Tucked away in the backcountry wilderness of the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park is a hidden gem called Cary's Castle. In 1935, at the tender age of twenty-four, a young man named Arthur L. Cary (sometimes misspelled “Carey”) moved from Colorado to the Coachella Valley. In their spare time, Cary and his father prospected in the Eagle Mountains, staking multiple claims. Cary spent much of his time out there from 1938 to 1941, enjoying the solitude of the area, during which time he developed his Welcome Stranger Mine. He probably built the Castle as a primitive residence next to the mine.
Cary's Castle
Even if you have seen photos of the Castle, it is still a pleasant surprise to finally find it. An unassuming wooden door and window, set in a well-built mortared rock wall, are tucked away under a massive granite boulder. Inside, a bed frame, table, and a few simple furnishings remain. Interestingly, Cary wasn't the first person to make a home under this boulder. Native Americans once thought the shelter was an excellent place to live and escape the harsh desert sun. A handful of red, black, and white pictographs adorn the ceiling as a reminder of their presence. (Please don't touch them.)
Outside the Castle, a few water barrels are scattered about. Cary's mine is a few hundred feet west of the Castle on an old road. It is marked incorrectly on topo maps as "Carey's Castle." Look for it directly across from the Castle. The shaft is gated.
Other fascinating remnants of this remote prospector's camp lurk among the boulders. Spend some time looking around, and you might find some surprises. Please leave everything as you find it.
Cary's Castle in 1945. Photos courtesy of the NPS.
