Colorado Sightseer · Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St
A 5.5-hour small-group tour from Denver Union Station to the 1859 gold rush country: Central City, Black Hawk and about 1.5 hours at a real gold mine, with gold panning. Pick it for Colorado's mining story told on the spot, in half a day.
You meet your guide at Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, and head into the mountains on the trail of the 1859 Pikes Peak or Bust gold rush. First comes Gilpin County: about 40 minutes in Central City, once called "the richest square mile on earth", and Black Hawk, the old mining town that now runs on casinos. Then over into Clear Creek County for about 1.5 hours at a real gold mine, where you learn how mining worked then and now and try panning for gold. Anything you find is yours to keep, per the listing. A guest names it the Phoenix Mine. About 30 minutes of free time in a mining town follows before the drive back. The group is up to 13.
On the rails: no train today. The tour runs through the same Clear Creek mining country as the Georgetown Loop Railroad, which was built in 1884 to haul silver between Georgetown and Silver Plume. To ride it, book the private Georgetown Loop day. To pair your mine morning with a big train day, the Royal Gorge Route is the classic.
Included, per the listing: pickup and drop-off at Union Station, the guided tour of the mining towns, admission to the gold mine and the gold panning. Not included: meals and drinks, tips (optional) and personal spending. The listing says it does not suit people with back problems or claustrophobia, or wheelchair users. Bring water and a snack, since lunch is not part of the day.
Meet your guide at 1701 Wynkoop St. Check the times for your date on the booking page.
A scenic drive up a rugged canyon on the gold rush trail.
Historic buildings and stories in Gilpin County's old mining towns.
A guided visit in Clear Creek County, then gold panning.
A walk and a look in the shops before the drive home.
Mountain views on the way down to Denver.
★★★★★Hans was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable and gave us all some fantastic facts about the area. Felt very safe in his capable hands as a driver and guide. The mine tour was great, learned some fascinating facts that I never knew about the industry in Colorado [...] We stopped in Idaho Springs and Central City which were both quirky and very traditional Western mining town in appearance, which made for excellent photographs.
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Yes. Admission to a real gold mine is included, per the listing, with about 1.5 hours there, and you can try gold panning.
Yes. The listing says you can keep any gold you find while panning.
About 5.5 hours, starting and ending at Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.
Central City and Black Hawk in Gilpin County, then the mine in Clear Creek County and free time in a mining town on the way back.
Ready to book
Old mining towns, a real gold mine and gold panning in 5.5 hours.
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