Arizona Ghost Towns: Ruby Arizona

Ruby Arizona
Photo by David McErlean

After an hour on a dirt road hugging the U.S. Mexico border, I came to the town of Ruby Ariz. Not sure on what to expect from the Ghost Town in the middle of no where, I drove in to explore.

Ruby is an old mining town that was abandoned in the 50's. Now, it is used as a tourist attraction with the historic town to search through, fishing and hiking.

School House in Ruby Ariz.
Photo by David McErlean

With a few of its original buildings still standing, Ruby is a great place to get lost in time while exploring the old fashioned school house and other buildings around the property. After exploring the remnants of the mine, it's easy to pick up a trail leading into the Coronado National Forest.

In the summer time, Ruby is home to thousands of bats living in the mine shaft. When the bats leave, it is said that they look like a cloud of smoke, flowing out of the tunnel for up to an hour.

The area is most popular for bird watching and fishing. The ponds hold trophy size bass and other game fish. The lake is quiet and you are almost guarantied to have it all to yourself. Ruby is open to the public Thursday through Sunday.

Things to remember: Make sure to fill you car with gas before getting onto the 289 from Nogales and bring food and water for the day; there isn't anything near Ruby. The road is dirt but maintained and patrolled often by U.S. Border Patrol.

Work Truck in Ruby Ariz.
Photo by David McErlean

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