Much of the area is now part of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, which preserves habitat for a variety of threatened plant and animal species in the valley and along Cienega Creek.

[1][2] The town of Vail, Arizona, is located at the northwestern edge of the valley, next to the Colossal Cave Mountain Park.

The small community of Sonoita is located in the southwestern part of the valley, a few miles south of the historic Empire Ranch, which is now used as the headquarters for the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, as well as a local history museum.

The ghost towns of Greaterville, Kentucky Camp, and Total Wreck are located at the western edge of the valley, in the foothills of the Santa Rita and Empire mountain ranges.

The ghost town of Pantano is near the valley's northern edge, at the foot of the Rincon Mountains.