King Mine

To reach this historic mining site, drive three miles north on Nipple Ranch Road. Look for a three-way intersection on the right side of the road. From this intersection drive another half mile on Nipple Ranch Road and turn at the first side road on the right. If you miss this road, you will pass some mining structures adjacent to Nipple Ranch Road. Drive up the side road less than a mile to the old mining site.

Remains of the mine, tailings piles, and an old dam that was used to catch water can be seen at the mining site. Miners began looking for magnesium at this site in the early 1940s, and at one point more than twenty people worked at the mine. However, it proved difficult to separate the magnesium ores from the clays of the Chinle Formation, and the mine was completely abandoned by the late 1950s. Magnesium ore is heavy, dark-green material, and some nice specimens can be found (however, collecting is illegal). Additional mining structures can be seen along Nipple Ranch Road. The miners even tried to dam Park Wash adjacent to Nipple Ranch Road to secure water for the mining operation.