Tonopah Historic Mining Park

Scattered across the hills above Tonopah, these weathered headframes and stone foundations tell the story of Nevada’s last great silver rush. The Mizpah Mine and other operations once pulled millions of dollars worth of silver from these hills, creating a boomtown of 10,000 people in the middle of nowhere. You can walk among the ruins and peer down old shafts, imagining the constant noise of stamp mills and ore cars.

Self-guided trails wind between the major sites with interpretive signs explaining the mining process. The park is open year-round with no fees, though summer afternoons can be brutally hot. Some areas are fenced for safety, but there’s plenty to explore. Best views are from the upper headframes looking out over the modern town below.

Silver boom ruins overlooking Nevada's queen mining town