Bisbee

Also see nearby: Tombstone, Arizona

Bisbee, Arizona

Bisbee, just a few miles north of the Mexico border, is a small mountain town founded in 1880, when the Copper Queen Mine opened. According to the brochure: "The mine proved to be one of the richest mineral sites in the world - producing nearly three million ounces of gold and more than eight billion pounds of copper, not to mention the silver, lead and zinc." In the early 1900's Bisbee was the largest town in America between St. Louis and San Francisco with 20,000 people. The Copper Queen mine is now affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute and is world-famous, but to me it is still just a big, ugly hole in the ground.

Pretty entry to a hillside home in Bisbee


Alley in Bisbee

However, Bisbee itself is quite charming. The town burned to the ground in 1908, and was rebuilt with only brick or stone buildings and all of these buildings are still standing. In the height of the mining days, the Copper Queen miners were a rowdy bunch and partied at night in the many saloons and brothels along Brewery Gulch. Now the saloons are boutiques and house the many artists and craftspeople who have made Bisbee their home.

In the area:
Copper Queen Mine Tour
(south edge of downtown, trust me, you can't miss the mine)
Strap on your mining light and put on your hard hat and travel 1500 feet into the Copper Queen Mine via a miners trolley! The fun tour takes just over one hour. Temperature in the mine is a constant 47 degrees. Dress warm and wear closed shoes - it's dusty down there.

The entrance to the Copper Queen Mine

RV Parks:
Queen Mine RV Park
473 N. Dart Rd.
Bisbee, AZ 85603
520-432-5006
Only 25 sites, all gravel back-ins with water, sewer and 30 amp electric. Completely open, no trees to block your satellite or shade your RV. Bathhouse and laundry. Walk to town. Free wifi and cable. Quiet. Cash or check only. (Tricky entry and don't follow your GPS directions. Enter the Queen Mine Tour parking lot and proceed up the hill to the campground.) There is a sharp turn on a steep uphill, but we made it in a 45-foot bus towing a car!

Queen Mine RV Park

Restaurants:
Cafe Roka
35 Main Street
Bisbee, AZ
520.432.5153
Probably the nicest restaurant in town. Great atmosphere, delicious regional foods. Great service. Live music on Friday.

Old Bisbee Brewing Company - serves their own brews and a few wines. No food. Great little spot to have a cold one and chat with the locals.