Hand-mine a real underground gold ore vein with provided tools and keep what you find
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1 hr underground plus 30 mins panning
Tools, Souvenir sample bag
Go underground to a real gold ore vein and try hard rock mining with provided tools. Hand-chisel your own specimen and keep what you find.
Mine temperature is about 45°F; wear a light jacket and closed-toe shoes. Wheelchairs and strollers have limited access and cannot reach one area due to stairs. Arrive 30 minutes early; infants 3 and under are free but require one dedicated adult.
Full refund with 24 hours or more notice. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows will be charged full price.
1950 Hidee Mine Rd, Central City 80427
Visitors consistently rave about the engaging tour guides here, with Cody, Jim, David, Heather, and Rusty all earning special praise for being knowledgeable, funny, and great with kids. The hour-long mine tour flies by as guides share fascinating history and folklore about gold mining while keeping everyone entertained. Families especially appreciate how interactive the experience is—you'll actually get to chisel your own gold ore and try panning, which seems to be a huge hit with children as young as five. The mine itself is described as the perfect size to really understand the mining process without feeling overwhelming. Many guests mention being surprised by how much they learned and how fun the experience turned out to be, even those who stopped in on a whim. The staff earns kudos for being flexible and accommodating, squeezing in walk-ins when possible and helping guests adjust their plans. Practical tip from multiple reviewers: wear closed-toe shoes and bring a jacket since it's cooler inside the mine. This seems to be a genuinely educational experience that manages to keep both kids and adults engaged throughout.
This experience was so much fun. My son and I were the only ones on the tour and we had such a great time! We learned a lot about the mining industry and got to see the history behind it all. Thank you for the amazing experience!
Steve Krinner
January 30, 2026
This experience was so much fun. My son and I were the only ones on the tour and we had such a great time! We learned a lot about the mining industry and got to see the history behind it all. Thank you for the amazing experience!
Steve Krinner
January 30, 2026