Catch gold fever with guaranteed gold. Keep all you can find!
Tour Includes escorted tour by prospector/guide from the dock; van transfer to Gold Creek; use of rain ponchos if needed; gold panning lessons; narration on the gold discovery of Juneau and hard rock mining; take home the gold you pan; gold claim certificate; return transfer to the dock.
HISTORIC GOLD MINING & PANNING ADVENTURE
Catch “gold fever” and experience what it was like to seek your fortune during Gold Rush days! Learn to pan for gold (and keep all you find!), and discover Juneau’s colorful mining heritage for yourself. Head out with a prospector/guide for a historical tour of Juneau en route to “Last Chance Basin”.
Your prospector will show you how gold panning is done on the banks of Gold Creek, in a beautiful, secluded mountain setting. We are the only company allowed to use this special place, but the locals know how much gold is still there, so you will likely witness some real panners. Expertly work the pan with helpful tips, and you will find gold–guaranteed!
Availability
Late April – Early October
Multiple departure daily
Duration
1.5 Hours
Times are approximate
Cost
Adult: $99 per person
Child: $79 per person
Book This Tour
Full Tour Description
Step back in time and catch gold fever on this hands-on gold panning adventure in Juneau. Discover the excitement of the Gold Rush days as you learn to pan for gold—and keep everything you find!
Your journey begins with a historical tour of Juneau, led by a costumed prospector guide dressed in authentic 19th-century attire. Along the way, you’ll pass landmarks like the state capitol before heading to Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin, the very spot where Joe Juneau and Richard Harris struck gold in 1880.
At this secluded, scenic location near a waterfall, accessible only through this tour’s special permit, your guide will demonstrate traditional gold panning techniques. Then, it’s your turn! Pan in the creek or use a waist-high demonstration trough—perfect for all ages and mobility levels. With expert tips and guidance, you’ll swirl your pan like a pro. Gold is guaranteed, and everything you find is yours to keep!
As you pan, take in the surrounding history. You’ll see remnants of the original Alaska-Juneau Mining Company, which once operated as the largest gold mining operation of its kind in the world. Learn about historic mining techniques and the endless pursuit of fortune that shaped Alaska’s past.
Before you leave, take home a souvenir Orelove Brothers Gold Claim Certificate along with all the gold you discover. Experience the thrill of the Gold Rush and take home a piece of Alaska’s rich history!
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