A Landscape Worth Protecting: How Circle Z Was Saved from Development - Circle Z Ranch

A Guest Ranch Nearly Lost

Today, Circle Z is known as one of the most authentic guest ranch experiences in the American West—a place where horses, horseback riding, and the rhythm of ranch life remain beautifully unchanged.

But that story was almost cut short.

In the early 1970s, this land—now a beloved destination for travelers seeking a true guest ranch vacation—was threatened by plans for a new resort. Offers from developers were on the table. The future of Circle Z as a working ranch, a place of connection, and a sanctuary for horseback riding was uncertain.

What happened next didn’t just preserve a property.

It protected a way of life.

The Golden Era of the Guest Ranch

To understand what was at stake, it’s important to understand what Circle Z represented.

Founded in 1926 during the height of the American dude ranch movement, Circle Z was part of a cultural shift in how people experienced travel. Instead of luxury hotels or structured tourism, visitors sought something more authentic—a chance to connect with nature, ride horses, and experience the West firsthand.

According to research from the University of Arizona’s Southwest Center, guest ranches played a major role in shaping early tourism in the region, offering immersive outdoor experiences centered on horseback riding and community (source).

Circle Z embodied that spirit.

Guests came not for amenities, but for:

Open landscapes
Daily horseback riding
Shared meals and storytelling
A sense of belonging

By the mid-20th century, Circle Z had become more than a guest ranch. It was a tradition.

A Turning Point: The 1970s Threat of Development

By the early 1970s, the American West was changing.

Tourism was evolving. Development was expanding. And land that had once been considered remote and untouchable was suddenly seen as an opportunity.

At Circle Z, longtime owner Fred Fendieg was preparing to retire. After decades of stewardship, he began entertaining offers—including interest from developers who envisioned transforming the ranch into something entirely different.

A resort.

A commercial destination.

From a financial perspective, it made sense.

But from a cultural and environmental perspective, it would have meant the end of Circle Z as a guest ranch.

The horses would be gone.
The trails would be forgotten.
The quiet rhythm of life would be replaced by something faster, louder, and less connected to the land.

For many, this might have been an inevitable transition.

But for one family, it was unthinkable.

Lucia Nash: A Vision to Preserve Something Rare

Lucia Nash had known Circle Z long before it was ever at risk.

She first visited as a young girl in 1937, traveling by train from Cleveland with her family. Like so many guests, she formed a deep connection to the ranch—returning year after year and eventually sharing that experience with her own children.

To her, Circle Z was not just a destination.

It was a place of meaning.

So when the opportunity arose in the 1970s—and the possibility of development became real—Lucia saw not just a decision, but a responsibility.

She understood what Circle Z represented:

A rare, preserved landscape
A living tradition of horseback riding
A place where people could reconnect with nature

And she knew that once it was gone, it could never be recreated.

The Decision That Changed Everything

In 1976, Lucia Nash made a choice that would define the future of Circle Z.

She purchased the ranch.

It wasn’t just a business decision—it was an act of conservation.

At a time when development was accelerating across the Southwest, Lucia chose preservation over profit. She chose to protect the land, the lifestyle, and the legacy of the guest ranch experience.

She didn’t do it alone.

Lucia partnered with Don and Doris Simmons, individuals with deep ties to the ranch. Don had worked there as a boy, and together, they brought both continuity and care to the operation.

Their shared goal was simple:

Keep Circle Z exactly what it was meant to be.

Preserving More Than a Guest Ranch

What Lucia preserved wasn’t just a property. Along with her son Rick Nash and his wife Diana Nash, a long family legacy of conservation was established in Arizona.

The family has preserved:

Thousands of acres of open land, with easements from Arizona Land and Water Trust
The miles and miles of unique horseback riding trails
A working relationship between people, horses, and landscape
A tradition of hospitality rooted in authenticity

According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, conserving places like this plays a critical role in maintaining cultural identity and environmental integrity (source).

Circle Z is a perfect example.

Because of that decision in 1976, guests today can still experience:

Daily horseback riding across untouched terrain
A genuine connection with horses
A slower, more intentional pace of life

This is what defines a true guest ranch vacation.

Horses at the Heart of the Experience

At many destinations, horseback riding is an activity.

At Circle Z, it is the foundation.

They are part of the family. Carefully trained, deeply understood, and matched to each rider, they create an experience that is both safe and transformative.

For beginners, horseback riding becomes a source of confidence.

For experienced riders, it becomes something even more rare—freedom.

This relationship between people and horses is something Lucia Nash understood deeply. And it’s one of the reasons preserving the ranch mattered so much.

Because without the land, there are no trails.

Without the trails, there is no riding.

And without horseback riding, the essence of the guest ranch experience is lost.

Why Preservation Still Matters Today

The story of Circle Z is not just about the past.

It’s about the present—and the future.

Across the American West, open land continues to face pressure from development, water use, and changing land practices. According to research from The Nature Conservancy, protecting working lands is one of the most effective ways to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity (source).

Circle Z remains a rare example of what happens when preservation succeeds.

The land is still intact.
The experience is still authentic.
The connection between people and nature still exists.

And it all traces back to one decision.

A Guest Ranch Experience That Endures

Today, guests arrive at Circle Z looking for a guest ranch experience—often drawn by the promise of horseback riding and time outdoors.

What they discover is something more.

They find:

A landscape that feels untouched
A sense of community that feels genuine
A connection to history that feels alive

And whether they realize it or not, they are benefiting from a moment in time when things could have gone very differently.

Experience It for Yourself

The story of Circle Z is one of preservation, passion, and purpose.

It’s a reminder that places like this don’t just happen—they are protected, cared for, and carried forward by people who understand their value.

Book your stay at Circle Z Ranch and experience a truly authentic guest ranch vacation.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy Worth Protecting

Circle Z exists today because someone chose to protect it.

Because someone saw value beyond development.

Because someone believed that a guest ranch—with its horses, its trails, and its way of life—was worth preserving.

And today, every guest who rides across this land becomes part of that legacy.

Book your guest ranch experience today and discover what makes Circle Z unlike anywhere else.