Goldmine Trail

The trails can be arduous if you are not prepared. Always carry plenty of water, use protection from the sun, and let someone know where you are going.

If you desire adventure, then you'll love the Goldmine Trail as it takes you to the highest point on any trail in the park at roughly 2,300 feet in elevation. The trail begins at the San Tan Trailhead near the visitor center and ends at the Goldmine Trailhead located near Skyline Drive on the north side of the park. Running this way is the easy way; starting at the north end will test you as you climb the 2,300 feet in the first mile. Either way you take this route, expect steep terrain, especially just after the high point when the trail begins to dip towards its terminus.

Enjoy a nice workout with breathtaking views from Goldmine Mountain. Don’t forget to visit the graves of two miners, Mansel Carter and Marion Kennedy, buried near the Goldmine Trailhead as you learn about their unique way of life.

Vegetation ranges from creosote flats to dense saguaro forests. Reptiles, birds, mammals, and arthropods all call this area home as well.