Copper Cactus Ranch Closes - Men Only

gaymen2
Jul 24
4 min read

Hi Friends,

Copper Cactus Ranch is a clothing optional, men only retreat located one hour east of Phoenix, Arizona hidden in the Superstition Mountains foothills. Our 40-acre ranch is next to Tonto National Forest and the famous Elephant Butte near Queen Valley.

Call 520-231-5034 for reservations.

Sadly, Copper Cactus Ranch has been shut down by the County awaiting some major upgrades and new permits. This process is going to be very costly, in excess of $300,000 to $500,000 to become compliant. This process could take a few months to open our doors again. Our mortgage is currently still on track to be completed.

These projects include: Larger Septic System, 2 Phases of Electrical Upgrades, Kitchen Upgrades, ADA Compliance Upgrades, Commercial Swimming Pool (in-ground) and Commercial Hot Tub (in-ground)

We have organized our new foundation (Copper Cactus Wellness Foundation Inc.) to accept tax free donations, so this foundation can assist us in upgrades and operations, as well as helping other organizations with men’s wellness projects. Besides donations, we are also contacting some potential investors to make these goals accessible. If you are interested in helping us with these issues, being an investor or tax free donor,

please email: rich.coppercactus@outlook.com or themen@coppercactusranch.com

We continue, imagining and nurturing our community's culture, rooted in compassion, and mutual respect between men who identify as men, whether straight, gay, bi, or trans.

We are not coming to the end of an era— we are struggling to survive the most difficult part.

The next part will include fixing what’s broken, reflection, healing, and our readiness to build something better, truer and more permanent. The end of this era will include how we become stronger.

Thank you, Rich Homan and Bobby Cook

VISIT CCR

Copper Cactus Ranch is a clothing optional, men only retreat located one hour east of Phoenix, Arizona hidden in the Superstition Mountains foothills. Our 40-acre ranch is next to Tonto National Forest and the famous Elephant Butte near Queen Valley.

Call 520-231-5034 for reservations.

YEARLY MEMBERSHIP

Required with your first reservation each year. Purchase your membership when you reserve or when you arrive for a day pass.

$30 per calendar year.

DAY PASS

Visit our 40-acre property and enjoy the amenities for just $20 per day (10am-10pm). Yearly Membership is required.

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John Bellamy Comments: Hamilton Hall Men Only Retreat

I am sad to see this venue having to go through so much to get it to be legal and licensed by the county as a safe place to visit. Clearly it needs some major upgrades to be able to stay open as it has - it appears, been closed by the county until the work is undertaken. That is quite serious stuff. To be closed by the county.

What many do not realise when they open such venues, IT IS A BUSINESS - and as much as you make it your personal 'play thing' - and while working long hours 7 days a week, it takes a professional head in charge and not a 'fly by night' who thinks it is all about having fun - as fun comes with a price tag and these charges need paying . How many people buy a bar in Spain and assume it runs itself to discover they are working all hours God sent and at the end of the season they have very little to show for all their hard work.

It takes complete commitment. Mind, Body and Soul. And tons of money.

This cannot have come as a surprise to them as they must have known the various legal requirements - just as I did here at Hamilton Hall - and I wouldn't have thought to open if anything was not exactly legal and 'ship shape.' I also had enough of my own monies, besides buying the place with no mortgage - to make sure everything was ' up to legal standards' before I even opened and to make is as presentable as I personally would like to find it.

This is not the first time I have come across a gay mens venue that is not up to standard and has been forced to spend a LOT in upgrades to be able to legally open.

I wish them well in raising the amount of money they are looking for - but up to half a million $ - good luck with that.

Hamilton Hall, right from the beginning, was fully legal. Central heating. Double glazed. Fully equipped and with all the legal requirements to enable us to open and become one of the most famous Men Only Hotels in the UK - and actually - known about all over the world.

It takes guts and it takes money. It takes passion and the desire to offer something great and different like Copper Ranch. It takes someone special to deal with the gay crowd and it takes someone who can handle the negative input you will receive from those who envy. And believe me, there will be those who will attempt to destroy simply out of jealousy. The LGBT community is not a community at all, it is a mish mash of groups that don't particularly get on together and anyone bigger, harder and faster will be resented. Anyone offering something, even for free, will at some time face the evils of the few and this stops, this halts, so much good work from being done because the few spoil it for the rest.

Hamilton Hall recently celebrated 25 years in business, all legal, all above board, and all here for your safety, good will and friendship.

Copper Cactus Ranch clearly has a lot to do, a lot of money to raise and a great deal of good will to carry forth and I wish them the very best of luck. What I offer at HH depends on how much we can afford and how much people are willing to pay to attend, and with many expecting / wanting discounts, we struggle financially.

Believe me guys, until you run your own venue, you absolutely have no idea how much work and expense is involved.

I'll keep you posted as to if and when Copper Cactus Ranch will re open.