Arrastra Interpretive Site

The Arrastra Interpretive Site,  on the Silver City Ranger District, is located adjacent to NM Hwy 15. The arrastra was a primitive crusher/mill used in old time mining operations. It was horse/mule powered and used the action of grindstones to process the rock extracted from gold mining. This interpretive site hosts a reconstructed arrastra used by early day gold miners in the 1800's. Arrastras were crude but effective methods of milling or grinding quartz and other gold-bearing ores which was mined. The interpretive panels identify the location of the gold mine and explain the process used to separate the ore from the rock.

There is parking and a short path to the arrastra. There are stone benches at the site.  Parking area also provides access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail #74) on the Gila National Forest.  It is a day-use only site - no overnight stays permitted.