Miners Peak Tour - 3 Hours - Mountaintop
Explore Old Bisbee, Juniper Flats (Offroad), Open-pit Mines, and Lowell
Get ready for a thrilling adventure on our premier Bisbee 4x4 off road tour to Miners Peak. This rugged, 3-hour private Jeep excursion climbs rough, primitive mountain roads up to Juniper Flats in the Mule Mountains, reaching an elevation of 7,005 feet. At the peak, you will experience stunning 360-degree panoramic overlooks that stretch 150 miles across Cochise County and deep into Mexico. Afterward, we descend to explore Old Bisbee, massive open-pit copper mines, and Lowell Americana.
$120 - Adult | $109 - Senior | $60 Youth | Under 13 - Free
Bumpy Travel | Private Tour | 3 Hours
Meet Travis - Owner and 4th-Generation Local Guide
Who is Travis?
"I’m a fourth-generation Bisbee native, born here in 1966. My great-grandfather 'GG' arrived in 1913 and worked the Lowell Mine, planting our family roots deep in this beloved town. After high school, college, and raising my family in Phoenix, I came home in 2015. Now I lead tours, sharing Bisbee’s rich history, hoping every visitor falls in love with my hometown as I have."
“Why I love this tour” - a personal note from Travis
"I love this tour because it combines the mining history of Old Bisbee, the Open Pits, Lowell Americana, with an hour of off-road, mountaintop, scenic travel to Juniper Flats. Guests get to see a part of Bisbee that few realize exists. We can even see the Rincoln Mountians by Tucson."
Itinerary at a Glance
Old Bisbee
Your tour winds through historic Old Bisbee’s steep streets with miners’ homes, the first jail, Lyric Theater, and Pythian Castle, then explores Brewery Gulch’s red-light district, scary stairs, and the vibrant bar district with Arizona’s oldest bar. Travis watched 'Jaws' and 'Star Wars' at the Lyric in the 70's.
It continues past the Copper Queen Hotel and historic sites to Quality Hill’s stunning 150-mile vistas into Mexico, then through Main Street and the shopping district to the off-road mountaintop at Juniper Flats.
Juniper Flats
As your tour vehicle climbs the 2.5 miles of winding off-road dirt road to Juniper Flats, the landscape opens into one of southern Arizona’s most expansive panoramas. Guests are often in awe of the sweeping views of the Chiricahua, Huachuca, Santa Rita, Whetstone, and Rincon Mountains, plus parts of Douglas, the border wall, and a stunning 150-mile vista deep into Mexico. The high-elevation juniper woodland feels wonderfully remote from Bisbee’s streets.
Wildlife sightings are possible here, with coues deer, snakes, hawks, and occasional black bears or coatimundi. Your guide, Travis, knows the area well - he hunted elusive Mearns quail here as a boy with his dad - and his personal stories bring the landscape to life. This peaceful high-country stop is the perfect complement to the historic downtown areas.
Open-Pit Mines
En route to the Lavender Pit lookout, Travis shares the rich mining history of the valley, its legendary high-concentration ore veins, and the stories of the cities that once thrived here. Guests are captivated by the stunning array of colors in the landscape, and Travis often adds a personal connection: his great-grandfather, known as “GG,” began the family legacy in Lowell in 1913 as a miner. The original town of Lowell was later relocated to make way for the expansion of the massive Lavender Pit.
From the dramatic viewpoint, guests discover how the Lavender Pit earned its name while admiring the vivid mineral striations painted across the pit walls, historic headframes marking the deepest tunnels, the immense scale of the copper mining process, and Bisbee’s famous turquoise veins.
Lowell - Americana
On the way to what remains of Lowell along Erie Street, the tour passes striking evidence of smelter smoke damage before offering a final panoramic look at the massive open pits. Guests then step back in time in Lowell’s beautifully preserved 1950s Americana, with its classic storefronts and colorful vintage cars curated by Jay Allen. Most guests are shocked by the scene, admitting they had no idea this slice of mid-century America still existed in Bisbee. Travis points out the Fox Hole bar where, as teenagers, he and his friends were famously escorted out by their collars.
Additional highlights along the route include the whimsical vintage Airstreams and Dot’s Diner at the Shady Dell, the historic Evergreen Cemetery with over 10,000 graves and the founder’s headstone, the impressive copper doors of Lowell School, and Kenneth Ober’s unique ‘Chairy Tree’ art installation along the way back to Old Bisbee.
Additional Helpful Notes About the Tour
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Not Wheelchair Accessable
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Children under 13 tour for free
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The maximum capacity is four guests
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Car seats are not provided
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Not recommended for pregnant guests
What Do I Need To Bring on Tour?
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Sun Protection
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Bisbee is a little closer to the sun at around 5500 ft elevation for our tours. Hats are encouraged along with sunscreen and sunglasses.
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Layered Clothing
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Although average temperatures are generally mild, wind and different tour start and ending times could be chilly.
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Insect Repellent
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Bisbee has No-See-Ums, especially during the monsoon season. Bring along a strong insect repellent or stay covered up.
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Comfortable, Closed-Toe Shoes
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There is minimal walking of a few yards on some tours, with plenty of photo stops. Unfortunately, Harvester Ants call Bisbee home and pack a painful sting. Closed-toe shoes are a great idea.
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We go to you - you can choose your pickup location during online booking.
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Booking In Advance
Cutoff: 1 Hour
Know Before You Go
Minimum age of participants is: Any
Maximum age of participants is: Any
Pickup, Parking & Meeting Point
We Meet You Where It's Convenient
Getting to your Jeep Tour is straightforward and stress-free. We offer a central meeting location in Old Bisbee, with free guest-choice pickup available within Bisbee city limits when arranged in advance.
Our Default Meeting Location is at 10 Copper Queen Plaza
This easy-to-find downtown location is our default meeting point and works well for guests driving in who want to park and walk to the default location.
If you're staying in town or prefer that Travis pick you up, we offer free pickup at any Bisbee city-limit location. Your pickup location could be a parking lot, restaurant, shop, hotel, or Airbnb.
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Free and paid public parking is available near the meeting point
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Please arrive 10 minutes early to ensure a relaxed start
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Comfortable step-in access makes boarding easy for all guests
FAQS
Are tours private?
Yes. Every Big Jeep Tour is private for your group.
How long is the MINER PEAK TOUR?
About 3 hours, including photo stops.
Do you go off-road?
Yes, we use established roads suitable for a rugged Jeep ride. No hiking is required.
Do you go to the Lavender Pit?
Yes, we stop at the overlook on its edge and view down to the bottom of the open pits.
Where do we meet?
We provide free pickup within Bisbee city limits or you can meet us at 10 Copper Queen Plaza.
Is it suitable for limited mobility?
Yes. Our vehicles have easy step-in access. Tell us any needs when booking.
What if the weather changes?
We will cancel the tour in the event of snow or ice.
Testimonial
The Miners Peak Tour was fantastic!! Travis grew up in Bisbee and is a 3rd generation resident. Travis provided so much history with so much detail on Bisbee and a few of the surrounding areas. His tour included information on Bisbee from the beginning to current. We explored tight, hilly neighborhoods with so much character and rough, winding, hilly roads to reach the mountaintop that had breathtaking views!! There was SO much to see and take in on this tour! Travis pointed out several places to have our lunch, the one we chose was so delicious! The jeep was so comfortable with lots of room. He kept us both entertained and enthralled with all of his historic Bisbee knowledge! We highly recommend Big Jeep Tours! It was the highlight of our week-long visit to Arizona!
