Keane Wonder Mine is a restored gold-mining site on the east side of Death Valley, below the Funeral Mountains off Beatty Cutoff Road. Its aerial tramway, which dropped ore about 1,500 feet from the mine to the mill, is among the best-preserved in the park, and the site reopened to visitors in 2017 after years of safety closure.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Last verified: 6/13/2026
Overview
Keane Wonder was one of the more productive gold operations in Death Valley in the early 1900s. The tramway ran on two terminals and thirteen towers, dropping roughly 1,500 vertical feet to move ore from the workings high on the slope down to the stamp mill. The Park Service closed the site for years over hazards from open shafts and unstable structures, then stabilized it and reopened it in November 2017.
What to See
The mill ruins and the lower tramway terminal stand near the parking area. A steep trail climbs alongside the tramline toward the upper workings, gaining hard elevation on an exposed slope. Old mine openings remain throughout the area.
Know Before You Go
The access road off Beatty Cutoff is graded dirt and usually fine for standard cars. There is no water or shade, and the upper trail is strenuous, so carry water and avoid summer heat. Keep well clear of shafts and adits, which are unstable.