Pros & cons
PROS
- Fascinating Cold War–era uranium mining history
- Easy pass-by stop along the Rim Trail between popular viewpoints
CONS
- Closed and fenced due to contamination; no access
- No amenities or real viewpoint—more a curiosity than a destination
Overview
Lost Orphan Mine is a fenced, closed historic uranium mine perched on and below the South Rim between Maricopa Point and Powell Memorial along Hermit Road. You’ll encounter it as a brief curiosity while walking or biking the Rim Trail; the route detours around the site for safety.
What You’ll See Today
Expect a signed closure fence and disturbed ground marking where the mine infrastructure once stood. The area itself is off-limits due to legacy contamination and other hazards, and there are no tours or facilities. Take a quick look from the trail, then continue to nearby viewpoints for the scenery you came for.
Why It’s Notable
This is one of the best-known uranium operations in Grand Canyon history, a stark reminder of the region’s mining era and the environmental legacy that followed. The mine tapped a uranium-bearing breccia pipe and became a touchstone for shifting attitudes about extraction inside national parks.
Brief History
- Claim patented: 1906.
- Uranium boom years: production largely wrapped up by 1969, with significant output coming from inside park boundaries.
- NPS acquisition: 1987; the Park Service later removed the major structures. The fence was expanded in 2017 as management of low-level radiation and other hazards continues.
Access and Safety
- The mine area is closed—do not enter.
- The South Rim Trail detours around the site; stay on the designated path and heed all closure signs.
- There are no restrooms, parking, pullouts, or services here; treat it as a look-from-afar historic spot along a well-traveled corridor.
Pair It With
Use this as a quick historical footnote en route to Maricopa Point or Powell Memorial, where the canyon views deliver the real payoff.
Best Time to Visit
Daylight hours are best, since this is a brief stop to observe a closed site as you move between nearby viewpoints. For photography and grand vistas, time sunrise or sunset at Maricopa Point or Powell Memorial rather than here.
Where it is
36.0711, -112.1507Tips for Lost Orphan Mine
- 01Stay on the Rim Trail detour and obey all closure signs and fencing.
- 02Pair this quick stop with Maricopa Point or Powell Memorial for the views.
- 03Use the Hermit Road shuttle corridor to pass by—there’s no parking at the site.
- 04Bring binoculars if you want a closer look from behind the fence.
Near Lost Orphan Mine
All places →All trails →
0.1 mi awayPowell PointHistoric overlook with Powell monument and mellow sunset viewsExhibit · Scenic Viewpoint
0.3 mi awayMaricopa PointNarrow promontory with sweeping views and a dose of mining historyScenic Viewpoint · Exhibit
0.4 mi awayHopi PointThe South Rim’s go-to sunset perch with sweeping river viewsScenic Viewpoint
0.7 mi awayTrailview OverlookBird’s-eye look at Bright Angel Trail’s dramatic switchbacksScenic Viewpoint · Pullout
1.6 mi awayRim TrailEffortless South Rim stroll with nonstop Grand Canyon views.Easy · 13 mi · 6 hr
1.9 mi awayTrail of TimeWalk a billion years with big canyon views—paved, easy, fascinatingEasy · 2.8 mi · 1.5 hr
1.9 mi awayHermit Road Greenway TrailQuiet, paved rim stroll from Monument Creek Vista to Hermits Rest.Easy · 2 mi · 1 hr
3.5 mi awayHermit TrailSteep, historic descent to solitude and stonework on the South RimChallenging · 9 mi · 10 hr
