Smelters Ballpark Tour & Warren Historic Tour
3-Hour Private Jeep Tour to Warren and the Ballpark
Step back in time on a private, 3-hour historic exploration through Bisbee's most fascinating and controversial neighborhoods. This mild-travel Jeep tour connects the bustling mining hub of Old Bisbee the open-pit mines, and Lowell Americana to the beautifully preserved streets of Warren and Bakerville. Perfect for history buffs and sports fans alike, you will uncover the hidden layers of a community built on copper, ambition, and the German threat during WW2.
$105 - Adult | $95 - Senior | $53 Youth | Under 13 - Free
Mild Travel | Private Tour | 3 Hours
Written & Guided by Travis Bishop - 4th-generation Bisbee native and owner of Big Jeep Tours
Who is Travis?
"I'm a 4th-generation Bisbee native who was born in Bisbee in 1966. My great-grandfather 'GG' arrived in 1913 and worked in the Lowell Mine. I graduated from Bisbee High School in 1984, went to college at N.A.U., and raised a family in Phoenix. I moved back to Bisbee in 2015, and I lead tours to share the remarkable history of my hometown, Bisbee, Arizona - because I think Bisbee needs more attention."
“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 the history of Warren and its famous ballpark. Guests get to learn about the other side of the deportation and how my family participated."
Itinerary at a Glance
Old Bisbee
Your Smelters Ballpark 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 open mine pits on State Route 80..
Open Pits
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
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.
Warren
The historic district of Warren serves as a living museum, engineered in 1905 as Arizona's first planned green suburbs to house upper-management mining executives. As our Jeep glides past the mansions on Vista Avenue, you will discover the immense wealth generated by the Calumet & Arizona Mining Company.
The centerpiece of this neighborhood is the legendary Warren Ballpark, which has operated continuously since 1909. This field holds a deeply personal connection for me; it’s where I played football as a kid, once getting my hand completely shattered mid-game. My coaches kept me from ever exiting the field.
It was right here at the ballpark that the diabolical 1917 Bisbee Deportation reached its climax, where over a thousand striking miners were rounded up at gunpoint by a deputized sheriff's posse. Guests are often left visibly shocked as we stop on the exact ground where these workers were forced onto cattle cars and abandoned in the desert.
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 end 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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More Information
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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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 SMELTERS BALLPARK TOUR?
About 3 hours, including photo stops.
Do you go off-road?
No, this is a street-only tour and mild travel.
Do you go to the Lavender Pit?
Yes, we view the open pits from the lookout, which is a few feet from the edge.
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.
Do we go inside the ballpark?
No. We park above it and look down into it as well as drive around or stop at the grandstands.
TESTIMONIAL
Best Tour In Bisbee !!!
Travis is awesome. So knowledgeable and interesting. Knows these towns inside out!!! Wonderful tour of so many off the beaten path places. Loved it !!