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Phoenix Gold Mine Tour
303-567-0422
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Gold Mine Tour | Panning for Gold | Hiking Trails | Gift Shop | Location/Directions
CATCH GOLD FEVER at our real working gold mine - as seen on the Discovery Channel!
The Phoenix Gold Mine is recognized, on the USGS maps, for its place in history. This claim was originally discovered in 1871! In the heart of the historic Idaho Springs mining district. After touring the Phoenix Gold Mine you are welcome to pan in our stream, enjoy a picnic lunch, or take a mountain hike! No, we don't sell miner's grub, but we have picnic tables for you to bring along your own! Spend the day in the rustic Colorado mountains, tour the mine, pan for gold and relax! Gold pans are supplied for your use while at the Phoenix.
This mine was recently featured on TV world wide and on the Discovery Channel. John Sayles filmed the mining part of his movie, Silver City, at this historic and colorful mine. The movie set against the backdrop of a mythic "New West Colorado" and can be rented on DVD.
Open 7 days a week, all year around, weather permitting.
GOLD MINE TOURS:
Tours last between 45 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, depending on how many questions you have. It is a walking tour on a slight grade. No ladders are used in the tour. Strollers and Wheel Chairs are permitted, though it will take a little maneuvering around the tracks from time to time.
A new mine opened recently, the Union Tunnel, nearby a short distance from the Phoenix Mine that has rich gold ore available for visitors to extract their own specimens. The mine tunnel goes in 1,000'. In the first 100' feet you will get your samples. At 600' in you will be able to traverse the last additional 400' of tunnel by boat!
There are 2 new and exciting tunnels to soon be toured in addition to the Phoenix, with a projected opening date for the summer of 2006! Alvin Mosch has been quite busy this last year, working to open these new tours on time.
PANNING FOR GOLD:
Panning for Gold and other minerals, gems and metals can be great fun or very frustrating depending on the day! Try your hand at this age old activity and learn some hands on history in the process! After your tour, you are invited to try your hand at panning in our stream. Your guide will instruct you in the art of gold panning and then lend you a pan so you can give it a try! You are welcome to stay as long as you would like.
HIKING TRAILS:
We also offer two hiking trails on our property for your enjoyment. Once you've have had your fill of panning and would still like to hang out for a while. Take the hiking trail, up to the Little Albert Mine and the Kelly Mine. There is also a more strenuous hike above the Phoenix mine. Use of these trails are included in the price of admission. Ask the attendant or your guide for directions to the trails. Please stay on the trails and never enter any old mine shaft, they are very dangerous places, unless they have been made safe for folks to visit. Children may not hike without parents. Wildlife you may come across are: chipmunks, squirrels (ground and black), foxes, raccoons, snakes, rabbits, porcupines, birds, mice, deer and a few others native to this area. Please do not approach wildlife or pick wildflowers.
GIFT SHOP:
Two historical mining books authored by the mine's owner, endorsed by the National Mining Hall of Fame, are on sale here. Rich mineral specimens are available.
LOCATION/DIRECTIONS:
Take I-70 to Exit 239, go 1 mile west of Idaho Springs on I-70 Frontage Road, then 3/4 mile south on Trail Creek Road. PO Box 3236, Idaho Springs CO 80452; 303-567-0422, or call 303-567-4382 for hours.
Visit our Web site www.phoenixgoldmine.comElevation: 8200 feet above sea level.
Region: North Central - Denver Mountain Area
Region: North Central
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Open Dates For On-Site Activities: All Year
Mine Tours: On site.
Download our Colorado Map here
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