WICKENBURG, ARIZONA – Wickenburg, Arizona Information

Wickenburg owes it existence to the discovery of gold at the Vulture Mine by Henry Wickenburg. More gold was produced at the Vulture mine than any other mine in Arizona. Some say that the gold that remains buried at the mine is more than what has already been taken! The gold that was mined was used in part to fund the canals from the Salt River providing the financing needed to improve the desert valley and the establishment of Phoenix.

Along with the miners came the area’s ranchers. The Hassayampa River provided a fertile area for the ranchers to raise their stock. Along with the railroad route 60 from Phoenix to Los Angeles brought tourists seeking ‘the cowboy life’ vacation. Wickenburg then became known as the ‘Dude Ranch capitol of the World’. Some of these very same dude ranches still exist today in the Wickenburg area.

The Hassayampa River is mostly an underground water flow originating just south of Prescott, Arizona. However, the river flows to the surface just south of downtown Wickenburg. In the past, the banks of the Hassayampa River were abundant with wildlife making the area ‘prime property’ for the Yavapai indians and local settlers...the cause for many a conflict between the two. Today, you can visit the preserve just south of town and take a tour along the river.

Wickenburg is a great place to rest yur iron, grab a bite to eat, and visit the old railroad depot. Bikers riding east to west and north to south park their bikes along main street while visiting some of the shops lining the street. Wickenburg lies at the intersection of highway 60 and 93 making it a very busy little town. In this part of the desert there is no interstate to be found so the roads are mostly two lanes cutting across the desert. Make sure you take time to ride to the Vulture mine when you visit Wickenburg.