Vail, Arizona

Vail, Arizona
Vail sign made of 2 large railroad spikes forming a V
Location in Pima County and Arizona
Location in Pima County and Arizona
Vail is located in Arizona
Vail
Vail
Location within Arizona
Vail is located in the United States
Vail
Vail
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 32°0′7″N 110°42′1″W / 32.00194°N 110.70028°W / 32.00194; -110.70028
Country United States
State Arizona
CountyPima
Area
 • Total22.68 sq mi (58.73 km2)
 • Land22.68 sq mi (58.73 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation3,238 ft (987 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total13,604
 • Density599.90/sq mi (231.62/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST (no DST))
ZIP code
85641
Area code520
FIPS code04-78540
GNIS feature ID13150[2]

Vail is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pima County, Arizona, United States. It is 24 miles (39 km) southeast of Tucson. The population was 10,208 at the 2010 census, up from 2484 in the 2000 census. The area is known for the nearby Colossal Cave, a large cave system, and the Rincon Mountains District of Saguaro National Park, a top tourism spot within Arizona.

Vail was originally a siding and water stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was located on the last section of flat land before the train tracks followed the old wagon road into the Cienega Creek bed. Vail was named after pioneer ranchers Edward and Walter Vail, who established ranches in the area in the late 19th century. Vail deeded a right of way across his ranch to the railroad. Vail owned the Vail Ranch, his brother Walter Vail owned the nearby Empire Ranch, now part of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.[3] Attempts to incorporate the town were defeated in 2013 and 2023.[4]

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Vail, Arizona
  3. ^ Anne I. Woosley, 2008, Early Tucson. Arcadia Publishing, ISBN 0-7385-5646-7
  4. ^ Town of Vail Incorporation, Proposition 403 (November 5, 2013) https://ballotpedia.org/Town_of_Vail_Incorporation,_Proposition_403_(November_5,_2013), Ballotpedia