Superstition Mountain Museum

The attractions are diverse and plentiful at the Superstition Mountain Museum grounds on the historic Apache Trail in Phoenix’s East Valley. Offering twelve and a half acres filled with the likes of 19th-century business reproductions, Old West 1800’s relics, buildings from the sets of Western films, a scaled railway & passenger train, mining exhibit, mills, drills, nature trails, an extraordinary labyrinth pathway, an inventive outdoor amphitheater and live reenactments from the wild west days of yore.

20-Stamp Mill – In the 1800s, this mill, donated to the Museum in 1989, was used to recover gold by crushing mined material encasing the precious metal ore. It was state-of-the-art technology at the time. Now a rare surviving example of mechanical ingenuity.

Apacheland Barn – Seen in multiple Western films, is one of the only buildings that survived both fires of the Apacheland Movie Ranch. The barn houses several Old West vehicles of the past as well as Charlies General Store.

Arrastre – An old fashioned mill used by miners to extract gold and silver from stone and other host materials. Also referred to as a Mexican Rastra, introduced in the 1500s by the Spanish.

Boot Hill – Superstition Mountain Museum’s amusing version of an Old West cemetery for gunfighters.

Amphitheater – Made of salvaged, hand-cut stone from Theodore Roosevelt Dam with seating and a stunning backdrop of the Superstition Mountains.

Eighth of an Inch Mine – Small mining operation exhibit built to be historically authentic.

Elvis Chapel – Donated by Sue and Ed Birmingham from the now-closed Apacheland Movie Ranch near Gold Canyon, AZ. A movie prop made for the Western film Charro! in 1969 in which Elvis Presley starred.

Labyrinth – A meditative, ancient walking path created by J.J. Pelletier, a long-time volunteer & teacher of the Museum, outdoorsmen, traveler of the world, and retired Green Beret.

Nature Trail – One-third-mile nature walking trail highlighting the Sonoran Desert’s native plants intertwining with the Museum’s buildings at the base of the Superstition Mountains west face.

Miner’s Shack – A display portraying the humble living quarters of old-time miners and prospectors.

Powers 1890 Well Drill – Turn of the century water well drilling machine powered by horses.

Remington Bronze – A bronze replica of sculpturist Frederic Remington’s last work “Stampede.”

SMMRR Railroad – G-scale model train exhibit and 400 square foot education space dedicated to sharing the vital role the railroad played in Arizona’s copper mining industry.

Superstition Mountain Renegades – An Old Wild West reenactment group that brings gunslinging, cowboys, comedy, and drama to life with live skits on Saturdays during the winter high season.