Diggers Borderwall Tour - 3 Hours
Explore Old Bisbee, the Open-pit Mines, Lowell, and the Border Wall
Take an educational, private US Mexico border wall tour with our informative 3-hour Diggers Borderwall excursion. Leaving the downtown historic district behind, this mild travel Jeep tour ventures south toward Naco, Arizona, to examine current events through a local lens. You will explore historic military outposts at Fort Naco, see expansive high-desert vistas, and view the border wall up close while learning the deep geopolitical and cultural mining history of the borderlands region.
$105 - Adult | $95 - Senior | $53 Youth | Under 13 - Free
Mild 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 and the open pits. It also visits Lowell and Erie Street and then gives guests a chance to see the hoopla involved with the border wall up close. You can touch it. We even drive past my old house in Galena along the way, where I grew up."
Itinerary at a Glance
Old Bisbee
Your Diggers Borderwall 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 dramatic Lavender Pit overlook.
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 to Naco.
Naco
In Naco, tour guests experience a compelling blend of living border history and surprising military landmarks. They stand beside the imposing border wall that divides the twin towns of Naco, Arizona, and Naco, Sonora, then visit the remarkably preserved Fort Naco, a historic U.S. Army post from the 1910s. Many guests are genuinely surprised to discover the fort, admitting they had no idea such a significant historic site existed so close to the border.
Guests also learn about the first foreign aerial bomber in American history - Patrick Murphy’s chaotic 1913 biplane mission for Pancho Villa.
Travis loves sharing that, as a child, he used to ride the school bus across the border on elementary school field trips into Naco, Sonora. Guests hear the wild tale of Murphy’s drunken bombing run - homemade bombs lit with cigarettes from a wobbly biplane - while standing on the very ground where history unfolded.
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: 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: Although average temperatures are generally mild, wind and different tour start and ending times could be chilly.
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Insect Repellent: 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: 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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Guest-choice Pickup: We go to you - you can choose your pickup location during online booking.
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 DIGGERS BORDERWALL TOUR?
About 3 hours, including photo stops.
Do you go off-road?
No. This is a pavement-only, mild street tour.
Do you go to the Lavender Pit?
Yes. We stop at safe rim overlooks (we do not enter the pit).
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 about any needs when booking.
Can I touch the Border Wall?
Yes, we will walk about 50 yards to the wall next to the port of entry and you can touch the wall there.
Testimonial
Travis is the bomb diggity! His Personal knowledge of Bisbee made our experience with Big Jeep Tours truly amazing! He's respectful and loves the area with a passion. An ride with him is a ride with history. It was so good that I'm bringing more family members in July! Thanks Travis! Shirlene, Rachel, Kimberly
