Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town
Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Please call for reservations during the warmer months "What you will see here is a remnant town which stood larger than Yuma in 1878. Her weather beaten buildings remain great day trip in the lower Colorado river in an area little changed from the 1800's. The mills stand silent, housing original boiler, stamp mill, and elevator, as if tomorrow they will awaken to the thunderous roar of steel crushing rock. The boardwalks still creak, the church bell rings out, the five saloons just await the story of their last shootout. Over 50 building in 3 areas are now open, with more history being added. April 15 through September you will need to call for hours. October 1st through April 30th we are open 7 days a week.
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- Cheryl B17 contributionsA++ ExcursionThis was our first time to the desert and to find an actual ghost town was quite awesome. The town has everything from a barber shop to a bank and of course 3 bars as those miners needed something to drink after a hard day's work. While we were there, they had a reenactment. The was both entertaining and informative. The mine was spectacular with the mineral wall, the antique Levi Strauss jeans and the miner's items left behind... all very interesting. The guide was very knowledgeable and explained the types of minerals found in the rocks on the wall. We stopped by the food truck (Pick & Shovel) and had the best hamburger we have ever had! The atmosphere in the dinning area was enjoyable as they had it decorated for the theme of Pick & Shovel. The downside is that the food truck is open Friday through Sunday for lunch only. We will be back as often as we can. Love this place.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 29, 2023
- sk sGlobe, Arizona61 contributionsVery well done.This is inside the KOFA Wildlife Refuge, about halfway between Yuma and Quartzsite. The owners have done a great job turning a ghost town into a museum. Lots to see and learn here. Most of the buildings you will visit are clustered close together, but some are about several block lengths distant. So, be prepared to walk. The cost is $20 per adult for a self guided tour. The $75 for a guided tour gets you into a mine shaft. We didn't spring for that. If you are there on a sunny day, they have audio tours that you can pick up on your phone. The whole place is on solar power, so - no sun = no audio tour. Be prepared for a 10 plus drive on a dirt road to get there. We found the road to be well maintained.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 2, 2024
- Gregg M10 contributionsGreat Mine TourThis is a must see attraction in the Yuma area. Privately owned this mine tour includes a walk ( at your own leisure) through the mining town. It includes a garage filled with antique cars. The mine tour itself is very cool and has many displays of how the miners did their work.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 1, 2024
- Carina B1 contributionOn your own - With respectWe had to drive almost an hour from Yuma to get out there. Dont panic of the signs on one side of the road Warning about a state property containing unexploded ammunition - just follow the Road 😅 No one was There to take payment - but hey - its a ghost town, right? We Were the only ones There and spent one Hour, enjoying looking at all the effects from a time, when life was just a Little harder. Respect for what has been 🙏🏻 remember to bring something cold to drink 😅Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 29, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
464 reviews
Excellent
263
Very good
121
Average
46
Poor
14
Terrible
20
Candace
2 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We were greeted by a cranky old lady after waiting several minutes (she was inside hot glueing as we were told). We arrived later in the afternoon and while paying the high admission price with $100 bill she informed us that if we gave her a large bill like that earlier in the day she wouldn’t have taken it. The little town was nice and we enjoyed seeing it, but before we were done and it closed the same lady started closing up the buildings, turning off sounds and putting away flags. Not impressed after paying $16 per person including my 12 year old.
Written March 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glenn N
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Family
DO NOT waste your money. Horrible gravel road. Nobody there to greet you so u just wander around but when u try to leave a man is waiting there to make you pay $15 a person!! He was rude and confrontational!! If he would have been there at the entrance to get the money before entry then no way would we have went in!! I think he waits there to trap u into paying. We did unwillingly pay n he proceeded to follow us making rude comments
Written September 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BarbZoo
San Juan Capistrano, CA140 contributions
Feb 2020
My adult son and I enjoy exploring sites of historical interest, and he loves any rusty remnants. The couple that owns/runs this little town have done a remarkable job of restoration, with abundant relevant signage. We arrived too late for the mine tour, so we will have to return next time we visit Yuma. The road is good; any car can make it. The grounds are set up for easy walking between buildings.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bbnuttmann
Jamul, CA77 contributions
Jan 2020
Don't believe the reviews that say the road is bad to this place. It is not paved for a few miles but the road is OK and gives you more of an authentic feeling for where you are going, back in time. Town was originally formed 1864 and was very active during the last part of the 19th century when the mine was going well. There is a large collection of old houses, stores, and other structures from that era. Some buildings have been moved to the site, but moved from the surrounding vicinity.
This is a great destination for photographers as there are good subjects all over. The cost to see the ghost town is $15, when we went there. Worth that much. Nice people run it. This is a private sight to see and not a State Park.
This is a great destination for photographers as there are good subjects all over. The cost to see the ghost town is $15, when we went there. Worth that much. Nice people run it. This is a private sight to see and not a State Park.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moo1966
Seattle, WA54 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We loved how authentic they reconstructed this ghost town. While all the buildings are original, most were moved to this location. They have done an excellent job of restoring and explaining all the different buildings, the artifacts, and the people who lived/mined in this area. It was really fascinating to see everything, and it is laid out very well. This is one of the best ghost towns I’ve been to. Even though there is a 5 mile dirt road to get here, it is fairly smooth and most any car can drive it.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donaldz940
Richland, WA114 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Old ghost town from 1860s to 1970s, many eras of hard rock mining town for silver & lead with tremendous amounts of stuff left behind from all those years. Walk around for about an hour or two in a small area of about a football field (take your time there is lots to see). There is an underground tour as well which costs about $50 each. Take water w/ you, it can be hot.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodney C
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
$15 a head and no flush toilets! Nasty outhouses. When I asked about the mine tours we were told it was $75 per person. Then I was told, “that is what they can get, so that is what they charge”. Crazy! No one to tell you anything about the ghost town, just walk around and look at the buildings...
Interesting but not worth the price!
Would not go back.
Interesting but not worth the price!
Would not go back.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LinC449
Klamath Falls, OR103 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This was a great excursion. The museum is a very large collection of buildings and artifacts assembled together on site and depicts what Castle Dome City looked like in its heyday. If you enjoy history this is a great place. The displays are not locked behind bars and it’s a very interactive experience. The mine tour, which is a separate tour, was really interesting and fun. The phosphorescent rocks inside the mine were amazing. The tour guides were knowledgeable and fun. For us there was only 2 downsides….it was $80 per person for the museum and mine tour which can be expensive for families. The second negative was the road to the museum….7 plus miles of gravel washboard road. It was a long drive out!
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cruiser561979
1 contribution
Feb 2020
We visited in Feb 2020. Although the road to get there was not good, it was well worth the drive. Amazing collection of buildings, artifacts and antiques. Very enlightening and I would recommend this very highly. Leave yourself 3 to 4 hours to enjoy it. I would also advise that you take water and maybe even a sandwich. There are snacks and water available towards the end of the tour and priced very fairly. We also found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.
Written March 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Creeping_Death_LA
Los Angeles, CA4,469 contributions
May 2020
We love visiting ghost towns. This one isn't authentic but if you love antiques and period pieces it's worth the $15 per person fee. The owner has amassed a large antique collection some perfect some rusty but that's what gives it character. If you want a perfect ghost town experience then head to the ultimate - Bodie.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Why and how the building with the military inscriptions started...not part of the old west but loved reading the names and dates of service!
Written February 24, 2021
I would like to know how someone that has no idea of what is inside an attraction can give a review of said attraction. As stated they never went in so how can they possibly know what's there?
Written February 14, 2019
There is a brochure inside the gift shop. Maybe they looked at it?
Written March 10, 2020
Thinking of taking the $75 tour. How long does the entire tour take? How long was lunch break? What is the lunch menu, as they don't provide much info on the website? Homemade food, or from a local restaurant / caterer? What was the bathroom situation like? Are they clean?
Written February 14, 2018
The tour is about 3 hours long and you go 600 feet below ground. Food is a bagged lunch, nothing fancy. Bathrooms are similar to an RV bathroom. If you are a rock hound, you'll enjoy it, but otherwise...
Written February 14, 2018
Is there a bus/shuttle from Yuma to Castle Dome?
Written January 6, 2018
stevetO4989UR
San Diego, California
Sorry not at this time some tour groups are working on it
Written January 6, 2018
No idea - I'd search Yuma resources or see if Uber or Lyft will give you a quote!
Written January 4, 2018
I heard the road is bad on tires. We will have a rental car is it ok to drive on?
Written October 17, 2017
Go slow on the dirt/gravel road!
Written January 28, 2018
Hi,
My name is Irene from Italy, are you open on 15th August at 3 p.m.?
Written July 29, 2017
stevetO4989UR
San Diego, California
The museum is open only weekends this time of year as the outside temperature can be brutal
Written July 30, 2017
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