Entry No. 52 — the Las Vegas file — filed under: history
Sunday Mine
The Sunday Mine was an isolated gypsum mining complex of the historic Arden Plaster Mines, which operated in southwest Las Vegas from 1907 to 1930. The ore was originally hauled via a narrow-gauge railroad to the Arden Plaster Mill before the mine was abandoned when deposits were exhausted. Today, the site features remnants of old railroad grades, concrete foundations, and sealed adits, though modern residential developments have encroached right up to the hillside.
The story
Long before Spring Valley was filled in with stucco subdivisions, this hillside was industrial ground zero. Between 1907 and 1930, the Arden Plaster Mines scraped gypsum out of the southwest valley, relying on the isolated Sunday Mine complex to keep the operation running. Ore was dumped onto narrow-gauge train cars and trundled down the mountain to the Arden Plaster Mill. When the mineral deposits were exhausted, the machinery stopped, leaving behind cut-and-fill rail beds, heavy concrete equipment pads, and open adits cut into the desert rock.
What makes the site strange today is the stark friction between century-old industrial decay and modern Las Vegas sprawl. Suburban backyards now butt directly against the base of the slope. For decades, locals explored the open portals, but the Bureau of Land Management permanently plugged the shafts in 2018 for safety. You won't be going underground here, but standing on a 1910s narrow-gauge railroad grade with residential rooftops below your boots and the distant Las Vegas skyline on the horizon feels like looking at two completely different centuries glued together.
What it's like
Expect a fringe-of-suburbia hike where old rail cuts serve as your footpath above the neighborhood rooftops. The actual mine adits are completely plugged by the BLM, and private fences encroach right onto the lower slope, so you'll need to respect boundary lines and stick strictly to public dirt contours. What you get instead are clear views of old concrete foundations, the old narrow-gauge railroad routes, and a sweeping panorama of the Las Vegas basin. Wear sturdy shoes for the loose gravel, stay off private property, and bring a good lens if you want to frame early-1900s industrial ruins against modern high-rises.
The move: Take a scenic hike along the historic narrow-gauge railroad grades near the base of the hills to photograph the old concrete foundations and enjoy views of the Las Vegas skyline, keeping a safe distance from any sealed mine portals.
📍 Before you go The mine adits were completely sealed off by the BLM in 2018 for safety, and the surrounding area is heavily encroached by private residential developments, making the actual mine site off-limits and physically inaccessible.
- 📍 Spring Valley
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Sunday Mine, Spring Valley, NV 89113, USA
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.
Pair it with
- True REST Float Spa – Las Vegas — Rinse off the trail dust in a sensory deprivation pod just 1.5 miles away down Rainbow Boulevard.
- Enchanted Forest Reiki Center — Pair your scramble through historic industrial ruins with a browse through crystals and metaphysical supplies down in Spring Valley.
- The Golden Tiki — Swap dusty 1910s mine foundations for 24-hour flaming tiki cocktails and pirate lore in Chinatown.
- Pinball Hall of Fame — Trade early 20th-century plaster mill history for hundreds of playable vintage coin-op machines south of the Strip.
Good to know
Can I go inside the Sunday Mine shafts or tunnels?
No. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completely plugged and sealed all open mine portals and adits in 2018 due to safety concerns, making the interior workings entirely off-limits and physically inaccessible.
What did the Sunday Mine actually produce?
It was an isolated gypsum mining complex operating as part of the historic Arden Plaster Mines, active in southwest Las Vegas from 1907 until deposits were exhausted around 1930.
How do I safely visit the remnants today?
Hike along the public dirt narrow-gauge railroad grades near the base of the hills, keep a safe distance from sealed portals, and ensure you do not cross into the private residential properties bordering the hillside.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: silverstatespecialties.com · reviewjournal.com
last checked: 2026-07-20