Entry No. 49 — the Phoenix file — filed under: history
Union Mine
The Union Mine is a historic gold mine located in North Phoenix, dating back to its initial workings in 1881. The site features a 75-foot-deep vertical shaft that once tapped into a rich vein of gold ore. Today, the fenced-off shaft remains alongside scattered mining debris, rusted bolts, and old cans hidden against the hillside.
The story
Every day, thousands of commuters haul down Union Hills Drive without giving the street name a second thought. You didn't hear it from us, but the road wasn't named for some mid-century civic union—it was named after a hard-scrabble 19th-century gold mine tucked into a desert ridge south of Deer Valley Road. In 1881, prospectors gouged a 75-foot vertical shaft straight down into the mountain, betting their lives on a vein of gold ore locked in the rock.
Suburban subdivisions and the Loop 101 have since crept right up to the base of Union Mine Peak, but the top of the ridge remains strangely untouched by modern development. There are no gift shops, ranger stations, or polished boardwalks here. Instead, you get a industrial safety fence wrapped around a sheer vertical shaft, surrounded by desert scrub and iron junk that hasn't moved since the 1880s.
What it's like
Park near 16th Street south of Deer Valley Road and pick up the short, unpaved former mining road heading up the slope. The trek is brief but rocky and entirely exposed to the Arizona sun, so bring water and skip the midday heat. Near the top of the trail, you'll reach the fenced-off 75-foot vertical shaft, posted with red-and-white hazard signs. Pay attention to the ground along the path: scattered among the creosote are bent square-head rusted bolts, oxidized metal cans, and tailing rocks from the 1881 dig. From the perimeter fence, you get wide views across both Deer Valley and Paradise Valley.
The move: Hike the short, rocky trail along the old mining road to view the fenced-off shaft, search for historical debris like rusted bolts, and enjoy panoramic views of Paradise and Deer Valleys.
📍 Before you go The historic 75-foot-deep vertical shaft is fenced off with warning signs for public safety, but the surrounding trail and old mining road are accessible to hikers.
- 📍 Phoenix
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Union Mine, Phoenix, AZ 85024, USA
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.
Pair it with
- Fantasia Crystals & School of Magickal Arts (SOMA) — After sifting through 1880s mining scrap on the ridge, head less than four miles south to examine raw minerals and occult supplies.
- Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve — Trade 19th-century gold-rush ruins for thousands of years of Hohokam and Patayan petroglyphs etched into basalt boulders six miles west.
- Martin Auto Museum and Event Center — Swap oxidized 1880s iron hardware for 170 restored vintage automobiles in a nearby indoor Glendale facility.
Good to know
Can you go down into the mine shaft?
No. The 75-foot vertical shaft is completely enclosed by a chain-link safety fence with explicit warning signs. Going past the fence is dangerous and prohibited.
Where is the trailhead located?
Access is near 16th Street, just south of Deer Valley Road and north of the Loop 101 in North Phoenix.
Is there an admission fee or set hours?
No. It is an unmaintained historical ruin on open desert land, though you should confirm local site access before heading out.
Is Union Hills Drive actually named after this mine?
Yes. Arizona Department of Transportation records confirm the major North Phoenix thoroughfare took its name directly from the historic Union Mine.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: northphoenixblog.blogspot.com · surgent.net · azdot.gov
last checked: 2026-07-20