Morenci Mine

This mine is the largest copper mine in Arizona, producing millions of pounds of copper each year.

You can find the Morenci Mine in southeast Arizona, and it happens to be one of the largest copper mines in the entire United States. The massive pit situated in the mesmerizing red-orange canyon is quite the sight – you might even feel like you’ve been transported to Mars. The mine was first discovered back in the late 1800s, and hundreds of millions of pounds of copper proceeded to be extracted over the years. There was a huge copper strike that took place over the course of 3 years in the 1980s, and the effects of this are still felt in the region today.

The mine still operates today, and visitors are welcome to stop by to take a tour and to learn about the lengthy and remarkable history that exists at the Morenci Mine. The tours are offered on Fridays and Saturdays, and you need to call in advance to set up a reservation.  The Morenci Mine is a great pitstop to make while adventuring along the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway.