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Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour

3 (6)
Anchorage, US
3 (6)
Anchorage, US
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Experience the thrill of gold panning in the stunning landscapes of Turnagain Arm on our Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour. Leave the city behind with the Turnagain Arm Shuttle and embark on a journey to Indian Valley Gold Mine. This adventure is perfect for independent travelers seeking breathtaking views and a taste of Alaskan history. Explore the real mine that shaped the area and try your luck at gold panning on your own terms. Break away from the tour groups and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Turnagain Arm. After your adventure, simply board the shuttle and return to Anchorage at your convenience. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the hidden treasures waiting to be found at the Indian Valley Gold Mine.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 1 hours - 5 hours
  • Suitable for 1-8 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Visit a real gold mine
  • Chance to try gold panning on your own
  • Breathtaking views of Turnagain Arm
  • Scenic drive down the Seward Highway
  • Convenient shuttle from Anchorage back to the Visitors Center
  • Local guide at Indian Valley Mine
  • Customers pay their own admission and pay dirt buckets
  • Gratuities
  • Customers pay their own admission
  • Admission to the mine and one paydirt bucket

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the thrill of gold panning in the heart of Alaska's magnificent landscape with the Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour. This unique adventure takes you to Indian Valley Gold mine, where you can immerse yourself in the history that helped shape the area. Departing from Anchorage, the Turnagain Arm Shuttle transports you along the breathtaking Turnagain Arm, revealing awe-inspiring views along the way. With this self-guided tour, you have the freedom to break away from tour groups and try your luck at gold panning on your own terms.

What to expect?

During the Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour, you can anticipate a duration of 60 to 300 minutes, allowing you plenty of time to explore this remarkable site. The tour starts at the Anchorage Visitors Center, where you'll board the shuttle and embark on a scenic drive down the Seward Highway. Along the way, you'll make stops at Beluga Point and Turnagain Gallery, soaking in the stunning scenery that Alaska is renowned for. At Indian Valley Mine, you'll have the opportunity to try your hand at gold panning, uncovering the thrill of finding precious nuggets in a historic mining location.

Who is this for?

The Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour is perfect for independent travelers seeking an adventurous and captivating experience. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply someone looking to try your luck at striking gold, this tour caters to a wide range of interests. Embrace the freedom of exploring at your own pace and connect with the beautiful Alaskan wilderness in a way that suits your individual preferences.

Why book this?

The Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour offers a multitude of advantages that make it a must-try experience. As an independent traveler, you have the freedom to chart your own course and immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Turnagain Arm. Feel the rush of anticipation as you dig for treasures in the same mine that shaped the local area. The scenic drive, coupled with the opportunity to pan for gold, guarantees an adventure filled with excitement and unforgettable memories.

Good to know

This self-guided tour provides the flexibility you desire, allowing you to explore at your own pace and return to Anchorage at select times. Take advantage of the scenic walks around Indian Valley Mine, and when you're ready to continue your journey, simply board the hourly shuttle back to Anchorage. With pick-up and drop-off at the Anchorage Visitors Center, convenience is at your fingertips. Prepare for an exhilarating experience that combines stunning natural beauty, rich history, and the prospect of discovering precious gold.

Reviews

Previous visitors have shared their enchantment with the Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour, immersing themselves in the captivating experience of panning for gold amidst Alaska's breathtaking scenery. They praise the flexibility of the tour, allowing them to explore at their own pace and take in the beauty of Turnagain Arm. Many praised the helpful staff and the thrill of finding gold nuggets, making this a truly remarkable adventure that exceeded their expectations. Overall, customers have expressed their satisfaction with this unique opportunity to connect with Alaska's rich heritage in a way that is both educational and engaging.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Alaska's Finest Tours & Cruises - Tours

(Pass by)

Take a drive down the Seward Highway on the Turnagain Arm Shuttle to Gold Pan

Seward Highway

(Pass by)

Take a drive down the Seward Highway on the Turnagain Arm Shuttle to Gold Pan

Turnagain Arm Drive

(Pass by)

On the way down to the Indian Valley Mine you will be traveling down Alaska’s most scenic highway known as Turnagain Arm. You will make a stop at Beluga Point, Turnagain Gallery and then on to the Indian Valley Mine where you can try your luck for Gold. 

Beluga Point

(Pass by)

Photo spot

Turnagain Gallery

(Pass by)

On the way down to the Indian Valley Mine you will be traveling down Alaska’s most scenic highway known as Turnagain Arm. You will make a stop at Beluga Point, Turnagain Gallery and then on to the Indian Valley Mine where you can try your luck for Gold. 

Indian Valley Mine, National Historic Site

You may want to take some of the scenic walks found around Indian Valley Mine.  When you are ready to continue on simply board the hourly shuttle from the Indian Valley Mine back to Anchorage.  The return journey back to Anchorage is simple allow us to arrange your shuttle back to Anchorage.  It’s that easy.

Admission Not Included

Reviews

(6)

3 (6)

Sharon_C

This tour never happened. It is only transportation to the site. You ride the van with another tour with another destination. We were told we would only have an hour at the site, in order to get a ride back to Anchorage. It was a lot of money for transportation only and very little time was allowed to enjoy the area. Plus, this tour did not include the admission fee which was not clarified until it was too late to cancel and get a full refund. Because of the cost for transportation, we decided to stay with the other tour. Full disclosure was lacking with this tour.

Annette_P

The shuttle was really nice! Shuttle was clean and we learned a lot. As we had extra time, we even stopped at places not on the list like a waterfall and Potter Marsh. Gold panning was an awesome experience. The owners were fun and informative and we all left with some gold! Not much gold, but we can now say we panned for our own gold. Without the worries of driving, this mom had a great day!!!

Traci_B

The tour bus/van company moved our start time from 11:00am to 1:45pm the evening before our tour. So we rearranged our plans for that day to accommodate the bus tour company. They promised to take our group to The Alaska Wildberry Products company to see the worlds largest chocolate waterfall, due to the inconvenience. Then the day of the tour they texted at 1:18pm stating they’d arrive at 2:00pm now. My family and another family were already there waiting on them. Make note that once you get to the address they provide to be picked up, there are other companies and services that pick up and drop off at the exact same location but there is no signage or instructions as to exactly where to go to wait, which causes confusion. And on top of the fact that the bus/van was even later than 2:00pm to get there made everyone concerned we had been scammed. But, the bus/van did finally arrive at approximately 2:30pm. When you finally arrive at the gold panning location, panning for the gold was fun. Since the driver did not stop at the Alaska Widberry Product company on the way to the gold panning, we all thought we’d be stopping there on the way back. It did not appear the driver Ben was planning on stopping anywhere, so I asked when we would be there. He replied, he didn’t have time to take us there now because he was running behind. Even though he and the tour bus/van company are the ones who promised us and the other passengers to take us there for them inconveniencing us. Through the website I booked this tour I requested a refund. Within minutes of submitting my request, Ben the driver calls me to say he could offer to take us on a tour the next day, but he would not be giving me a refund. I explained to Ben that we already had made prior plans and just would like a refund due to them lying and moving times at the last minute and being late on top of that. He began to argue with me and refused to issue a refund. My family understands unexpected things come up to cause times to change or maybe even people to be late. But to promise paying customers something and then lying and not taking us where they promised to after they said they would is just flat out lying, rude and disrespectful. They inconvenienced all of us but they couldn’t go out of their way to do what they said they would do. Then to call the paying customer and argue with them on the phone. Unprofessional and disappointing to say the least. Definitely not worth the $287 I paid for a ride to go gold panning, for four people. Could of saved the money and drove there ourselves.

Jessica_Kw

Waste of money when you can drive yourself to the mine. You are paying for the shuttle. Driver pushed our tour back over 2 hours then showed up 40 minutes late. Promised to make it and excellent experience to make up for it. Said he’s take us to the “largest chocolate waterfall” but ended up not having time or wanting to go because he had a rough day. He was not interactive with the drive. Then we had to pay for the panning at the mine

Linda_S

Tim was great. Friendly lots of great information. Beautiful sites to see. Great tour. Loved Tim natural look. Perfect for Alaska. Would definitely recommend.

Bob_H

I always wanted to pan for gold and this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Well worth the time and well worth visiting. You get to pan for gold. They teach you how and I did get flakes of gold and precious stone nuggets. WOW. What a great time we had. I highly recommend going and having fun doing it.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-19 16:39