MINING BOOM & GHOST TOWNS Relive the rich history and upheaval of Arizona’s mining boom, when prospectors flocked to the desert in search of riches. Jerome State Historic Park , a former copper mining town turned ghost town, perched on the side of Mingus Mountain, is now an eye-catching landmark where you can take a self-guided tour of the indoor/outdoor exhibits of the old Douglas Mansion . Step back in time and pan for gold at Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction or Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix where the spirit of the Old West lives on in restored buildings. Discover the artistry of Arizona’s mining heritage at the Arizona Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale, home to over 5,000 copper artifacts. Hard-hat on, descend into a century-old underground complex on the Copper Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee to learn the inner workings of a copper mine. Watch theatrical re-enactments of outlaw shootouts at O.K. Corral in Tombstone or in downtown Oatman. Prescott is home to Whiskey Row — once lined with 40 saloons in its mining heyday — where you’ll find The Palace Restaurant & Saloon , a circa-1870 steakhouse. Explore more of the town’s history across 4 acres of buildings and exhibits at the open-air Sharlot Hall Museum . Fort Verde State Historic Park, Camp Verde MILITARY FORTS & HISTORY Arizona’s historic military forts tell the stories of ongoing conflicts between the U.S. government and Indigenous nations during westward expansion, reflecting deep struggles over land, sovereignty, and the survival of longstanding cultures and communities. Journey to Bowie to find Fort Bowie National Historic Site , where the old ruins of a military outpost stand as a reminder of the battles fought on Arizona’s frontier. Explore Fort Verde State Historic Park in Camp Verde, where the barracks and officers’ quarters offer insights into the lives of soldiers stationed here during the 1870s and 1880s. Check in at the Apache Cultural Center & Museum in Fort Apache to peruse exhibits about the White Mountain Apache Tribe before exploring the grounds of the Fort Apache Historic Park . Then, venture to the nearby satellite property, Kinishba Ruins National Historic Landmark , occupied by Zuni and Hopi ancestors until about 1400. LEFT TO RIGHT: CITY OF BISBEE Copper Queen Mine Tour, Bisbee 27
Arizona Official State Travel Guide Arizona 2025-26: Page 27
