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Sonoran Rose Earthship in the Arizona desert

Wittmann, Arizona

Explore Arizona’s Largest Earthship

Tour a 4,800-square-foot off-grid homestead shaped by solar power, rainwater systems, recycled materials, desert farming, and community.

Our story

Building an off-grid desert oasis

We are Chris and Willy, caretakers of the Sonoran Rose Earthship. Our five-acre homestead blends sustainable construction, renewable energy, farm life, art, and hands-on learning.

The Earthship is still evolving. Every wall repaired, solar panel installed, garden planted, and tour hosted becomes another chapter in a living experiment.

See ways to visit
Willy and Chris of Earthship Journey sitting outdoors with their dogs

Inside the Earthship

Built for resilience, powered by possibility

Built in 1999 by Robert Schafer with help from the Wittmann community and designed by Earthship pioneer Michael Reynolds, the Sonoran Rose is a community-built landmark made from recycled materials.

4,800

Square feet

Three stories of evolving off-grid living space.

24V

Solar system

Battery-backed renewable power for daily life.

4,400

Gallons stored

Rainwater capacity across three tanks.

5.5

Desert acres

Gardens, animals, projects, tours, and gathering spaces.

Visit and experience

Tours, camping, and seasonal gatherings

Choose a guided visit, a quiet desert stay, or a hands-on event that brings sustainable living out of the textbook and into the dust.

Guests smiling during a guided tour at Earthship Journey

Guided Tours

Explore the building systems, construction story, solar setup, farm, and realities of desert off-grid life.

Book a Tour
Meditation space at Earthship Journey for dry camping guests

Dry Camping

Bring a tent, van, or RV and settle into a quiet desert setting near the Earthship and meditation areas.

Reserve a Spot
Colorful mosaic art detail at an Earthship Journey seasonal event

Seasonal Events

Join mosaic projects, workshops, farm activities, and community days announced throughout the year.

View Events

Made and raised here

Handmade goods and farm offerings

Hand-wrapped decorative stones made at Earthship Journey

Wrapped Stones

Hand-wrapped stones and ornaments made in small batches.

Ask About Stock
Fresh raw goat milk from the Earthship Journey farm

Farm Goods

Seasonal eggs, goat milk, and garden goods for local pickup.

Check Availability
Goats and sheep at the Earthship Journey farm

Goats and Sheep

Contact us about current livestock availability and farm visits.

Contact Us

Stay and contribute

Work exchange and hands-on projects

Travelers with practical skills, patient hands, and curiosity can ask about short stays connected to building, gardening, animal care, organization, and art.

Earthship Journey stay and work project area in the Arizona desert

Stay and Work

Trade agreed-upon project help for a place to park and an immersive look at off-grid homestead life.

Start a Conversation
Decorative Earthship art detail from a hands-on project

Hands-On Projects

Help with adobe, mosaics, gardens, animal care, maintenance, and creative construction.

See Projects

From the project log

Latest Earthship updates

Development update

Project archive migration

The project archive is being rebuilt for the standalone site, with future updates covering solar, water, adobe, farming, and events.

View Project Blog