Lavender Pit, Huachuca Mountains Travel Guide

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Witness the vastness of the Lavender Pit, a historic open-pit copper mine and a testament to Bisbee's mining legacy.

The Lavender Pit is a former open-pit copper mine that stands as a visible reminder of Bisbee's rich mining history. Named after Harrison M. Lavender, who revolutionized copper extraction in the area, the pit offers a unique, if somewhat stark, landscape for visitors to explore from the rim.

A brief summary to Lavender Pit

Bisbee, Arizona, 85603, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Lavender Pit.

Visit the overlook during sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic lighting and photo opportunities.
Read the interpretive signs to understand the history and geological significance of the Lavender Pit.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum or the Copper Queen Mine for a more in-depth understanding of Bisbee's mining past.

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Getting There

Driving

The Lavender Pit overlook is located on AZ-80 between Old Bisbee and the neighborhood of Lowell. From downtown Bisbee, follow AZ-80 South. The overlook will be on your left, with ample parking available. There are no tolls on this route. Parking is free.
Public Transport

The Bisbee Bus provides transportation around Bisbee. Check the Bisbee Bus schedule for the most up-to-date route information to reach the Lavender Pit area. From there, it's a short walk to the viewing area. A single ride on the Bisbee Bus costs $1.
Walking

While possible, walking from downtown Bisbee to the Lavender Pit overlook involves a significant distance along AZ-80. Exercise caution as it is a highway. Consider utilizing other transport options.

Discover more about Lavender Pit

The Lavender Pit, a massive excavation site near Bisbee, Arizona, tells a story of ambition, industry, and transformation. Active from 1950 to 1974, the pit was the brainchild of Harrison M. Lavender, who sought to extract copper from previously unprofitable low-grade ore. The result was a 300-acre scar on the landscape, reaching depths of 900 feet, a testament to the sheer scale of mining operations.Over its lifespan, the Lavender Pit produced over 600,000 tons of copper, along with gold and silver byproducts. Interestingly, it also yielded Bisbee Blue turquoise, a highly prized gemstone. The mining activity dramatically reshaped the surrounding area, even leading to the demolition of parts of the nearby town of Lowell. Today, visitors can observe the pit from a designated overlook, complete with interpretive signage that explains the history and geology of the site. The layers of red, gray, yellow, and lavender-colored rock offer a glimpse into the earth's composition and the forces that shaped it.While mining operations ceased in 1974, the Lavender Pit remains a significant landmark, drawing tourists interested in Bisbee's mining heritage. The town itself has reinvented itself as an arts community and historical destination, embracing its past while looking towards the future.