We were quite uncertain whether the tour would be worth the time and $15, but we came out quite satisfied. The tour guide, a 74 year old man, was very engaging and really helped us imagine the times when the mine was active from 1870-1934. Even though you had to watch your head in many places, the mine was well ventilated and comfortable. Recommend for all ages, except those who may find it difficult to climb up a short but steep ladder at one point in the tour. The mine had no signage from the 2nd Street and hence a bit difficult to locate. The unsurfaced road from the gate to the mine is only wide enough to accommodate a vehicle and you can't easily see who is coming from the other end; be prepared to back out.See more..
4.5Hangtown's Gold Bug Park(184 reviews) - Lodes of Fun History on Mine and Stamp Mill Tour Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Parks • Mines
You'll step back in time when you enter Gold Bug Park! It'a a REAL mining site from the Gold Rush days. Explore the park and then the mining museum. Find your riches in the gem panning trough. Be sure to visit our historic Stamp Mill and working Blacksmith Shop. Hattie's Gift Shop will be open for that special one-of-a-kind memento of your mining experience. Be sure to top off your visit with an audio tour of the Gold Bug Mine (see below; fee applies). Our Hours: April thru October: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Daily November thru March: 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM on WEEKENDS ONLY During your self-guided audio tour of the Gold Bug you'll hear a California Gold Rush miner tell about the tools he used to get at that elusive yellow metal - GOLD! As you enter the 352 foot drift of this hard rock mine, you will feel the cool air brush against your face. Activity Suggestions: Bring a picnic lunch. Take a relaxing hike suitable for all ages along our dog-friendly trails. Check out the gold rush museum and perhaps stumble upon a lively blacksmith or a "real" 49er to share stories of the good ol' days. Gold Bug Park promises to be a wonderful experience for you and your family. Outdoor Pavilion rental available for groups of up to 75 people - suitable for summer graduations, family picnics, weddings, reunions, and more. For Schools: We offer educational and entertaining guided tours for both schools and private groups. Contact the park to bring your California history curriculum to life.See more..
This is an amazing State historic area. Hiking is fantastic. Learn about the history of the malakoff Diggins and how an environmental disaster turned into this beautiful place. This is a very easy place to visit. Pull up, walk into the visitor center, and pay your $10. Find the trails and hike until your heart's content. I visited in mid July 2020. Weather said it was 98, but it certainly felt hotter. Be sure to bring plenty of water. See more..
We did this hike first thing before it got too hot and the parking lot filled up. The footing was good, there was lots to see in addition to the mine, and it was the right distance for us. The history of the mine was explained clearly.See more..
4.5Kennedy Gold Mine(72 reviews) - Mining guided tour was great Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Mines
Opened in 1860 and closed in 1942, the mine unearthed $34 million in gold. Open for tours weekends March thru October.See more..
Located 25 miles north of Coulterville, this town is currently one of the favorite gold panning locales off of Highway 49.See more..
3.5Himalaya Mine(25 reviews) - great experience! Geologic Formations • Mines
This privately owned mine extracts valuable pink tourmaline from underneath the desert floor.See more..
4.0Oceanview Mine(23 reviews) - Had a blast - they are the nicest people. Sunday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Mines
Super fun outing for the rock collector in all of us. We found some beautiful quartz and a few gemstones. The thrill of discovery was a great component, you never know what treasures could be in each bucket. The hosts were so nice and informative. We were dirty and exhausted at the end of the day, which makes it a winner.See more..
Great place for all age kids if they like hunting for gems,plus a terrific spot to get out of that gnarly city and enjoy some fresh mountain air. Oh did i forget to mention apple pie a few miles away after a tough day digging for gems. Friendly folk as well,always willing to answer questions.See more..
4.5Reward Mine(10 reviews) - A MUST DO! Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Mines
The road leading up to the mine definitely requires 4x4 and high clearance. Going into the mine with my jeep was very fun and I only went about 0.2 miles. It appeared to go further down but that is as far as I was comfortable going. I wonder just how far it goes. I've been searching for internal maps of the mine but no success.See more..
4.0Stonewall Jackson Gold Mine(4 reviews) - Interesting Visit to Stonewall Jackson Gold Mine - Descanso, CA Spent 1-2 hours Mines
We visited the site of the Stonewall Jackson Gold Mine. There is a tiny museum there that describes the mien and people involved. There are also hiking trails.See more..
5.0Jim Town Gold Mining Camp(3 reviews) - Great time Sunday: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Geologic Formations • Mines This gold mining camp teaches you how to pan for gold in Wood's Creek.See more..
5.0Chemung Gold Mine(1 review) - A Peek At California's Past Mines This is a place that is best asked about locally in Bridgeport before you go, It is best enjoyed in a 4X4 or4WD vehicle (*Not AWD!*), preferably with good ground clearance. Watch the trail for rocks that seem to attract oil pans and suspensions. Do not drive >25 MPH (40 km/h)! Turn off the A/C and roll your windows down. Enjoy the sagebrush and the silence. When you get to the mine site, be careful walking around, There's broken glass and nails, among other possible hazards. Do not take anything form the site. Like all California gold mine sites, Chemung is supposedly cursed for anyone who takes anything from it. I've also heard more and different stories of hauntings at Chemung than I have at any other. (Saturday nights are supposedly the worst (best?) for this. If you explore the ruins, so not go inside! The ruins are very unstable and could come down at any time. There are two level to this site which are worth very carefully exploring. However, do not go into any open addits! (Horizontal mine shafts!) They are extremely dangerous. Also, cellphone reception here can be dicey. Finally, be aware of idiots who rent 4X4's and do dumb things in them like speeding! I had a KIa Sportage coming down at my windshield a few years ago because a guy discovered that he could get it airborne! Despite my cautions, Chemung is a place worth seeing, if your vehicle and the weather allow you to go.See more..
