Courtland Turquoise Mine (Half Day George Mine)

The Courtland Ghost Town is the only pay-per-dig site in the State of Arizona where individual turquoise mining is possible or allowed.

There are multiple mine sites and over 400 acres of exclusive mining rights. Some sites will produce botryoidal nuggets while others have bright blue veins and green turquoise. The mine shafts are not open to the public but there is an abundance of turquoise in the tailings from which many gem grade pieces are still extracted.

Access to the mining locations requires hiking approximately 2 - 4.5 miles round trip with a moderate elevation grade. The location is approximately one mile above sea level so some physical exertion will be required. Each tour participant will be outfitted with a day pack, two liters of water, trail snacks and gallon size bags within which to collect specimens. (One bag for the half day tour and three bags for the full day tour)

Because this area was a favorite mining site for native Americans long prior to Coronado's search for the Seven Cities of Cibola in the 16th century, you will see places where they mined and probably lived. Along the way to the Avalon Mine, you will see the mortars where the native Americans ground their acorns and wild grains. You might even find prehistoric pottery, stone hammers and arrowheads. (Since these items are protected under both federal and state law, it is illegal to remove such items)

Along the way, your tour guide will provide you with the history of the area and information relating to the present-day challenges of preventing the loss of this site to commercial exploitation and desecration. Along the way, you will also see the remains of miners' shacks and evidence of the equipment used to sort and measure the turquoise.

There are two tours. The full day tour involves approximately 4.5 miles of hiking to and from the Avalon Mine site. The half day tour involves approximately 2 miles of hiking to and from the George Mine site.
Including transportation and hiking the full day mining expedition tour will consume approximately eight hours; the half day mining expedition tour will consume approximately five hours.

On the way to Courtland from Bisbee, the tour will stop at the historic Gleeson Jail and Museum. This is because the town of Gleeson was initially called Turquoise due to the Indian mining activities and to lay out the historical context of the town of Courtlan which was founded later.

These tours are by special reservation which is preferably made at least two weeks in advance of the requested date. Although less than 4 reservations can be requested, the tour may be cancelled if less than a total of four reservations is made prior to the tour date.

The tour commences at 7:00 a.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early so we can check you in.) Tour participants will meet at the Grassy Park in old town Bisbee where they will be transported to and from the tour sites. Approximate total time including transportation is 8 hours.

Tour participants will be outfitted with hiking sticks, day packs, two liters of water and snacks. Hiking shoes and long pants are required. Long sleeve shirts, sunscreen and gloves are recommended. This does not require mountain climbing equipment or technical climbing expertise, but some uneven ground and/or loose rock may be encountered.