Step Back in Time into the Old West at Goldfield Ghost Town
For those looking for a wild west adventure through the scenic desert, Arizona is your place to go. This large state is not just full of beautiful desert terrain but also numerous abandoned, or “living” ghost towns.
One of the best, possessing both authentic old west appeal and stunning natural landscapes, is the charming Goldfield Ghost Town. Resting in a breathtaking location, this old western town sits just a few miles away from the epic Superstition Mountains of Arizona.
Out of the many historic towns we’ve seen throughout the state, Goldfield Ghost Town certainly stands out above the rest for its beauty and historic charm.
A Quick History of Goldfield Ghost Town
So what’s the story of Goldfield and why is it here? Well, similar to many other mining towns, the answer is simple – gold!
Gold was discovered here in this area between the Superstition Mountains and Goldfield Mountains back in 1892. After gold was found, the town sprang up and boomed, reaching a total of 28 buildings and 4,000 residents.
The boom lasted for about 5 years until prospectors dug out all of the gold ore.
Once the gold was gone, the town’s population and community quickly collapsed eventually going dark. Miners moved on to new boomtowns and by 1898, the post office was closed and Goldfield officially became a ghost town.
Although, the town saw a short revival in 1910 when George Young brought new mining methods and equipment to Goldfield. But sadly once again, the town dwindled in producing ore and became a ghost town permanently in the mid-1920s.
Today, Goldfield Ghost Town is alive once again, but now as a commercial, or “living” ghost town. Bringing in travelers, tourists, and historic enthusiasts to escape into the well-loved wild west experience of the old mining days.
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Goldfield Ghost Town is located 4.5 miles east of Apache Junction off Highway 88, right next to the popular Lost Dutchman State Park and Superstition Mountains.
Parking is available in a large parking lot right past the main entrance.
Actual Address: 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd, Apache Junction AZ 85119
- Hours of Operation:
- Merchants – 10AM – 5PM
- Bakery – 9AM – 5PM
- Saloon/Restaurant – 11AM – 9PM (daily)
- No admission or parking fee
- Bathrooms located on-site
For overnight lodging, the closest place to stay would be in Apache Junction. There is a good variety of hotels, restaurants, groceries, and shops to choose from.
Although, if you’re looking for a larger city, then your 2 next closest options would be the cities of Mesa or Gilbert just past Apache Junction.
We stayed in a charming Airbnb in Apache Junction during our visit. If we can, we always choose an Airbnb over hotels as they’re often similar in price, but offer a much more unique experience.
Feel free to use our Airbnb coupon code which saves you $55 of your first night’s stay!
TOP THINGS TO SEE & DO AT GOLDFIELD GHOST TOWN
Despite being a smaller ghost town compared to Tombstone or Jerome, there are still tons to do at Goldfield. This also depends on how much money you want to spend as the commercialized ghost town has to stay financially afloat somehow!
We broke down the top things to do & see for both Free(ish) Things to Do and Paid Attractions.
Best Free(ish) Things to Do
When we say free(ish), we mean things to do that are either completely free or require a small purchase. Mainly things outside of tours.
WANDER THE HISTORIC ROW
The main and most common thing to do when visiting any ghost town is to simply wander the town’s historic rows. Since Goldfield Ghost Town is a smaller town, the majority of the roaming will take place along the central main street.
First thing you will notice is the incredible Superstition Mountains that lay as a wonderful backdrop against the town. Pair that with a wide valley of Saguaro Cacti that surrounds the town, and you have one outstanding western landscape to say the least.
Honestly, one of the most scenic we’ve seen in the entire state.
As you wander the streets, you will see many reconstructed historic buildings that line the row. These buildings now house commercial shops, museums, a small grill, ice cream parlor, coffee shop & bakery, and other miscellaneous western-themed attractions.
Of course, shopping may involve some spending, but hey that’s why we said “free(ish)!”
Follow the main row up till you reach the top of the hill where the church resides. This is basically the end of the town, at least the main walking area.
Wandering through the town is the most “free” thing you can do, anything more will require some spending.
PEEK INSIDE THE CHURCH OF THE MOUNT
What’s neat is that Goldfield Ghost Town’s Church of the Mount is actually still active. Services are available on Sundays for those who want to attend.
Although on the other days of the week, visitors can still take a peek inside the church for a quick look.
In general, the church is a quaint feature at the end of the row.
ENJOY THE 360° VIEWS OF THE DESERT LANDSCAPE
As we previously mentioned, Goldfield Ghost Town has amazing natural views of the Superstition Mountains. Amazingly, there are also many other incredible viewpoints of the desert valley from multiple points of the town.
We found ourselves stopping at least 3-4 times at different spots throughout town just to marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Saguaro cacti, yucca plants, and mountain ranges spread across miles of land. The Superstition Mountains obviously holding the spotlight and being the most iconic feature of the grounds.
If you can, stay till sunset to see the desert light up in new colors of pinks and purples as the sun slowly sets over the horizon.
Romantic? Unforgettable? Absolutely gorgeous? Yes to all three!
WATCH THE GOLDFIELD GUNFIGHTERS
Photo Credit: GoldfieldGunfighters.com
Every Saturday and Sunday, you can catch a free show from the Goldfield Gunfighters.
They perform every hour from 12pm – 4pm out on the main street of town. A fun show that appeals to the old west vibe of the era for all to enjoy without spending any extra cash!
Best Paid Attractions at Goldfield
Now for the other attractions that will require spending some money. All are fairly affordable and can really add to your Goldfield experience.
However, we still recommend visiting Goldfield Ghost Town even if you don’t wish to partake in any additional purchases. These are just listed for those who want to dive deeper and don’t mind spending the extra cash. Prices below are all subject to change.
Since there are so many to choose from, we simplified it in the bulleted list below!
Mammoth Steakhouse and Saloon
- Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon
- Best place for food & drinks within an authentic decor of an old west saloon filled with western artifacts
- Goldfield Mine Tours
- 25-minute underground tour that showcases the history of the mine, town, and gold mining equipment
- $10 Adults / $9 Seniors / $7 Children 5-12 / Kids 4 and under are free
- Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad
- Small diesel train that takes you along 1.5 miles of railroad track which circles the town. All while learning the history of Goldfield, the Superstition Mountains, and the desert from the engineer
- $10 Adults / $9 Seniors / $7 Children 5-12 / Kids 4 and under are free
- Superstition Zipline
- See Goldfield from a tall zipline that stretches above the town
- $12 per person / Additional Rides $6
- Superstition Reptile Exhibit
- A small museum of many reptiles and invertebrates on display
- $5 Adults / $4 for kids 17 and under / Kids 6 & under are free
- Goldfield’s Historic Museum
- Educational exhibits on the history of the area and the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine with a movie museum
- $4 Adults / $1 Children
- The Mystery Shack
- A unique shack that defies gravity by using fun optical illusions
- $7 Adults / $6 Seniors / $5 Children / Kids 4 and under are free
- Eagle Eye Shooting Gallery
- Shoot interactive targets from a selection of various historic guns
- $2 per game
- Lu Lu’s Bordello
- 10-15 min tour from the girls or “Floozy’s” that explain the history of the women of the 1800’s. Both good and bad experience of what it was like living as a woman in the west
- $4 Adults / $3 Seniors / $2 Kids
- Gold Panning at Prospectors Palace
- Pan for gold and be taught by a gold historian who will show you how it was done in the old west
- $9 Adults / $6 Children 12 & Under
- Superstition O.K. Corral Stables
- Horseback ride with a guide into the incredible mountainous region of Goldfield
- Call for reservations and price options
Now that’s quite the list! You can easily spend the whole day here if you wanted to indulge in all the attractions at Goldfield Ghost Town.
During our visit, we mainly stuck to the free(ish) options as well as enjoying lunch and a nice cold beer at the saloon.
Sitting on the outdoor patio of the saloon gives an amazing view of the Superstition Mountains. It was easy to spend a couple hours here relaxing and taking in the majestic desert scenery.
Goldfield Ghost Town is One of Arizona’s Most Charming Old West Towns
So there you have it! As you can see there is so much to do at Goldfield Ghost Town that it’s easy to spend several hours enjoying this piece of old west history.
What we love about Goldfield is that you really don’t have to spend money to enjoy your visit. While the extra attractions are fun to participate in, the simplicity of the western vibe paired with the gorgeous desert scenery is enough to feel instantly fulfilled.
At least that’s how we felt from just our first few steps into town!
If you have the time and money, then we do recommend taking part in a few of the attractions here. The tours are rich with knowledge and lead by wonderful tour guides who know much about the town’s history.
If not the tours, the small rides on the train or zipline are great for the little ones or those looking for something with more action.
However you choose to spend your time in Goldfield Ghost Town, we know you will come home with some great memories. For those who are looking to embrace in a part of old west history, Goldfield is your place to find it.
Looking for more nearby adventure? If visiting during the warmer months, enjoy a day of swimming and “beach-side relaxing” at Canyon Lake. You can find this picturesque lake just 20 minutes north of Goldfield in the Superstition Wilderness of Tonto National Forest.
Or for a more “mobile” swimming activity, don’t miss the popular attraction of Salt River Tubing, about 30 minutes away.
Have you been to any of Arizona’s ghost towns? Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!
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