Take a tour of Wickenburg – virtually! Sit back, relax, and enjoy your tour of Wickenburg.
THE WALKING TOUR
Once you arrive in Wickenburg, stop by the Visitors Center, located in the historic Santa Fe Depot at 216 N. Frontier Street. Be sure to grab the Historical Walking Tour, a brochure that guides you to all the must-see attractions in downtown Wickenburg.
The historic Santa Fe Depot was originally built in 1895, and is now home to the Visitor Center and the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce.Along the Walking Tour you’ll find several statues located downtown, such as the one pictured. Each statue has a button beside them. Press the button and listen to an audio about the history behind that character.The Jail Tree is another feature along the Walking Tour. The 200-year-old tree served as the town’s jail from 1863 to 1890.The Cultural Crossroads Learning Center, located behind the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Joe Beeler’s bronze sculpture “Thanks for the Rain” (1988) sits in the courtyard.Along the Walking Tour, you’ll find the historic A.T. & Santa Fe Railroad Engine 761. The engine is a class 2-8-0 and was built in 1890.Sitting proudly beside Engine 761 is the restored 1900 Series Southern Pacific Drover Caboose. Get a tour of the caboose from our volunteer Jim Bansner.Be sure to stop by this incredible recent addition to downtown Wickenburg, located on Valentine Street. Mural by artist Kim Polomka.
GUEST RANCHES & ACCOMMODATIONS
EXPLORE WICKENBURG’S WESTERN HOSPITALITY
Wickenburg’s western heritage is still honored and celebrated today. Experience the authentic Wild West at one of our beautiful guest ranches.
Castle Hot Springs is another hidden gem found near Wickenburg. Originally established in 1896 as a wellness resort, the springs have hosted many guests throughout its history. Castle Hot Springs has been beautifully revitalized over the last few years, and is now a luxurious oasis in the desert.
Flying E Guest RanchRancho de los CaballerosEnjoy guided horseback rides at each of our guest ranches.Kay El Bar Guest RanchKay El Bar Ranch’s manager Ken O’Connell is interviewed for Cowboy Channel’s Wild Rides series.
ANNUAL EVENTS
GATHERING AS A COMMUNITY
Wickenburg is proud to host several annual events throughout the year, welcoming visitors from near and far. Be sure to check our calendar and plan a visit for our annual events!
Fiesta de Septiembre celebrates Wickenburg’s Hispanic heritage with festive music, Folklorico dancers, cuentos (stories) and historic photographs.Local groups also compete in the wreath contest guacamole contest, margarita contest, and salsa contest. Vote for your favorites to win People’s Choice!Each October, vintage planes and classic cars arrive in style for our Fly-in & Classic Car Show.View vintage planes and learn more from the proud owners.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe annual Bluegrass Festival is held every November and features live classic bluegrass music.Cheer on contestants that compete in various categories, including banjo, mandolin, flat pick guitar, and more.The annual Cowboy Christmas Poetry Gathering is held every December, and highlights poets that celebrate western heritage through poetry, songs, and stories.Set up your lawn chairs and watch as the streets of downtown Wickenburg glow with decorative floats. This event is held every December and is Wickenburg’s way of welcoming the holiday season.Guys Who Grill is a heated grilling competition held every April, where competitors enter their best BBQ in six delicious categories.For over 70 years, over 100 cowboys set out on the six-day Desert Caballeros Trail Ride through the desert. Every April, they leave on horseback from the public library, heading through downtown and off into the desert.
GOLD RUSH DAYS
CELEBRATING WICKENBURG’S HISTORY
Wickenburg’s annual Gold Rush Days celebrates the town’s origins as a ranching and gold mining center, years before Phoenix came to be. The heritage event was founded over 70 years ago, and today Gold Rush Days draws tens of thousands of visitors during the three days of activities.
Activities include the classic car show, Gold Rush Days parade, senior pro rodeo, family-fun carnival, and much more. Dive into the event in the photos below.
The beautiful Wells Fargo carriage is one of the many staples of Wickenburg’s annual Gold Rush Days. Catch us strolling through downtown during our 75th Annual Gold Rush Days, February 9-11, 2024!The Bill Williams Mountain Men bring the spirit of the old West to life. They’re responsible for all the hootin’ and hollerin’ in the Gold Rush Days parade! Read more about the Mountain Men here: https://bit.ly/3ch66FSOne highlight of the 2020 Gold Rush Days was the stunning Percheron team that joined us for the parade. It was truly a sight to see!One of the biggest aspects of Gold Rush Days is the senior pro rodeo. Seasoned contestants compete in several categories, including bronc riding, bull riding, team roping, and more. Cheer on the contestants and listen for the buzzer!Spectators at the rodeo also got to see the Percheron team strut their stuff!After a long day of Gold Rush events, visit the Saguaro Theater and enjoy the old-fashioned melodrama!
VULTURE CITY
LIVING HISTORY
The Vulture Mine originally began in 1863 when Henry Wickenburg discovered gold in a nearby quartz outcropping. As more gold was found, interest in the mine grew, and Vulture City came to be. In its heyday, Vulture City was home to a few thousand residents. Nowadays, Vulture City is a ghost town with many of the original buildings still in tact. The property is located about 14 miles outside of Wickenburg. Find out more on Vulture City’s website.
Vulture City’s winter hours are:
9:00am to 3:00pm, 7 days a week
Several historic items found in and around Vulture City are on display for the public’s viewing pleasure.Vulture City has recently added educational exhibits located throughout the property detailing how certain tools and buildings were once utilized.
DESERT CABALLEROS WESTERN MUSEUM
WESTERN ART & HISTORY
Desert Caballeros Western Museum has been preserving and displaying our local history for 60 years. The museum is one of the favorite stops for many Wickenburg visitors. The museum is located at 21 N. Frontier Street.
“Thanks for the Rain” sculpture by Joe Beeler (1988) sits in the courtyard beside the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.Explore and learn more about Wickenburg’s ranching and mining history.Enjoy a miniature version of an old western town, complete with historic objects, photographs, and even informative holograms!
Virtual Corral
Git your fixin's here in our virtual corral, a one-stop shop for brochures, video tours, posters, maps and more.
