Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure

Overview

While you’re in port in Juneau, venture to Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin for a true Alaskan gold adventure! Hear about the historic Alaskan Gold Rush and learn how to pan for gold – you’ll keep all the gold you find! Your guide, dressed in traditional 19th-century attire, will take you to a secluded location along Gold Creek, only accessible with a special permit, and show you what it was like during the Gold Rush for the thousands who flocked to the region. Choose to either pan in the creek or enter the waist-high water in the demonstration trough – either way, you’re guaranteed to find gold!

City: Juneau

Sat 31 Jan

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $99.00

Make a reservation

Sat 31 Jan

Starting at $99.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee

All necessary equipment

Transportation

Guide

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Children 13-17 must have a signed parental consent form to participate in the absence of a parent or guardian

What To Expect

Last Chance Mining Museum

Catch “gold fever” and experience what it was like to seek your fortune during Gold Rush days! Learn to pan for gold and keep all you find! Discover Juneau’s colorful mining heritage for yourself. Head out with your prospector/guide for a historical tour of Juneau, including the state capitol. Then, turn up the road to Gold Creek and “Last Chance Basin,” where Joe Juneau and Richard Harris struck gold in 1880. In a beautiful, secluded setting near a waterfall alongside Gold Creek — only accessible for groups under our tour’s special permit — your prospector shows you how gold panning is really done. Then, it’s your turn, as you expertly work the pan with helpful tips and advice in the creek, or in the waist-high demonstration trough. People of all ages and mobility limitations can learn how to pan and capture the full gold-rush experience. You’re guaranteed to find gold, and all that glitters is yours to keep! See the remnants of the original buildings of the Alaska-Juneau Mining Company all around you. At the height of production, it was the largest operation of its type in the world. You’ll learn about the mining techniques used, and the quest for gold that is such a major part of Alaska’s history. Take home a souvenir Orelove Brothers Gold Claim Certificate, all the gold you find, and an appreciation of what it was like to seek your fortune in the wilds of Alaska more than a century ago.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (40)

eleshiaq2023

Jul 2023

Our favorite parts: Tour guide Garrett did an excellent job of explaining the history of the Alaskan Gold Rush. He also did an excellent job of showing us how to pan for gold. Scenery was beautiful!!!

RCKCHKU

Jul 2023

If you’re looking for a good but short experience, this is a good one. Most of the two hours or so were consumed with taking a small bus up the hill and back. But that’s OK. Really didn’t know what to expect with the gold panning. Our driver and guide Garrett did a great job of everything. He spends time with every guest showing them how to do it after he gives his overall demonstration. I got a few flakes of gold and my six year old granddaughter did too. I would say your chances of getting something are probably pretty good. Take some bug spray. It was a sunny day and the flies were out in mass. Other than that, I would highly recommend this tour.

Sarah S

Jul 2023

Our guide Garrett was warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. Cute jokes to keep the crowd engaged. The location for the panning is beautiful. This is a great quick excursion.