Private Tour
Rockhounding in Bisbee
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the adventure of a lifetime with our Bisbee Rockhounding Tour! Journey through the rugged landscapes of this historic mining town as you hunt for rare and beautiful gems and minerals. Guided by local experts, you’ll uncover treasures like azurite, malachite, and turquoise while learning about the area’s rich mining heritage. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious beginner, this hands-on adventure offers a perfect blend of education, exploration, and discovery. Immerse yourself in the stunning desert scenery and take home your own unique finds from this unforgettable day of rockhounding.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Mineral exploration
What To Expect
Bisbee, Arizona, once a booming mining town, is a hidden gem for rockhounding enthusiasts. Nestled in the Mule Mountains, this historic town is renowned for its rich mineral deposits, offering visitors a unique opportunity to uncover a variety of beautiful and rare specimens. Known primarily for its copper mining history, Bisbee also holds a treasure trove of minerals such as malachite, azurite, and turquoise, which can still be found in the surrounding hills and tailings left behind from mining operations. For rockhounding enthusiasts, Old Bisbee presents a rare chance to explore both its scenic beauty and geological wonders. Whether you’re an experienced collector or a beginner, there’s something for everyone. The region’s colorful rocks and minerals are not only beautiful but also historically significant, with many specimens found in Bisbee displayed in museums worldwide. This is a 20 minute walk in old Bisbee searching local areas for copper minerals. Then we drive to two different locations about 4 miles away to find more cool rocks. You will leave with local Bisbee minerals
Options
Rockhounding in Bisbee
Reviews
33 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must do 100% would do again.
christinalK2773JH,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely a great experience!! We did the nighttime phosphorus rock hounding. Sean was full of knowledge about the rocks and how they were formed, what we were looking for. History about Bisbee and the mining in the early 1900's. He also provided all the equipment. Would absolutely recommend. Great fun for kids.
Sean is an extremely...
Allison R,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sean is an extremely knowledgeable guide. Great tour for families with children. We really enjoyed rockhounding in Bisbee!
Wonderful Experience
Jolea S,
Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Sean is very knowledgeable and so kind. I booked a tour for my mom and I, and my mom absolutely loved it and all the rocks we found! We can't wait to come back. You'll have a great time with Sean!
A fun outing for the hobby rock hound!
johnvD7377QS,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We met up with Sean, our guide, and as it happened, were the only ones going that day! So we had him all to ourselves. He was very knowledgeable and took us to 2 different sites with different types of rocks. Had loads of fun prowling through the mine tailings for malachite, chrysacola and some azurite. The desert scenery with the forest of ocotillo and storm clouds on distant mountains was atmospheric. We collected some good samples at both sites. Had good conversations with Sean and filled the 2hrs very pleasantly!
Valuable trip, went home with lots of cool rocks!
kimgG3419UC,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rockhouding with Sean was excellent fun and so educational! My husband and I like rockhounding, collect a lot of rocks, but we are total amateurs when it comes to identifying them. A guided tour, where we could ask a million questions and get help ID-ing rocks was exactly what we wanted. Sean actually provides a lot more than just basic ID. He was a wealth of historical information, enthusiasm, and taught us how to find other rockhounding spots in our area. I brought a small bucket, a small hand pick, a brush, a roll of masking tape and a pen (tape for writing rock names on, and taping around rocks we found). We learned so many techniques for identifying rocks, testing them for the ability to be tumbled, as well as how to find rock-rich areas on a satellite map. Also the legality of picking up rocks on specific lands. My interest in the tour might sound a little technical. The actual experience was like being 5 years old again at the seashore. Sean knew how to keep a pace going, help us find things and stay interested. You can tell he is experienced with children, too. This trip would be fun for a whole family, not just adults. If we do this again, we will do his nighttime rock hunt. That one sounds very cool as it shows a different side to the minerals. Highly recommend for nearly all ages (maybe not super young kids?). A great value!
Fun rock hounding. Knowledgeable tour guide looked for various rocks in several locations,
Amy S,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had fun learning about various rocks and where to find them in Bisbee. Terrain was easy to walk. I recommend good shoes and jeans as we did go in the desert and everything has thorns.
Family Rockhounding
carolynnjanis,
Jul 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family had a wonderful time. I'll admit I was skeptical at first. Everything looked the same but shortly after Sean was very helpful in helping you identify what to look for. He would hand out his finds to the group as well. He's extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We found many things to include Azurite, banded Jasper, Malachite, Pyrite, petrified wood, and even a small piece of turquoise. Sean found a nice rock with a vein of silver that he gifted to me. I would highly recommend. He offers a night tour which I will definitely try the next time we are in the area. I found myself looking down at rocks the rest of the trip!
We had so much fun!
Passport68231050838,
Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sean was a great guide! He was knowledgeable about the area and the rocks we were finding. He told us some very interesting history of the mining industry. We found some really fun things: azure, turquoise, uranium glass, a shell fossil, petrified wood, malachite, jasper, and many other cool rocks.
Rockhounding with Shawn.
50jodyh,
Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We found so many cool rocks. Shawn was very knowledgeable and helpful. He was also super friendly! We thoroughly enjoyed our rockhounding and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in rocks!!
Fun Trip
Earthtraveler1,
May 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Didn’t find any real keepers but had fun finding some cool rocks. Make sure you take a bag or bucket to hold your treasures.
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