See Inside a Real Colorado Gold Mine

There are a number of mines in Colorado that offer tours. Many of them also have panning areas where you get to keep any gold that you find. Here is a list of the ones that I know about. There may be more out there, but I think this list will be plenty to get you started.

Mollie Kathleen Mine Tour
Cripple Creek, CO
719-689-2466
www.goldminetours.com
Open through October
Daily: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cripple Creek is the the home of Colorado’s greatest gold discovery. Gold from the “World’s Greatest Gold Camp” helped establish the US Mint in Denver. The golden dome on the state capitol building in Denver was created with Cripple Creek gold. Today you can visit a number of Casinos and other attractions there. Keep a look out for the burros who roam the streets and are said to be the descendants of the original burros used in the mines.

The Molly Kathleen Mine tour is the only vertical shaft tour in the USA. The two minute trip takes you 1000 feet down into the heart of the mountain where an experienced miner guides you through a maze of shafts and mine workings.

Argo Gold Mine and Tour
Idaho Springs, CO
303-567-2421
www.historicargotours.com
Open until Mid Oct.
Daily: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Much more than a mine tour here…

After touring the mine you’ll head down through the mill, which processed over $100 million in gold ore during its run. Inside the mill you’ll view displays of equipment, tools and relics used by the miners. You’ll also be given a live demonstration of crushing, milling and rock drilling. After the tour, there are free gold panning instructions. You’ll need to purchase the bags of placer ore to pan but you are guaranteed they will include gold or a gemstone.

Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour
Ouray, CO
970-325-0220
www.bachelorsyracusemine.com
Open until Mid Sept.
Daily: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Bachelor-Syracuse Mine tour takes you 1,800 horizontally into Gold Hill. Guides have first-hand experience working the mine and are eager to share the mine’s legend and lore. Guests will visit work areas and learn how explosives are used. After the mine tour, gold panning lessons are available at a discounted price.

Phoenix Gold Mine Tour
Idaho Springs, CO
303-567-0422
www.phoenixgoldmine.com
May – Oct.
Daily: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Phoenix vein was originally discovered in 1871 by a man with the prophetic last name of Miner. Historical mining tools, ladders, milling equipment, buckets, emergency equipment and much more is on display throughout the tour. You will be able to see deposits of gold, silver, copper, iron pyrite and tellurium (tellurium — the material they make solar panels out of) The Phoenix Tour mine is actually lit by sun light, using solar panels as its only energy source. After the tour you can try your hand at panning or you can experience panning on its own for a small fee.

Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour
Silverton, CO
970-387-5444
www.minetour.com
May – Oct.
Daily: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Follow a vein one-third mile into Galena Mountain and experience actual mining operating equipment in a real mine setting. You’ll see how drilling progressed from the 1900′s single-jacking, to 1930′s drifter air drills, to the 1960′s jack-leg drills. Other equipment shown includes a tugger hoist, air slusher and the amazing mucking machine, all demonstrated and explained by your miner-guide. After the tour or while you wait, your family can pan for silver, gold and semi-precious gemstones in the sluice boxes outside the mine. A mine tour can also be arranged in connection with a trip on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Mayflower Gold Mill Tour
Silverton, CO
970-387-5838
www.silvertonhistoricsociety.org
Open in summer
Daily: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado were one of the last ranges to be prospected. The Mayflower Mill is a National Historic Landmark and an excellent example of the methods used to process precious ores from the Silverton mining area.

Country Boy Mine

Breckenridge, CO
970-453-4405
www.countryboymine.com
Open until Mid Oct.
Daily: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., through Aug. 31
Fri. to Mon. through Oct. 15

At the only authentic mine tour in Summit County visitors can travel 1,000 feet underground on a hard-hat tour, climb on a steam shovel, slide down a 55 foot ore chute and pet gentle, friendly burros. After your mine tour, your guide will teach you how to pan for gold in Eureka Creek. Check your tour photos carefully. A ghostly image, perhaps a former miner, has been known to appear.

Edgar Mine Tour
Idaho Springs, CO
303-567-2911
www.mines.edu/academic/mining/edgar_mine.htm
Open until late Aug.
Mon. – Fri., 1:00 p.m. tour

In the 1870s the Edgar Mine produced high-grade silver, gold, lead and copper. Today, the mine provides Colorado School of Mines students with a unique environment for research and practical training in mining techniques and systems. Students and mine staff conduct tours more than one-half mile underground. Over 100 years of mine development, drilling, blasting, and mucking are covered on the tour along with discussion on mining practice, mining economics and the role of the mining industry in modern society. Tours can be tailored to accommodate special requests.

Matchless Mine Tour
Leadville, CO
719-486-1229
Memorial Day – Labor Day
Daily: 9:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., weather permitting

At one time a very rich body of silver ore in the mine netted $2,000 a day and vaulted Horace and Baby Doe Tabor to the height of Colorado society. It seemed that the riches from the Matchless Mine would last forever. However, the drop in silver prices along with poor investments and the repeal of the Sherman Silver Act of 1893 claimed Tabor’s $9 million fortune. Baby Doe held onto the Matchless for 36 years and was found frozen to death, penniless and alone. This surface tour includes the mine’s hoist house and the cabin where Baby Doe was found.

Take a road trip and see how the old timers mined for gold. If you happen to be heading through Salida during your travels, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll show you how we do it today.