Most buildings in Swansea were built of either cement or adobe. Some, like these remains, may have combined the two compounds.

Swansea is arguably the most well known, most visited, and the best kept ghost town in Arizona—and it’s still well worth a visit for off-roaders. The BLM has taken it upon itself to maintain the buildings in Swansea in a state of what’s called “arrested decay.” The BLM has also erected several “cabanas” around the townsite (shaded picnic tables beneath roofs), so be sure to take picnic supplies with you—and don’t forget your camera. In fact, the two-lane (for the most part) dirt road leading to Swansea is sufficient for an RV, if you drive slowly, and the area around Swansea is great area for extended exploring either with ATV or SUV (and Alamo Lake and the Bill Williams River are nearby for quick dips to remove the dust of riding).

We believe this was once the largest hotel in town because it was a multi-story building.

To reach Swansea, top off your fuel tank and take Arizona SR 95 (not to be confused with US 95, which is in California) south out of Lake Havasu City toward Parker. Very near the Parker Dam (which holds back the waters of Lake Havasu), you’ll turn left (east) on Planet Ranch Road, which is a dirt road (clear your trip odometer here). Even though it becomes an unnamed road, you continue on this road for 6.7 miles and turn right on Mineral Wash Road for 2.9 miles, then left on Swansea Road. You’ll stay on this road right into the center of “town.”

Concrete foundations and a large slag hill are all that remain of the Swansea mill.

Swansea is different than most other southwestern ghost towns; it wasn’t founded in the nineteenth century. It dates to 1908 and boasted electric lighting, an automobile dealer, and—naturally—several saloons. However, its mines closed in 1937. Perhaps because of its later birth day—and the lack of a nearby forest—many of the town’s buildings were built of concrete or adobe rather than wood. For this reason, Swansea boasts some of the best preserved buildings in Arizona. In one of the buildings, you can see ceiling and flooring wood and even fixtures for electric lights. A wind storm in 1993 played havoc with some houses, but many other buildings remain at the site.

Be careful! Loose soil and gravel cover much of the ground around the Swansea ruins, and a walking stick may prove its worth on this hill alone.

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A few miles north of Swansea, you’ll find the Bill Williams River and Alamo Lake, both suitable for cooling-off dips.

I feel a warning should be issued here. There are many open vertical mine shafts in the area, so watch your kids and dogs. The BLM guidebook indicates that some of the shafts are over 1,000 feet deep, with eroded shaft collars and unstable, loose gravel around the edges. Be careful!

In addition to the cabanas, the BLM has set up an information board and guest log in the center of town. The board has a pretty good map and information on the buildings around you. As I said earlier, the BLM started a much needed restoration and preservation project. The adobe miners’ quarters now have tin roofs (the old ceilings and floorboards were exposed to the elements), which protect the artwork on the stucco walls. There are several outhouses in the area, and the railroad station appears to have repairs in progress to stucco and structure.

Among the scattered debris around Swansea ruins, you may find some souvenir stones.

Any fairly recent college graduate has heard of Lake Havasu City and its wild spring breaks. Although the weather is at its finest in the area during the spring, if you don’t want to have problems with hotel or campground reservations, avoid Spring Break time for visiting.

Likewise, any off-road racing fan has heard of the great Parker off-road races, now called the Parker 425. It’s part of the Best in the Desert series and is usually planned for around the beginning of March; check the Best in the Desert’s calendar of events if you wish to combine the Parker 425 with a Swansea visit.

You’ll enjoy the views from the picnic cabanas at Swansea, such as this one near the top of a hill.

In addition to the Swansea road, you’ll find many trails in the area; some more difficult, some just as easy. For some books on the subject, see 4-wheel Drive Roads of Mohave County, 4-wheel Drive Roads of Yavapai County, Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps, Backcountry Adventures Arizona, Ghost Towns of Arizona, and Ghost Towns of the Southwest.

Keep your eyes peeled for wild burros while you’re in the area. This Jack (they’re called Jacks and Jennies for some reason) watched us drive by from a safe perch on the canyon rim (perhaps his harem of Jennies were on the far side, out of sight).

GPS readings to Swansea
Left turn on Planet Ranch Road                       N34* 17.6809’             W114* 5.8161’
Right turn on Mineral Wash Road                    N34* 15.3049’             W114* 0.6011’
Left turn on Swansea Road                              N34* 12.8709’             W113* 59.9208’
Swansea                                                           N34* 10.1982’             W113* 50.7629’