The Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum, is set on a 15-acre parcel in the shadow of the beautiful Superstition Mountains. The museum, itself, showcases the Apache origins of the land while the outbuildings include what remains of the Apacheland Movie Ranch (it largely suffered in a fire in 2004), a working 20-stamp gold mill, the chapel Elvis filmed "Charro!" in, the Apacheland barn, a historical model railroad, Western storefronts, a gift shop/bookstore, and a labeled nature trail. Things of note The Apacheland Barn houses a number of horse-drawn buggies and carts used in 17 television series, 29 full-length feature films, and hundreds of commercials filmed on the site. The buildings scattered around the land include a few Old West scenes and full-size dioramas, complete with plenty of mannequins depicting the scenes. The "crown jewel" is the "Elvis Chapel" - a mini-museum and wedding chapel dedicated to "the King" and his unique western movie, "Charro!" also filmed on site. It is a GREAT way to spend a couple of hours! read more

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To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect, but my son and I are on spring break and I have to keep this 4 year old busy! I learned several things here... 1) it's a bit of a hike, which I wasn't prepared for 2) Always carry water in your purse (I didn't) 3) carry tweezers and bandaids (splinters happened) 4) these volunteers were the most knowledgeable and friendliest people I have ever met 5) Elvis Presley spent time in AJ. I think it is definitely worth the trip out and it was interesting enough, until my son strayed from the path and a cholla stung him. I took several photos. It was a gorgeous day in March. read more

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My wife and I are getting married in March. Our photographer asked us to choose a location for our engagement photos, so we did some research and found Superstition Mountain and the White Chapel. It perfectly matched our vision for how we wanted our photos to turn out. The location was beautiful, so we sent it to our photographer and prepared for the shoot. Unfortunately, we failed to research one important detail: the closing time. We arrived around 3:45 PM and headed to the top of the mountain to begin taking photos. Around 4:50 PM, three men who work for the facility arrived at the top in a golf cart and informed us that the property closed at 4:00 PM. We immediately began packing up to leave. They were kind enough to allow us to finish our last photos before heading down, which we appreciated. As we were heading down the mountain, another golf cart came up quickly and blocked our path. The driver was Charlie, and the passenger was Ileen Snoddy, the Executive Director of SMM. Ms. Snoddy immediately exited the golf cart and got into my photographer's face, screaming and visibly upset. She stated that he had left his child in his Tesla due to the weather and that he was monitoring him through his phone. She threatened to call the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and said she should still call so we could "get in trouble." Charlie apologized for her behavior and told us to walk safely and have a good day, but unfortunately, the situation escalated. Ms. Snoddy rushed down the mountain alongside us, getting directly in our faces, nearly tripping on the rocks, and yelling continuously. Her behavior was completely unacceptable. She was furious that we had stayed approximately an hour past closing time. I apologized multiple times and explained that it was an honest mistake. Despite this, she screamed in my wife's face, stating that the closing time was clearly posted on the front sign. She then said we should have to pay for the extra hour of staff time. I asked if that policy was posted as well. She said it should be, and I continued to apologize in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. The five-minute walk down the mountain felt like an hour-long interrogation. My wife was becoming increasingly upset. I tried to remain calm and even told Ms. Snoddy that the property was beautiful and that we had enjoyed our time there up until that point. She responded that she didn't care and told us never to come back. I told her that her behavior was embarrassing Charlie and the rest of the staff. She then looked to Charlie for reassurance and asked if that was true. I informed her that I would be leaving a review. She responded, and I quote, "PLEASE GO AHEAD. I WILL RESPOND RIGHT BACK. GET THE F*** OFF MY PROPERTY." At that point, my wife--who had remained silent the entire walk down--became overwhelmed and responded, "Can you leave us the f*** alone? We are leaving." Charlie had his phone up, possibly recording, and said, "So now we are cussing." I responded that we are all adults and that we were being harassed, especially since Ms. Snoddy had just used profanity toward us. She then called me a liar. I have never felt so disgusted and disrespected by someone's behavior, especially someone in her position. She was very proud to state her title and first name, but when I asked for her last name, she said it was none of my business. To whoever oversees Ileen Snoddy at Superstition Mountain: I would appreciate a response. Her rage did not come from nowhere, and I highly doubt this was the first time she has acted this way. We paid a significant amount of money for our engagement photos and chose this location because of its beauty and the positive things we had heard. My soon-to-be wife left in tears, her makeup ruined, and we were unable to get the photos we wanted in front of the White Chapel. I felt physically sick from the stress and anxiety caused by being chased down and yelled at for several minutes after we had already apologized and were leaving. When we reached the exit, the same three staff members were there and were extremely polite, wishing us a great day. I apologized again for keeping them late and mentioned that Ms. Snoddy had suggested we compensate them. One of the men laughed and said it was absolutely not a problem. We drove an hour to visit this property and had planned to return for future events. After this experience, we feel completely unwelcome and unsafe returning. Responding To Kat P. Property manager, I completely understand but to act as if we weren't there prior to closing and we had no knowledge of the closing being 4pm which I stated and apologized to all the workers because I do respect peoples time gives Ileen Stoddy the right to harass and disrespect us causing harm while walking down a mountain ? I would like to be reached out by Ileen Stoddy boss and have you guys figure this out it was beyond unprofessional. read more

This is a great museum if you are interested in how that was founded. It's very small but it's next to Apache Land ( which is part of the museum) and Gold Field. If you tie all three together it makes a nice day. You could get free tickets at your local library. read more

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Incredible photo opportunities. Small area but gorgeous architecture and landscaping. Worth the stop if you're near. read more

Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum - Museums Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

My husband and I took our three month old daughter here and it was great! A sweet man named Owen Ose told us fun stories and let our daughter hold a little clothing iron that he had inherited from his aunt. We visited in April, so there weren't many people here. The vibes were calm and peaceful. Museum tickets were reasonably priced. We're new to the area so it was a great experience to learn the history of our new home. read more

Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum - The Elvis Chapel - Museums Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

I am a stickler for random things and history is my love language. While the museum itself is quite small the lot itself has some great items. I came specifically to see the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel that was donated years ago and moved from its original location at the movie lot it was at. My mom was the biggest Elvis fan and this chapel was part of his only film ever made where he did not sing. If you're an Elvis fan you know that's a big deal. They now hold weddings and other events here. It looks great outside. Inside it holds some movie memorabilia etc. fun stop and my mom would've loved it. read more

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The museum itself is inside the visitor center and is quite small. A lot of artifacts and history but may not be interesting or engaging for smaller kiddos. The gift shop and volunteers are definitely worth the trek inside though! Outside is where all the action is!! There's a wonderful walking trail around the museum with smaller ones winding through all the displays. There's also signage and explanations for many of the displays on the trails. We were confused by the little numbers throughout the walk, apparently somebody was going to do a plant walk but it never got completed! Hopefully the model train is running when you visit because that is a great journey through the old west. There's a scavenger hunt for the kiddos (and adults) that really makes you look close! read more

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This is a must see if you are exploring Apache junction area and the superstition mountain area. Wonderful free 15 acre self guided tour with a great film inside the chaple. The museum is 7$ for adults and the gift shop is a treasure trove. The people who work there clearly love their jobs ans love sharing stories read more

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I would have had no clue about this place if it wasn't for the Culture Passes that may be checked out from the Arizona public libraries. Culture Pass allows for two free tickets. The museum offers special prices for students (ages 11-17), seniors, and veterans. Children 10 and under are free with paid adult. The museum also works with schools to create programs for field trips. The museum is located inside. One of the docents informed me that the museum had been completed renovated a couple of years ago. The museum is about more than just the Lost Dutchman's goldmine. The museum covers the Indigenous people, invasion of the conquistadors, animals, gold mining, European settlers, ranches and rodeos. While small, I left feeling like I had learned a lot about the area, and the area's rich history. The gift shop has so much to look at. Inventory is a mix of touristy items and handmade pieces. A something for everyone on your souvenir list kind of store. They had some lovely pieces of horsehair pottery. The plethora of merchandise is displayed well. I think we spent as much time looking in the giftshop as we did looking in the indoor museum. Outside, an old west mining town has been recreated. It is a little hokey, but my youngest enjoyed it. In the stables is more information about people who settled in the area, as well as western movies. Walking around the outside area is completely free. There is a path to take a short and easy hike. The replicas of Native American structures used around the time of the Lost Dutchman were created by a local tribe. Unlike the structure inside the museum, the outside ones visitors may enter. Beautiful views of the Superstition Mountains may be seen while meandering about. On Saturdays, demonstration of how rocks were crushed so the pieces may be used when panning for gold are performed. The machine is huge, it is close to two stories tall. A local model train club has a town set up outside with trains. Check their website for special events. The museum works with the community to create events that will bring people in on a regular basis. read more

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Superstition Mountain and Lost Dutchman museum is very targeted to those who would like to learn more about these topics. The exhibits are very well done, but I feel that you have to be a history buff to get the most out of the museum itself. If you are only looking for a pleasant diversion for a few hours or a few minutes, there are a number of free displays that the average person can enjoy. Among these are: The 4000 foot scale railroads, the "Elvis" chapel, the stamp mill, Apacheland barn, outdoor exhibits and of course the gift shops. The museum has a busy calendar of special events throughout the year that you may want to browse on their website. read more

The stop had a Church with a Lifesize Elvis to take a picture with. The Apacheland Barn had a lot of movie memorabilia like headshots of the actor/actresses and some of the same people had cement foot/hand prints. Linda Evan's donated her outfit to the Museum. Picture opportunities such as in Stagecoach next to Elvis or a picture next to our president Ronald Reagan when he was just an actor. The museum shop had quite a lot of unique gifts and memorabilia. Purses copper jewelry, books cactus shaped twizzers. I am still missing things to write or experienced that I saw and bought read more

Definitely stop here either on your way to or on your way back from visiting tortilla flats along scenic rt 88. There are so many cool things to see and learn here. There are also short picturesque hiking trails. I wish I had kids with me to share the experience with read more

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Don't miss out on exploring the intriguing museum which beautifully showcases the local history. Make sure to take a stroll through the Apache Land studios where you'll find yourself walking on the very same floor where Elvis once stood! read more

Awesome way to beat the heat! We came here on a Sunday afternoon, and the two women working were so friendly. If you purchase on Groupon, you get discounted admission and one free sarsaparilla per person! It was really cool to learn about the history of the area and to see all of the maps prospectors have used to look for the Lost Dutchman's gold! We spent about an hour in the actual museum part. They have a great gift shop as well (also in the AC!!!). We did also venture to the Elvis chapel to see that - it's pretty cool, but smells like old stale cigarettes. There's also a ton to see outside. We didn't spend much time out there because of how hot it was when we were there. We'd love to come back to the complex when they're using the old mining equipment outside! read more

Superstition Mountain Lost Dutchman Museum - Museums Near Me - Apache Junction, Arizona

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The Legend of the infamous Lost Dutchman Before continuing up the road to Goldfield Ghost Town, we stopped here. This wasn't part of our schedule but it was worth a stop. We had an hour before the museum closed so we just did a self tour of the outdoor attractions. Wish we had more time because the museum site is 12.5 acres big! The grounds of the museum are well kept and the breathtaking backdrop view of Superstition Mountain is amazing. Onsite are reproductions of 19th Century businesses including a Wells Fargo office, stage coach stop, barber shop, assay office and other displays of authentic relics of the 1800's. If you are a fan of old westerns you will love visiting the Apacheland movie ranch and the Apacheland barn where many of the old westerns were filmed. Also inside the large barn are buggies that Doc used in Gunsmoke. Autographs and pictures of favorite Western movie stars are displayed here. Look for the Gallows that was used in many movies at Apacheland Movie Ranch between 1960-2004 I personally have not seen any Elvis Presley movies but the Elvis Memorial Chapel is a must see. It was used in the movie "Charro" and clips from the movie are displayed on the wall. The public is welcome to reserve the Chapel or grounds for your Wedding or Special Event! If by chance we ever do come back we'd love to visit inside the museum and learn the history of the area. General admission is $5. Bargain! Only the actual museum cost to enter. I would've loved to have taken my dad here as he loved the old western movies. Review #1655 read more

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Interesting quick run though spot. Only charged us 1/2 since we got there and went in at 3:30 and they close at 4pm. Which...is a strange time to close. Anyway...the museum is actually more interesting than I expected, about the history of the area, including both indigenous populations and settlers, legends about hidden gold and treasure, and historic artifacts. I actually wish we had had a little bit more time to go through it! I would have liked to explore more of the grounds, but that felt weird with everything closing for the night... If you are in the area, it is certainly worth a stop. Just give yourself enough time to really enjoy and experience it. read more

Very, very Arizona. Very, very Southwest. Very, very Wild, Wild West! You must visit this expansive, mostly outdoor period piece, original historic relics from the day, too much to list. Learn firsthand and by visual real artifacts of the time about Arizona mining, well drilling machinery, a museum and museum store, exhibits, miniature train for Kiddies, and much, much more. The concept for this location initiated with the organization of the Superstition Mountain Historical Society in the 1980s. At the time many in the local community donated much of what can be seen when visiting, especially the incredible mining equipment donated by the historic Phelps Dodge Mining Company. This place is the real deal. If you are interested, fascinated and curious of all things of how the west was, here is how it is today - a snapshot in time. For western movie buffs, remnants of Apacheland where cowboy movies were once filmed lay here to be admired. There is simply too much to see, and visiting is the only way to appreciate it. We visit occasionally and bring friends and family who visit us from out of town, and everyone, everyone is amazed to step back in time. Thanks to the hard-working volunteers and visitors who donate, that help keep this priceless antique alive to educate the future about our past. Kudos. read more

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Make sure to visit this place whether you're heading to or returning from Tortilla Flats via the beautiful route 88. There's a wealth of intriguing sights and educational experiences to be had. Additionally, you can explore the short yet visually stunning hiking trails. I regret that I didn't have children with me to enjoy and learn from this enriching experience. read more

Very educational. The kids enjoyed the Apache Festival today. Educational and fun. Good food and fun environment. It wasn't too crowded and the workers were patient with answering my kids but questions. read more

Superstition Mountain Museum was my favorite place to visit during my vacation. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and costs $7.00 per adult. The $7.00 charge is only if you want to walk through the indoor museum. Walking around the exhibits outside is free. There are over 12 acres to explore. The indoor museum is loaded with information and artifacts. It took me about an hour and a half to complete it. You enter and exit the museum through the gift shop. Outside they have the old church, jail house , barbershop and tons more. Before Covid they held many different events and hopefully soon it will start up again. You can look online for there event calendar. read more

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What an attraction. You must visit RR to see amazing model display of history. Great way to explore and learn about History! Bring your camera!! read more

Great spot! The atmosphere is so southwest and the vibe is very relaxed. I can spend an hour or all day here. One of my favorite spots! Staff is very friendly and informative. Lots of great events throughout the year. Definitely recommend whether you're from AZ or not. read more

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Very interesting with photos of actors who appeared in movies and Tv shows filmed at the Apacheland studios. Beautiful views from around tge property with nice walking trails for when it's not as hot out. read more

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When we first drove by we thought that this was just a small little museum but when we came back we were surprised to learn that in addition to the museum there were 15 acres more to explored! There is a mine shaft and a stamping mill with information about how everything worked. There is an incredibly detailed model of the territory that was built and maintained by volunteers that is extremely detailed, with volunteers on hand to answer questions and provide all kinds of information. The Apacheland Movie Ranch was my dad's favorite part with all kinds of information about movies and actors who were filmed there over the years. read more

Had a fun experience hiking around the mountain out here. Saw some Apache helicopters dying around too. Very cool.

We stopped in a bit late in the day and enjoyed walking around & picked up a few souvenirs. There were so many crystals everywhere outside! I also had fun photographic the saguaro cacti. We did not actually do the museum- they were closing in 15 minutes and we didn't want to rush through. Be sure to walk around outside- it is simply lovely with the scenic mountain right behind their shop! What we did get was magnets, earrings and a map. read more

There is a list somewhere online that has a lineup of all the cool and interesting places to take out-of-town guests in AZ. Places like Desert Botanical Garden, Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Papago Park are among the few local spots that top that list. Why on earth is Superstition Mountain Museum not even making the cut? Back in my Photography days, I visited this place often. Families I photographed LOVED the views here, and it's a nice quiet place without a ton of visitors. Recently, I took my east coast in-laws here and they absolutely loved it. The great thing about this area is that the trails and area around the actual museum are completely free. The museum itself (located inside the gift shop) is the only area that has fees. But honestly if you don't want to pay to get into the museum, you will enjoy your time in the area surrounding it. The Superstition Mountains on a clear day are absolutely breathtaking. And that's coming from a native Phoenician. Trust me when so say that your out of town guests will enjoy this place. Plus it's great for kids too. With the area set up like a small town, your kids will have a great time exploring. I will definitely be returning again and I hope people who just want to skip town for a few hours will come visit as well. read more

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This place is a must place to take guests who visit in the Phoenix area. Many of the buildings here were used in movies. Posters on the wall advertise the movies filmed in this location. Burros are there for riding. An Elvis Presley chapel is onsite. There's also railroads to check out and a museum explaining history of the area. Even a blacksmith is there explaining the different techniques used back "then". Take a picture in the stagecoach, pose at the gallows or just walk the grounds. It's a beautiful area. What fun it is. read more

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Beautiful area and fun for all ages! Great to Know the details behind it all too! We have been almost every time we visit Arizona. Kids love it and so do the adults. It's great for pictures and anyone out of town wanting something fun and free to do. read more

For some calmer thrills in the area around Lost Dutchman State Park, I like to spend a few hours perusing the Atlas Obscura featured grounds of the Superstition Mountain Museum and remnants of Apacheland Movie Ranch, where they filmed many of your favorite old west films. You can pay $5 to view the stones holding the clues to the Lost Dutchman Mine, some serious Sonoran Desert taxidermy and memorabilia from famous Westerns, or wander around the Elvis Chapel and Apacheland Barn, which were featured in movies like Kenny Rogers' The Gambler, and Elvis Presley's Charro! among others, for free. The grounds are also host to a blacksmith, a labyrinth and a massive, 21′ stamp mill, that provides regular free demonstrations. The gift shop here is also great for all your Arizona souvenirs - cookbooks, dream catchers, Native American jewelry and other stuff. I like to get a Sarsparilla here and wander around because its usually a warm, sunny day. You can wander in circles in the calming "labyrinth"outside and then make your way over authentic old barn to see the boot stones of all kinds of famous people. One day there was even a magical in the barn! I usually pair my Arizona tour for friends with another stop out at Goldfield, after learning about the history of the Lost Dutchman Gold here, at the Superstition Mountain Museum, which is home to the Peralta stones, which supposedly hold the secret to the Lost Dutchman Gold trail. Staff here are super friendly and can answer all your questions about the gold (except where it is ;) ) and the Superstition Mountains. It's also a great place to learn about the area as you prepare to hike the Lost Dutchman State Park trails. read more

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We walked through the museum first. I started out thinking it was a little "rinky-dink" but it did have some interesting info about the Legend of the Lost Dutchman, art by DeGrazia, and some other things worth perusing briefly. I liked when they had recordings to listen to, but not all of them worked. This section would earn maybe three stars from me, maybe less. (Young kids probably wouldn't be interested.) However, once outside, I felt like things got more intriguing. They have a huge, working stamp mill that they hauled over from New Mexico. (Apparently, they do demonstrations about one a month.) It's pretty cool. They also have a working model train area that kids might like. I enjoyed learning about Apacheland- where they filmed a lot of old western t.v. shows and movies. My parents watched all that stuff, so I was vaguely acquainted with some of the shows. Of course, they had many old western building replicas, like a blacksmith, saloon, etc. The volunteers are happy to share stories with you. There is also the Elvis Chapel, named as such because Elvis filmed a movie here. This second section of the property redeemed the place for me, earning four stars. If you have older people in your group, they will probably enjoy it here. Out-of-towners would appreciate the desert beauty, Old West ambiance, and legend of the Lost Dutchman. You'd have to know what your kids like, but I think mine would have been bored. Although, there was Prospector Willy (a stuffed dummy) sitting with his mouth open in the barber's chair, and you were encouraged to try to toss spare change into his mouth. My kids would have been into that! (A clever way for them to make money too!) For the cheap entry fee, I think it's worth checking out. read more

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My husband and I stopped here on a Sunday, Valentine's Day. They weren't too busy. The indoor museum had some interesting things, but nothing that I'd go back to show friends or family. It's just not really worth it to me at $7 per person. The church was cool to see the inside and read about it. They have a gift shop too. read more

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Great stop to see and learn about the history of the Superstition Mountains area. They have an operating 5 stamp mill (actually a section of a much larger 20 stamp mill) that was moved here, and was used to crush gold bearing ore to a sandy or almost powdery form for subsequent gold extraction. There is also an outdoor large scale model railroad that kids will enjoy, buildings that were once part of a set used for filming western movies, and a recreated Native American village. One of the movie set buildings is a chapel that was used in several films, including one that Elvis starred in. All these outside exhibits are FREE to roam around. The main museum building has a gift shop and a collection of indoor exhibits that cover the history of the area from the Native American inhabitants to the gold mining to current day. You will see lots of information on the legendary Lost Dutchman Mine. There is a small fee for the indoor exhibits, but it is well worth the cost and it goes to a great cause ..... preserving the history of the area for future generations to see. read more

We love this place. My kids and I have been many times. It would be nice if the mannequins were maintained and repaired.

Great place to bring family and friends. Grounds are well maintained and the view of the Superstition Mountains are incredible. Museum has artifacts from the area and on Saturdays they have a stamping mill demonstration (check museum for times). Worth the time. read more

Their posted hours said that they were open. We drove here only to find the gate closed and completely different hours posted. From what we could see from the gate, it looked like a nice area to check out and take lots of fun pictures. I would have liked it if they had posted correct hours! read more

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I loved this museum!!! Stacy, gave us great info on the taxidermy animals and she was so full of life and knowledge. Her passion was palpable! The volunteers at the museum were helpful, went to the barn and met the metalworker John who was sweet and full of great stories of the mine etc. I bought a handmade horse shoe necklace and LOVE IT! Support your local artists!! Sheriff Morgan looked amazing in his outfit and had the kindest eyes. I really liked him. And I can't forget the magician! He's great and such a fantastic sense of humor! All these guys and gals really made my birthday weekend a great experience and provided me with some amazing unforgettable memories that I will remember for the rest of my life. read more

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Love love love this place, first tax free shipping as they are a non for profit, lovely trails outside and photo op spots, even old film set props like the Elvis Chapel! They are dog friendly everywhere except the actual museum. They do demos and special events and have a large remote train area. read more

The museum is about an hour from I 17 but well worth the travel time. When I arrived I noticed it's a dirt/rock parking lot. At first I was worried that it might be too soft to support the kickstand on my motorcycle but it turned out to not be an issue. I'm sure the ladies inside would have allowed me to park on the concrete porch if I would have been too soft as they were more than happy to hold my gear behind the counter while I went into the museum. Inside I was welcomed you Shirley, Kathleen, Fran, and Marcia inside the gift shop. I arrived late and close to the end of the day but they were not at all bothered and told me to enjoy the museum. When I went to pay I found out that military, veterans, and their family get to go in for free. I can say that it was definitely the best museum I have seen in a long time. They have a mineral display that looks as if it was taken from the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium on the U of A campus. In addition they also have several exhibits that have information and history from Arizona. The exhibits range from various old items, stuffed animals, mock bank and printer shop scenes (complete with fully dressed mannequins), to mini figures. While most museums would have you walk around and read card after card this museum goes above and beyond by having several displays that have play back recordings and even a short film at one display. I was limited on time but wish I would have had more. I'd say you need to plan a good hour or two at the site. The gift shop is also full of items perfect for each member of the family. There are books from history to cook books, toys, rocks (that kids can buy and fill their bag with) to jewelry. I plan to come back the next time I take a trip up this way. I recommend adding this to your list of stops on your next family vacation in the area! read more

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