
Mine Exploration: After a scenic ride along the Gastineau Channel, you'll venture into a 360-foot-long tunnel, donning hard hats and walking along a wooden boardwalk. An experienced miner will demonstrate hard rock mining techniques and share facts about the fascinating mining lifestyle. Back at the Gastineau Mill, your guide will highlight its unique features and showcase the working John Peterson 3 Stamp Mill.
Gold Panning: Learn the proper techniques from your expert guide and try your luck at panning for gold and garnets. You're guaranteed to find pay dirt, and whatever treasures you uncover, you get to keep! Explore displays, including the first steam engine brought to Alaska, and indulge in complimentary hot beverages. Don't forget to visit the General Store for a unique souvenir to commemorate your experience.
What’s Included:
Accessibility: Tour is wheelchair and scooter accessible. Wheelchair users should book this tour to secure transportation space. Those traveling with wheelchair users should reserve the Underground Mine Exploration & Gold Panning tour. Manual wheelchairs are recommended for navigating raised thresholds and gravel. Guides are not allowed to push wheelchairs.
Requirements & Restrictions: Guests will be given earplugs to enter the mine due to the loud equipment operated in the demonstration. Children of all ages are accepted; however, families traveling with young children may participate on this shore excursion at their discretion.
What to Bring: A warm jacket, camera, credit/debit card or cash for additional purchases.
Good to Know: Tour may operate in reverse order. The tunnel is 42°F all year round. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; however, there is a high chance of seeing bears, deer, eagles, ravens, and squirrels.