Swansea Ghost Town

Very quiet here, stayed at the spot right in the mining camp, beautiful sunset. The last 3 miles was a pretty serious 4wd road. We were fine in our AWD Sprinter but it was slow, about 1/2 hour to go the last 3 miles and had to jockey with another truck on a narrow portion. I would not recommend anything big or trailers unless built for rough/steep roads.

Five defined camp sites with a 3-day limit (not 14 days)
Very well maintained history site with surrounding 4x4 adventure roads.
Tents, Truck Campers, Smaller length trailers (no big rigs).

Swansea Mine Road is ~18 miles dirt with several wash crossings of loose gravel. Last 3-miles over mountain ridge is very rough. To keep 15-foot trailer shaking under-control used 4x4 low range to allow a slow speed climb over mountain on trip out, took 35 minutes to cover 3 miles.

No Consumer Cellular or On-Star service.
Sites are not number, they are named. Three have covered picnic table areas. All are well spaced (distant from each other). Within Swansea management area camping ONLY allowed at the five defined camp sites.

My family and friends have camped there on and off for 30 years. we go early spring. Rain is possible. Over the years they have made big improvements with Fire Pits Covered eating area and Picnic tables. The toilet are clean and they get little use so they don't stink.

There was an old snow bird who carved a 18 hole golf course out of the desert. Some of the Tee boxes are still there see if you can find them. Good for riding ATV and Side by Sides. Great memory's were made here.

Believe it or not my Father was the last Swansea Mine operator in the early 50's. My Sister was the youngest at 4 years old. My parents and another brother lived their with no water or electricity. Back then the buildings etc were pretty much intact. Sadly since the mid sixties it has been seriously vandalized. Used to bathe in the Bill Williams River. Since 1991 I have camped and reexplored the area. The Copper was sent to Los Angeles by rail then by ship to Swansea, UK where the copper was made into wire for the first and second Atlantic Telegraph from England to America. This area was my playground as a youth. Many fond memories.