Bisbee is a city best understood from above. Climb high enough and the whole improbable story reveals itself — the canyon carved by copper, the Victorian rooftops stacked against the hillside, the vast open wound of the Lavender Pit, and beyond it all, the wide sweep of the high desert stretching toward Mexico. Old Bisbee rewards those willing to go a little further — up a steep staircase, around a blind curve, down an unmarked road — with views that most visitors never find.
This guide covers nine of the best views in Old Bisbee, from the well-known Highway 80 Overlook to the quieter revelations of High Street, Castle Rock, Juniper Flats, and the Old Divide Road, with a few genuinely surprising stops along the way including the Bisbee Shrine and the hidden curiosity of the Buddha Cave.
Some you can reach on foot in minutes. Others require a short drive and a willingness to explore. All of them will change the way you see this city. Lace up your shoes, fill your water bottle, and go find the view.
The Highway Overlook
This view of Old Bisbee can be seen on a turnout off of Historic Highway 80. It’s an amazing “up close” view of downtown Old Bisbee with the iconic “B” on the hill in the background.
How to Get There (Driving): As you drive out of Old Bisbee, follow the signs pointing to Highway 80 west (Benson). As you leave downtown the road will curve sharply to the right and begin going uphill. Look for the turnout on the right side of the road. Pull over safely and park in this spot.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is located in the heart of Old Bisbee and provides one of the most dramatic views of the downtown area.
How to Get There (Walking): Ascend Staircase 56 up to Maxfiled Avenue. Turn left and walk on Maxfield Avenue to the base of Castle Rock, From here, it’s a short scramble up the side of the monolith to the “top of the rock” and an amazing view. Use caution climbing the rock and descending as the stone can be very slippery in places.
“The Ledge” Overlook
“The Ledge” Overlook gets it’s name from it’s location off of Staircase 54 which descends from Legde Avenue down to Main Street. This is one of the “hidden gems” of Bisbee in terms of its unique appeal and views of Main Street and Castle Rock.
How to Get There (Walking): Ascend Staircase 54 which is immediately to the right (west) of House Royale. Look for the open area and the ledge off to the right about half way up the stairs.
High Road Overlook
The High Road Overlook is located in a parking area at the top of Bisbee’s “highest” street. Please walk to this location as the road is very narrow and many residents live on this street. From here, you will be able to look down on Old Bisbee and see the massive Lavender Pit in the distance.
How to Get There (Walking): Ascend the Staircase 42 which is located near the intersection of Clawson Avenue and Shearer Avenue. Continue uphill on Staircase 43 after crossing Temby Avenue. Turn right at the top on High Road and follow until the end and the parking area with the view.
Buddha Cave
The Bisbee Buddha Cave is one of the hidden gems of Old Bisbee, located on the hillside to the east of the downtown area. There is a nice, flat area in front of the cave, with a bench and an amazing view of Old Bisbee.
How to Get There (Walking): Ascend the staircase located at 75 O.K. Street. Follow the signs for the Buddha Cave as the stairs turns into a trail before you arrive.
Bisbee Shrine
The Bisbee Shrine is located on top of Youngblood Hill overlooking Old Bisbee. It’s a short but steep hike to get to this location but the view, and the shrine, are worth the effort.
How to Get There (Walking): The trailhead is located at the north end of O.K. Street. Follow the steep, twisting and turning trail upwards to the shrine. There are no signs or markers of any kind, but the trail is fairly well trodden and easy to follow.
City Trail
The Bisbee City Trail is an unofficial hiking trail that winds its way along the side of the mountains overlooking the city below. The trail presents one amazing view after another of Old Bisbee and the Lavender Pit.
How to Get There (Walking): To access the City Trail from downtown Old Bisbee, walk up Brewery Gulch as it turns into Zacatecas Canyon. The trailhead is past Mimosa Market, on the other side of the road (to the left). It is unmarked and immediately to the right of one of Bisbee’s historic “Miners Shacks“. When you see the old bed frames that have been turned into a fence you’ll know you’re on the right path. You can follow the City Trail all the way to its western terminus on Moon Canyon, which is about a mile.
Old Divide Road
The Old Divide Road is located just to the west of downtown Old Bisbee. It was once part of Historic Highway 80 before the new (1950’s) bypass was constructed. There are a couple of turnouts on this stretch of road that have dramatic views of Old Bisbee and the Mule Mountains. If you are leaving Old Bisbee and heading west (to Tombstone) you could easily take this way out of town and stop at one of these overlooks to “say goodbye” to Bisbee.
How to Get There (Driving): Leave Old Bisbee by heading west on Main Street and follow it as it passes under Historic Highway 80 and turns into West Boulevard. Follow the road as it twists and turns heading uphill on the “Old Divide Road”. Look for the turnouts on the right side of the road. Continue following this road past Mule Pass where it will connect to Highway 80.
Juniper Flats
Juniper Flats is a special place, located just outside of Old Bisbee. The views of Old Bisbee, the Mule Mountains and Mexico further to the south are unparalleled.
How to Get There (Driving and Walking): Leave Old Bisbee by heading west on Main Street and follow it as it passes under Historic Highway 80 and turns into West Boulevard. Follow the road as it twists and turns uphill to Mule Pass. Park at the parking lot at the top of the hill and walk up the steep gravel road across the street to the north. The dirt road goes for several miles and eventually reaches a large flat area with amazing views of the surrounding area. While it is possible to drive up to Juniper Flats, the road is steep, dirt and often quite rugged depending on the season. Use this as an opportunity to stretch your legs and get some exercise!