Borax Twenty Mule Team® of Death Valley Replica Wagons
The DVC, to preserve the past and encourage interest in the early mining history of Death Valley, commissioned replicas of the Twenty Mule Team wagons that once transported borax 165 miles across Death Valley to the nearest railhead at Mojave, CA.
These replica wagons, pulled by a matched string of 20 mules owned and trained by Bobby Tanner of Bishop, CA, have made appearances at some of the biggest parades in the nation, and rekindled an appreciation for borax heritage in and around Death Valley. When not at parades, the wagons are on public display at the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site near Bishop, CA.
Compare the original borax wagons at Harmony Borax Works in Death Valley National Park to the replicas commissioned by the Death Valley Conservancy.
VISITING THE WAGONS
When not at parades, you can visit the replica wagons at the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site! This exhibit was made possible by the Death Valley Conservancy, the American Mule Museum, Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site, and many generous donors.
The museum is open year round, but closes to observe Christmas and Thanksgiving. Admission is by donation.
Wagon News
Articles from the DVC Blog about the Borax Twenty Mule Team Wagons.
Borax Wagon Videos
How To Drive a Twenty Mule Team with Bobby Tanner Muleskinner
At Bishop Mule Days 2022, Twenty Mule Team driver and muleskinner Bobby Tanner shared some of his incredible knowledge about history and how to re-create it with his mule team. Bobby Tanner passed away in 2024 and is deeply missed. Produced by Gold Creek Films.
Maiden Voyage of the Replica Borax Wagons
See the maiden voyage of the replica borax wagons featuring muleskinner Bobby Tanner and wainwright Dave Engel.
Building the Replica Borax Wagons
Wainwright Dave Engel has shared a comprehensive playlist of replica borax wagon construction videos.
Keep Them Rolling
Your donation to the Death Valley Conservancy’s Borax Heritage Fund will help maintain, and interpret the full-scale, working reproductions of the famous Borax Twenty Mule Team® of Death Valley Wagons.
The Only Surviving Original Twenty Mule Team Wagon Set
THE CONSERVANCY AT WORK
Thank you generous donors for making these exciting projects possible.