Gouda’s Field Guide
Historic places to explore on a weekend from Florence, Arizona, all reachable without an off-road vehicle. Hidden gems, famous landmarks, ghost towns, and trips into every neighboring state. Tap “Ghost town” to see every abandoned or ghost town on the list.
Before you go
Roads, seasons and permits
- Roads: “Graded dirt” means fine for a car when dry. Skip dirt roads during and right after monsoon rain (July to mid-September).
- Season: October through April is best. In summer, shoot at dawn and carry plenty of water.
- Drive times are approximate, one way from Florence, AZ.
- Permits: Sites on tribal land may need a permit. Hours, tour days and road conditions change, so check each site before you drive.
Ghost towns to skip
- Ruby, AZ and Steins, NM are closed to visitors.
- Stanton and Two Guns, AZ are private property.
- Swansea, Signal, Copper Creek and Cerbat, AZ need a high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle.
- Never enter mine shafts or tunnels, and don’t climb on unstable walls.
Hours, tours and road conditions change; confirm before you go. Your visited checklist is saved only in this browser.