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.

Pearce RV Parks 2025

Bundle & Save

Get more, spend less whenever you see Bundle & Save deals

OneKeyCash

Earn OneKeyCash on all your eligible bookings

Upfront pricing

We are not like the others - we include taxes and fees

Check prices for these dates

In two weeks

In two months

In three months

In four months

RV Parks in Pearce

Our top choices for Pearce RV Parks

"Great location and hosts were helpful and friendly. Super cute tent cabins. "

$130 nightly

Sep 8 - Sep 9

Total with taxes and fees

"My son and I had such an amazing time. Our hosts were te best. We would definitely stay again and recomend Silver Spur to family and friends"

$150 nightly

Oct 2 - Oct 3

Total with taxes and fees

"Excellent"

$130 nightly

Sep 8 - Sep 9

Total with taxes and fees

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Sign in

Sign up, it's free

Top Pearce Hotel Reviews

Find out more about Pearce

Pearce RV Parks information

Number of reviews
Accommodation	3 RV Parks
Lowest Price	$145
Highest Price	$168

Unlock instant savings with Member Prices

Pearce RV Parks 2025

Bundle & Save

OneKeyCash

Upfront pricing

Check prices for these dates

RV Parks in Pearce

Our top choices for Pearce RV Parks

Cool Your Boots Glamping near Tombstone

Saddle Up for a Fun Glamping Getaway by Tombstone

Old West Magic Glamping in Tombstone

Top Pearce Hotel Reviews

Find out more about Pearce

Pearce RV Parks information

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Go further with the Expedia app