Entry No. 49 — the Las Vegas file — filed under: ruins

Old Pope Mine

The Old Pope Mine is a defunct prospecting site located in the rugged Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Little is documented about its active years, but it represents early 20th-century desert prospecting efforts in the region. Today, very little physical evidence remains aside from a few shallow shafts containing rickety, dangerous wooden ladders and minor debris.

The move: Drive up the scenic Indian Pass Overlook trail in a high-clearance vehicle to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Mead and the distant Las Vegas Strip, then take a short walk to photograph the surrounding desert landscape and the historic mine's surface area from a safe distance.

📍 Before you go The site is located on public land within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but the mine itself features dangerous, unfenced vertical shafts and unstable, decaying wooden ladders, making physical entry strictly off-limits for safety.

• 📍 Old Pope Mine
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Old Pope Mine, Arizona 86443, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: arizonahighways.com · onxmaps.com · npshistory.com

last checked: 2026-07-20