Breckenridge Tourism Office
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Currently, all eyes are on the state’s golden aspens — but there’s another glittering treasure hidden beneath the surface. Although many boom towns went bust well over a century ago, underground mine tours in Colorado allow you to experience this rich legacy first-hand.
Chisel away at sparkling gold and silver veins, ride vintage mine cars deep into the mountains and search for gems in a sluice box like the prospectors of the past. Visitors are allowed to keep what they find, so on these guided experiences, you might even strike it rich.
Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel
2350 Riverside Drive, Idaho Springs
The Argo Gold Mill once served “the richest square mile on Earth” with its tunnel spanning 4.2 miles between Idaho Springs and Central City. It processed gold ore from dozens of local mines, generating what would be worth $3.2 trillion today. Guided tours allow visitors to step inside the mouth of the tunnel, view the landmark’s original equipment and learn to pan for gold. Purchase tickets for $30 per adult and $20 per youth ages five to sixteen.
Phoenix Gold Mine
800 Trail Creek Road, Idaho Springs
Choose from multiple guided adventures at the Phoenix Gold Mine in Idaho Springs. Options include its classic tour, which allows guests to venture 500 feet underground to view two gold veins, as well as paranormal experiences. Through early October, visitors in hard hats can also take a refurbished mine car train to the Centurion level, which features fluorescent rock formations. Tickets start at $28 per adult and $22 per youth ages four to sixteen.
Hidee Gold Mine
Hidee Gold Mine
1950 Hidee Mine Road, Central City
Step into the boots of a real prospector at the Hidee Gold Mine. This interactive tour in Central City allows participants to take a jackhammer and chisel to a five-foot-wide vertical gold vein. Chip off a piece of treasure, then pan for more gems and keep whatever you find. Guides knowledgeable in local mining and geology lead this underground experience, which costs $35 per adult and $25 per child ages four to fourteen.
Lebanon Silver Mine
646 Loop Drive, Georgetown
Back in its heyday, Georgetown was known as the “silver queen of the Rockies” — in part, thanks to the Lebanon Silver Mine. Access more than a thousand feet of its tunnel via the Georgetown Loop Railroad, one of the state’s most scenic train rides. Shimmering veins, natural silver pearls and calcified boot prints left by prospectors appear on this mine tour. Though bookings are closed for the season, put this site on next summer’s bucket list.
Capital Prize Gold Mine
1016 Biddle Street, Georgetown
Rated among the top attractions in Georgetown, the Capital Prize Mine welcomes guests to venture more than a thousand feet into a fully-functional gold claim. Learn about historic operations and today’s methods, which involve sourcing concentrates from mineral-rich deposits. Similarly, visitors can wield a rock pick and break open mined ore, then keep a piece of any valuable finds. Tours are priced at $30 per adult and $20 per youth ages four to sixteen.
Breckenridge Tourism Office
Country Boy Mine
0542 French Gulch Road, Breckenridge
Since its founding in 1887, the Country Boy Mine has yielded an abundance of gold, silver, lead and zinc. Today, tourism dollars add to its prosperity. Recognized as one of the best things to do in Breckenridge, this year-round attraction offers visitors a look deep into its underground tunnel. View fascinating exhibits, then return to the surface and learn to pan for gold in Eureka Creek. Tickets are $48.95 per adult and $39.95 per child ages four to twelve.
Old Hundred Gold Mine
721 County Road, Silverton
Of all the mine tours in Colorado, this experience in Silverton takes visitors the farthest from the light of day. Climb into a vintage mine train and ride a third mile (nearly 1,800 feet) into Galena Mountain. Inside the tunnel, guides explain how blasted dynamite exposed the site’s colorful crystals and lucrative quartz vein. See historic machines in action and pan for copper, silver and gold in the Old Hundred sluice box for $30 per adult and $15 per child ages five to twelve.
Bachelor Syracuse Mine
95 Gold Mountain Trail, Ouray
Through mid-October, the Bachelor Syracuse Mine invites guests to delve into the aptly named Gold Mountain. Gleaming lodes of silver were also discovered at this site shortly after it was established in the late 1800s. Book a tour to learn the history of this former working mine and the hardships prospectors faced in the rugged San Juans. Guided gold panning offers a glimpse into their efforts. Tickets cost $25 per adult and $12 per child ages four to twelve.
Last Chance Mine
504 Last Chance Mine Road, Creede
In addition to the Underground Mining Museum, the town of Creede features tours of the Last Chance Mine. Six experiences are available and start at $10 per person. Select from a pitstop-worthy peek to an in-depth exploration of multiple tunnels. The four-foot-wide vein of glittering amethyst, sowbelly agate and silver is a dazzling sight. Outside the tunnel, visitors can chip away at ore with geological hammers while taking in incredible views.
Hard Tack Mine
County Road 20, Lake City
Generally open from June through September, the Hard Tack Mine lies along the stunning Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway. Sections of the road demand four-wheel drive, but any vehicle can access this remote attraction from Lake City. Journey into the mine tunnel to view historic machinery, plus a gallery featuring the area’s largest collection of rare rocks and minerals. Priced at $13 per adult and $9 per child, tickets also grant access to its underground gift shop.
