About our school and farm

RMS Garden

RMS Reevis Mountain School began as a new age community focused on spiritual pursuits, self-sufficiency, organic gardening, natural healing, and the teaching of survival skills. It is today a more quiet place, a sanctuary, organic farm, and homestead. Nature has endowed this remote canyon with paradise-like features: a creek, two underground springs, well-drained soil and an altitude of 3,300 feet, that lowers temperatures about 10 degrees compared to the Phoenix valley. Human endeavor has added a community house, an orchard of some 70 fruit and nut trees, a 1/2 acre garden, a poultry co-op housing a flock of turkey and chicken, a shower house, green house and solar power house all artfully constructed of native stone, and several shelters such as cabins, teepees and yurpies.

The farm is available to those wishing to visit a place free of most modern-day pollutants and to reconnect with nature, earth and spirit. The school, well known for its whole foods/organic approach to eating, is listed in the guide book: "Healing and Wellness Centers: A Guide for Every Body and Budget" by Jenifer Miller. Visitors rave about the wholesome, nourishing, and tasty meals featuring fresh, home-grown ingredients prepared with love and care.

Peter Bigfoot founded Reevis in 1979 as a nonprofit educational institute dedicated to fostering personal health, harmonious relationships and a reverence for the planet. A recognized authority in southwest plant life and desert survival, Bigfoot walked into the Sonoran Desert with no food or water in July 1976 and trekked 85 miles in 15 days. Today, Bigfoot draws on his knowledge and experience to teach self-reliance skills and natural healing. Guests can receive health consultations with Bigfoot, which may result in some herbal and dietary recommendations. Jin Shin (oriental touch healing) treatments and other bodywork therapies are available at Reevis Mountain School.

Reconnection, self-reliance, service to humanity, sustainable and organic living all are facets of the Reevis Mountain School experience. Over the past 26 years Reevis has grown to include a greenhouse, a community house, a stone masonry shower house, cabins, and yurpies. It provides a unique wilderness experience for those seeking everything from a personal health retreat to outdoor survival skills. Plant study seminars, workshops, and retreats are offered each spring.

The RMS seasons and the best time to visit

November-February  This time of the year can be cold, with occasional snow. Days are often sunny and warm, and there are almost no bugs. Winter rains are usually light, and may last for a day or two. Good weather for outdoor activities. Day time highs are in the 60's.

March-April  Spring is a favorite time to visit, days are warm, nights are cool but rarely cold, and there are few bugs. An abundance of new growth provides lots of interesting flowers and shrubs to explore. Day time highs are in the 70's.

May-August  By mid May the weather can get hot, and the bugs get going. In June and July there will be abundant fruit to feast on, compensation for the bugs and hot days! Day time highs are often around 100 degrees, summer rains are infrequent but can be heavy, raising the humidity. The nights are still very warm, cooling into the 70's, and providing a welcome relief.

September-October  By mid September the temperatures start to drop and the bugs diminish. October brings the first fall colors, along with apples, pears and persimmons. A good time to visit. Day time highs are in the 70's.

The Reevis Country Store

We sell a line of handcrafted herbal remedies. All herbs are either hand-picked from the organic garden or wildcrafted from the surrounding area.

Hours and Days of Operation

We work pretty much round the clock, 365 days a year. Our yearly schedule consists of the following so visits are prearranged:

January through May Weekend retreats, 2-3 weekends each month Consists of Friday and Saturday night stays and four mini-classes on Saturday and Sunday which could be herbal studies, medicinal herbs, a desert hike or a solar class/program or project. $200 per person.

June through September Fruit and veggie season; growing. and distributing.

October through December Organized classes and programs: