Swansea Townsite

Total Miles
39.2

Elevation

544.00 ft

Duration

4 Hours

Technical Rating

2

Easy

Best Time

Fall, Winter, Spring

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Swansea Townsite
6

Trail Overview

Take this desert drive off the beaten path to visit Swansea Townsite, an historic town with some really unique ruins. ATVs and UTVs will love all of the side roads available along this route.

Photos of Swansea Townsite

Swansea Townsite
Swansea Townsite

Difficulty

Easy: Mostly graded, but last few miles before townsite meanders up and down steep hills. Trip to pumping station is mix of sandy washes and moderately steep rocky sections. Stock SUVs to townsite. Higher clearance and 4WD needed to reach pumping station.

History

Mining began here in the 1860s with mixed results. Not until copper mining exploded in the early 1900s did the town take off, growing to about 500 people. The railroad helped make the mine profitable for a while, but everything shut down for the last time in 1944.

Technical Rating

2

Status Reports

Wyatt Pace
Nov 27, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Steve Catlin
Jan 09, 2024
4x4
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
This road is called shea road, not swansee

Access Description

From center of Parker where Highway 95 makes 90-degree turn, head south on 95 about 1.5 miles to well-marked Shea Road on left. Pavement improves as you head east.

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