Swansea Ghost Town
Lyle F.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Feb. 3, 2021

This was an educational, surreal and fun find!

Here was a neat and remote experience. We explored the ruins of this early 19th century mining town. We were by no means alone though. Each day a dozen or so off-road vehicles and explorers visit the desert centered attraction. Nestled in amazing landscape with massive saguaro cactus towering sporadically, this campground offers spectacular views for hundreds of miles.

There are informational pedestals in front of the numerous foundations in the area. The mines are closed off with welded metal grates and i-beams supporting them for safety. The main mine, so deep that the bottom cannot be seen. After vandals in the 1970s harvested the wood roofing materials for firewood the structures deteriorated quickly in the desert environment.

Vaulted toilets are a short hike from the provided campsites. Each site has a picnic table under a tin roof shelter with a cornerstone wall and a fire ring with cooking grate attached.

The drive out there was nearly 2 hours of slow creeping through a nighttime desert. I wouldn't recommend going in at night anywhere but especially here. Swansea mine road just after an off-road racing event was all torn up! Ha! The ruts were deep and large rocks littered the uneven road. Luckily, and unbeknownst to us, the road was graded and redone while we were camping at the abandoned mining town. It took us a quarter of the time to get back out after our two-night stay.

  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Swansea Ghost Town by Lyle F., February 3, 2021