet to the right temple clearly indicated the wound was self-inflicted.
Autumn along Ash Creek. #Bestof5
Beautiful fall foliage along Ash Creek in Coronado National Forest. #Bestof5
Just us and the open road on our way to the Chiricahua National Monument. 
Absolutely beautiful and worth the trip just to even drive on the open road with no traffic and awesome countryside and breathtaking views. #roadtrip
 Sunglow Retreat

Sunglow Retreat

Pearce AZ
Stay at this guesthouse in Pearce. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attraction Keeling Schaefer Vineyards is located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (54 reviews)
The house was lovely with a great view of the mountains. It was clean inside and out, and had lots of outside seating, which we enjoyed. The kitchen was well equipped too. The hosts were responsive and helpful. It was a quiet and peaceful retreat in a beautiful setting. And it is approx. 40 minutes ...

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Sunglow Retreat
Scenic Birders & MTN Delight 25ACRE Ranch 735WK~ 3 Ghost Town 3 Natl Parks Wi-Fi

Scenic Birders & MTN Delight 25ACRE Ranch 735WK~ 3 Ghost Town 3 Natl Parks Wi-Fi

Pearce AZ
Stay at this holiday home in Pearce. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a water park and a garden.
10/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
We loved the location of Hummingbird Ranch, providing quiet, privacy, dark skies, and a comfortable stay central to birding in Willcox and at Whitewater Draw. The house was very clean, the bed very comfortable, and the kitchen well supplied. Renee was very good at communicating with us, from directions ...

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Scenic Birders & MTN Delight 25ACRE Ranch 735WK~ 3 Ghost Town 3 Natl Parks Wi-Fi
Luxury townhome nestled in the foothills of the historic Cochise Stronghold

Luxury townhome nestled in the foothills of the historic Cochise Stronghold

Pearce AZ
Stay at this holiday home in Pearce. Enjoy laundry facilities, an in-room coffee maker and air conditioning.
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
Overall, the stay was just okay. It wasn’t terrible, as we were out most of the day and primarily needed a place to sleep. However, the listing photos do not accurately reflect the property in person, and some advertised amenities were missing, such as a hair dryer. While this wasn’t a major issue, ...

Reviewed on 14 Dec 2025

Luxury townhome nestled in the foothills of the historic Cochise Stronghold
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Scenic Birders & MTN Delight 25ACRE Ranch 735WK~ 3 Ghost Town 3 Natl Parks Wi-Fi

Scenic Birders & MTN Delight 25ACRE Ranch 735WK~ 3 Ghost Town 3 Natl Parks Wi-Fi

Pearce AZ
Stay at this holiday home in Pearce. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a water park and a garden.
10/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
We loved the location of Hummingbird Ranch, providing quiet, privacy, dark skies, and a comfortable stay central to birding in Willcox and at Whitewater Draw. The house was very clean, the bed very comfortable, and the kitchen well supplied. Renee was very good at communicating with us, from directions ...

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Scenic Birders & MTN Delight 25ACRE Ranch 735WK~ 3 Ghost Town 3 Natl Parks Wi-Fi
Luxury townhome nestled in the foothills of the historic Cochise Stronghold

Luxury townhome nestled in the foothills of the historic Cochise Stronghold

Pearce AZ
Stay at this holiday home in Pearce. Enjoy laundry facilities, an in-room coffee maker and air conditioning.
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
Overall, the stay was just okay. It wasn’t terrible, as we were out most of the day and primarily needed a place to sleep. However, the listing photos do not accurately reflect the property in person, and some advertised amenities were missing, such as a hair dryer. While this wasn’t a major issue, ...

Reviewed on 14 Dec 2025

Luxury townhome nestled in the foothills of the historic Cochise Stronghold
Lovely Wine Country Birders Delight 25 Acre Country Ranch/Amazing Hiking Getaway

Lovely Wine Country Birders Delight 25 Acre Country Ranch/Amazing Hiking Getaway

Pearce AZ
Stay at this holiday home in Pearce. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities.
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Peace and quiet is what we needed. It was better than wonderful. Hummingbirds, Quail, so many other birds. The sweet sounfs of a horses neighing. Just GREAT!

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2025

Lovely Wine Country Birders Delight 25 Acre Country Ranch/Amazing Hiking Getaway
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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