Goldfield Ghost Town: Mine Tour, Narrow-Gauge Train and Gunfights near Apache Junction
Just past Apache Junction, where the Apache Trail starts climbing toward the Superstition Mountains, there is a dusty little mining town with wooden boardwalks, a saloon, a narrow-gauge train and a gold mine you can walk into. Goldfield Ghost Town is one of the easiest old West day trips from the Phoenix area, and November is one of the best months to go. The heat is gone, the light on the Superstitions turns gold in the afternoon, and the weekend gunfights are back.
I have been to Goldfield a handful of times now, with kids, with visiting relatives and once just to wander and take pictures of the mountain. Here is what to expect, what is worth paying for, and how to turn it into a full day out on the Apache Trail.
A Quick History of Goldfield
Goldfield was a real boomtown. Gold was found at the base of the Superstition Mountains in the early 1890s, and the town grew fast. According to the town's own history, at its peak Goldfield had three saloons, a boarding house, a general store, a blacksmith shop, a brewery, a meat market and a schoolhouse. For a while it looked like it might outgrow Mesa.
Then the vein faulted, the ore quality dropped and the town faded away. There were attempts to reopen the mines on and off from about 1910 to 1926, but Goldfield eventually became a true ghost town.
What you see today is a rebuilt and restored version of that town, brought back to life as an attraction. It is not a preserved ruin like some of Arizona's other ghost towns. Go expecting a fun, family-friendly old West town with real history behind it, and you will have a great time.
Where It Is and How to Get There
Goldfield Ghost Town is at 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd. in Apache Junction, about 4.5 miles northeast of town on the historic Apache Trail (State Route 88). From central Phoenix, plan on roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
The official directions from Phoenix are simple:
Take US-60 East (the Superstition Freeway).
Exit at 196, Idaho Road/AZ-88 East, and turn left.
Follow Idaho Road for about 2.3 miles, then turn right onto the Apache Trail (AZ-88 East).
Drive about 4 miles and turn left into Goldfield.
The road to Goldfield is paved and fine for any car. You can find the directions and a map on the official site at https://goldfieldghosttown.com/directions/.
Hours and Admission
Walking the town is free, and so is parking. You only pay for the attractions you choose. That makes Goldfield easy on the budget, because you can stroll Main Street, browse the shops and watch the gunfights without spending a dime.
According to the official website when I checked in early November 2026:
Merchants: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Train and mine tour: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week
Coffee shop: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saloon: open daily, but the site says hours vary, so call ahead
Phone: (480) 983-0333
The saloon lists closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, so double-check before you go on a holiday. Hours and prices change, so treat the numbers in this post as a starting point and confirm on the official site at https://goldfieldghosttown.com before you head out.
The Goldfield Mine Tour
If you only pay for one thing, make it the mine tour. It is a guided underground walk through the Mammoth mine that takes about 25 minutes. The guides explain how the mine worked, what the equipment did and what daily life was like for miners a little over a century ago.
The official attractions page lists mine tour admission at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for kids ages 5 to 12, with kids 4 and under free. Some recent visitor reports mention higher prices, so expect those numbers could have changed. It is cooler underground than up top, which is a nice break on a warm day. Wear closed-toe shoes.
The Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad
Goldfield bills its train as Arizona's only narrow-gauge railroad. It is a 36-inch gauge train with a small diesel engine pulling a passenger car and a caboose. The track loops about a mile and a half around the town, and the narrated ride lasts about 20 minutes. The engineer tells stories about Goldfield, the Superstition Mountains and the desert.
The official site lists train tickets at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for kids 5 to 12, with kids 4 and under free, and says the train departs about every 35 minutes. Little kids love it, and you get some of the best open views of the Superstitions from the train. The site also mentions a three-pack deal that bundles the train, mine tour and Mystery Shack, so ask at the ticket window.
The Goldfield Gunfighters
This is the part my family always plans around. The Goldfield Gunfighters put on old West shootout shows right on the street, complete with outlaws trying to steal the Wells Fargo strongbox. It is goofy, loud and a lot of fun. Watching is free.
According to the official attractions page, the gunfights run November through April on Saturdays and Sundays, every hour from high noon to 4 p.m. That means this weekend kicks off the season. Get there a few minutes early to grab a spot in the shade along the boardwalk. You can learn more at https://www.goldfieldgunfighters.com/.
Other Things to Do in Goldfield
Goldfield packs a lot into a small town. Prices below are from the official attractions page and may change.
Goldfield's Historic Museum: Exhibits on local history, an antique firearms collection, fossils and minerals, and a display on the legendary Lost Dutchman mine. Listed at $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for kids, with kids under 8 free.
The Mystery Shack: A tilted "gravity house" where water seems to run uphill and you walk at strange angles. Listed at $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for kids 5 to 12.
Gold panning and gem sluicing: Pan for real gold flakes in outdoor troughs or sluice for gems and fool's gold. This is a big hit with kids.
Superstition Zipline: A short zip over the town, listed at $15 per person. See https://superstitionzipline.com/.
Spirits of the Bordello: An indoor, air-conditioned haunted history tour of about 30 to 35 minutes, run by Fear Frontier.
Night walking ghost tour: A guided evening tour of about an hour and 45 minutes. Reservations are through https://www.fearfrontier.net/.
Horseback rides: Superstition's O.K. Corral Stables offers guided rides into the desert. Call ahead for reservations.
Shops and treats: Main Street has old West gift shops, a coffee shop and the Mammoth Steakhouse and Saloon for burgers, steaks and a cold sarsaparilla.
There is also a campground at Goldfield with dry camping and hookup sites if you want to catch a sunset and the stars over the Superstitions. Check the campground page at https://goldfieldghosttown.com/campground/ for current rates and rules.
How Long to Spend
You can see the highlights in two to three hours: a walk down Main Street, the mine tour, the train and one gunfight. If you add gold panning, the museum and lunch, plan on a half day. Pair it with a hike nearby, and you have a full day.
Best Time to Visit
October through April is the comfortable season. November is especially nice, with highs usually in the 70s and the gunfights back on weekends. Weekends are livelier and busier. Weekdays are quieter if you want room to roam and take photos.
Summer is a different story. The boardwalks get very little shade, and afternoons can top 100 degrees. If you go between May and September, arrive right at opening, bring water and plan on spending time in the mine and air-conditioned shops.
For photographers, late afternoon in winter is magic. The sun lights up the face of the Superstitions, and the old wooden buildings glow. One note: the official site says no professional photography is allowed in the town without permission from management, so casual snapshots are fine, but ask first if you are doing a paid shoot.
Make It a Superstition Mountains Day Trip
Goldfield sits right in the middle of some of the best scenery in the East Valley, so it is easy to build a whole day around it.
Lost Dutchman State Park: Just up the road, this park has great desert hiking trails right at the foot of the Superstitions. I wrote a full guide to Lost Dutchman State Park at https://www.greenthumbhobbies.com/post/lost-dutchman-state-park.
Superstition Mountain Museum: Another nearby stop on the Apache Trail with exhibits about the mountains, mining and the Lost Dutchman legend.
Tortilla Flat: Farther up the Apache Trail, this tiny old stagecoach stop has a restaurant, a saloon and a little store known for its prickly pear treats.
Canyon Lake: Normally a gorgeous stop, but heads up. Recent reports say Canyon Lake is drawn down and closed for repairs this fall and winter, with the Dolly Steamboat paused until early 2027. Check the Tonto National Forest and Salt River Project updates before planning a lake stop.
The rest of the Apache Trail: Past Tortilla Flat, the road turns to dirt, and the steep Fish Creek Hill section has been signed for high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles and UTVs only, with no trailers. Regular cars should turn around at Fish Creek Vista. Always check https://www.az511.gov before driving past Tortilla Flat, especially after rain.
Tips for Visiting Goldfield
Bring a little cash just in case, in addition to a card.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes for the boardwalks, dirt streets and mine.
Carry water and sunscreen, even in winter.
Plan around the gunfight schedule if you are visiting on a weekend.
Ask about the three-pack ticket if you want the train, mine and Mystery Shack.
Keep dogs leashed and clean up after them.
Call ahead on holidays and in summer, when hours can change.
Quick Goldfield Checklist
Address: 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd., Apache Junction
Free entry and parking, pay per attraction
Train and mine tour: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Gunfights: Saturday and Sunday, November through April, noon to 4 p.m.
Best season: October through April
Pair it with Lost Dutchman State Park nearby
Confirm hours and prices at goldfieldghosttown.com
Goldfield is cheesy in the best way, and the mountain views alone are worth the drive. Pack a cooler, grab the kids or a friend and spend a November afternoon in the old West. Have you been to Goldfield, and what is your favorite part?
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