Contact NAU Hat Ranch

Email:
HatRanch​@nau.edu
Call:
(928) 523-6429
Hat Ranch Lodging, Event, and Camping Reservations Link

Northern Arizona University’s
Hat Ranch

Hands-on Research and Education Opportunities

With assistance from a generous philanthropic gift to the NAU Foundation, Northern Arizona University acquired the historic Hat Ranch near Williams in April 2021. Located 70 miles south of the Grand Canyon, the ranch will provide research, teaching, and outreach opportunities for faculty, students, and partners. The Hat Ranch was established in the early 1800s and includes roughly 300 scenic acres and a variety of well-preserved period buildings. It is partially surrounded by more than 1,500 acres in conservation easement held by the Grand Canyon Trust.

The ranch is encircled by Kaibab National Forest and is nestled between ponderosa pine forest and piñon-juniper woodland. The land’s rich history of human use dates back to pre-Columbian times, making it a unique site to examine human impact on the environment. The ranch is a social-ecological focal point that both exemplifies and reflects a powerful meld of the past and the future.

NAU Hat Ranch Rental Options and Rates

Main House, Duplex, and Multi-Room Rentals Accordion Closed

Main House, Individual Areas:

  • Ponderosa Room: Spacious with 2 twin beds. No attached bathroom (uses Bath House).
    • NAU Department/Internal: $55 per night
    • General Public: $110 per night
  • Piñon Room: Cozy with 2 twin beds. No attached bathroom (uses Bath House).
    • NAU Department/Internal: $50 per night
    • General Public: $100 per night
  • The Bazy Room: Very spacious with large windows and gorgeous views, 1 king bed, private bathroom.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $98 per night
    • General Public: $195 per night
  • Bixler Suite: 2 attached rooms – 2 full beds and 2 twin beds, and 1 shared private bathroom.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $103 per night
    • General Public: $205 per night
  • Meadow View Suite: 2 rooms, 2 twin beds, 1 full bed, shared private bathroom and living room area.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $124 per night
    • General Public: $248 per night

Duplex:

  • Pine Room: 1 queen and 1 twin bed, private bathroom.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $60 per night
    • General Public: $120 per night
  • Mountain Jay Room: 1 king and 1 twin bed, with a private bathroom.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $60 per night
    • General Public: $120 per night

Multi-Room Rentals:

  • Bunkhouse: 3 rooms, 1 shared private bathroom. Room 1: queen bed. Room 2: 2 twin beds. Room 3: 1 full bed. No Kitchen.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $105 per night
    • General Public: $210 per night
  • Stone House: Peaceful 2 bedroom, 2 bath house. Full kitchen, dining area, living room, Arizona room, and a west facing patio. 2 full beds and 2 twin beds.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $165 per night
    • General Public: $330 per night
  • Straw Bale House: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, full kitchen. Large living/dining room, sunroom, covered deck. 1 full bed and 6 twin beds. Perfectly suits a large family.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $250 per night
    • General Public: $500 per night
  • Combined Houses Rental: Main House, Bunkhouse, Stone House, Straw Bale House, and Duplex. 5% discount of the cost of all rooms.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $1,022 per night
    • General Public: $2,043 per night

Event and Meeting Areas Accordion Closed
  • Straw Bale Conference Center: Conference Center/meeting space (no access/use of bedrooms, or kitchen). Maximum occupancy: 40 people.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $83 per day
    • General Public: $165 per day
  • Straw Bale Conference Center and Kitchen: Conference Center/meeting space with access/use of full kitchen. Maximum occupancy: 40 people.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $110 per day
    • General Public: $220 per day
  • Main House Lawn: Main House lawn for event with access to Bath House.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $440 per day
    • General Public: $880 per day
  • Main House Lawn and Kitchen: Main House Lawn for event with access to Bath House and kitchen.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $495 per day
    • General Public: $990 per day
  • Main House Meeting Space: Includes use of common spaces at the Main House. Occupancy of no more than 15 people, and no use of the kitchen.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $55 per day
    • General Public: $110 per day
  • Main House Meeting Space and Kitchen: Includes use of common spaces at the Main House. Occupancy of no more than 15 people. Use of the kitchen is included.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $83 per day
    • General Public: $165 per day
  • Event Barn: Multi-purpose event space with access to Bath House.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $550 per day
    • General Public: $1,100 per day
  • Meadow: Meadow with access to Bath House.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $440 per day
    • General Public: $880 per day
  • Meadow and Event Barn: Large barn with access to Meadow and Bath House.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $825 per day
    • General Public: $1,650 per day

Camping Accordion Closed
  • Tent Camping: Has access to the Bath House.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $14 per night
    • General Public: $28 per night
  • Dry RV Camping (No Hookups): Has access to the Bath house.
    • NAU Department/Internal: $30 per night
    • General Public: $60 per night

Stall Rentals Accordion Closed
  • Enclosed Box Stall – Overnight
    • NAU Department/Internal: $10 per night
    • General Public: $20 per night
  • Outside Pens – Overnight
    • NAU Department/Internal: $10 per horse
    • General Public: $20 per horse

The Hat Ranch Offers Environmental and Historic Value

The historic Hat Ranch holds the potential to anchor interdisciplinary, collaborative research and education addressing critical sustainability questions in the region. The area is a living laboratory, a dynamic ecosystem where species are visibly shifting and responding to global environmental change.

At the same time, human history has left its mark across the Hat Ranch’s landscape as it has across the broader Colorado Plateau and American West. In recent history, the ranch served as a working cattle ranch, a horse farm, and a guest ranch. All of these uses have shaped it in different ways.

NAU’s Vision

NAU’s goal for the historic Hat Ranch is as a catalyst to foster a deep appreciation for the land and drive forward innovative, science-based solutions for climate change adaptation, restoration of degraded lands, and sustainable recreation through place-based teaching and learning, research, and collaborations with public, private, and tribal partners.

Thanks to its proximity to NAU, the site will facilitate place-based learning and research projects that are too challenging to implement at more remote locations. The Hat Ranch will provide NAU students and researchers opportunities to explore and understand a rural working property integrated with nature. Additionally, students will benefit from hands-on learning projects. The resources of ranch may be used for retreats, meetings, trainings, and small conferences.

 

Other NAU Land Management Projects

NAU currently manages 50,000 acres of forest and grassland through the Centennial Forest, as well as 10 gardens within the Southwest Experimental Garden Array, and Merriam-Powell Research Station in partnership with the Arboretum at Flagstaff.