Indian Valley Mine, National Historic Site
Indian Valley Mine, National Historic Site
Indian Valley Mine, National Historic Site
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The main cabin, which contains the gift shop, and the assay building at Indian Valley Mine has some of the oldest structures built on the Turnagain Arm, and are listed as a National Historic Site. Indian Valley Mine offers visitors the opportunity to learn gold panning and browse through two historic cabins built in the early 1900's a small museum and gift shop, or simply sit back on one of our benches and take in the panoramic view of the Turnagain Arm.
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4.5
97 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
17
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Ravenito
Charlotte, NC545 contributions
July 2024 • Family
I tried really hard to enjoy myself here, I really did, but I just couldn't get past the bugs. They were AWFUL and bug spray did nothing. It wasn't mosquitos, it was some kind of beach fly and the lady who was working there said they come out for around 2 weeks in the summer and they're terrible while they're out but the rest of the time it's really nice there. I believe her, it was just my dumb luck I was there when they were too and it really spoiled the experience. They were just constantly in my face, eyes, and ears, absolutely driving me insane.
With that said, I think without the bugs this would have been a nice experience. The ladies were really helpful with the panning and I found the old mining equipment and workshop really interesting. The gift shop also had some nice stuff and I thought their prices (in the gift shop, not so much for the panning dirt) were pretty reasonable. I also really enjoyed all the animals they had running around and the ladies there were just so friendly.
With that said, I think without the bugs this would have been a nice experience. The ladies were really helpful with the panning and I found the old mining equipment and workshop really interesting. The gift shop also had some nice stuff and I thought their prices (in the gift shop, not so much for the panning dirt) were pretty reasonable. I also really enjoyed all the animals they had running around and the ladies there were just so friendly.
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah F
16 contributions
June 2022 • Family
We loved our time here. We were a bigger group (23 of us) of mostly teens. We actually called last minute, and they were able to squeeze us in before closing that very day. Our planned activity fell through so this was a huge help. It turned out to be such a fun day for us. Despite being close to closing, we never felt rushed. They gave us a tour of the place and let us pan for gold till we were done. They demonstrated how to properly pan for the gold and helped us anytime we needed them. Everyone in our group found something in their pans to take home. The gift shop was super cute. The scenery was breathtaking. The family that owns the mine was incredibly sweet and helpful. We would definitely return and highly recommend this as a stop. We spent about 1.5-2 hours here. We enjoyed every bit of that. Thank you!!
Written 29 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer O
1 contribution
June 2022
Stopped at Indian Valley Mining on our way back to Anchorage before closing. The guys were very helpful, explained about gold, showed us techniques on how to find gold. The guys didn't rush us out at closing, they told stories about Alaska and their property. Greatly enjoyed it, would recommend and go back!!
Written 10 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen M
Marshfield, MO7 contributions
July 2022 • Family
We stopped in on our wsy back to Anchorage from Seward and were glad we did! Arlene showed us the buildings and told us the history of the buildingd and gold mining techniques. She later patiently taught us how to pan for gold. So glad we stopped by. Memories were made. Thank you!
Written 25 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mangodave93
6 contributions
Apr 2023
This was a delightful stop. It’s closed in the winter, but Arlene noticed us in the parking lot and invited us up to see the outdoor area, which was lovely. She was also kind enough to introduce us to some of her beautiful birds, including ducks, roosters, and turkeys! We will hopefully make it back in the summer months when everything is open!
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert
3 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
Wonderful visit here. Escorted to the panning table by all the ducks quaking to make sure we knew the way.
We were shown what we might expect to find in each size bucket. $20 $50 $100. We picked the $100 and enjoyed the next hour panning. Demonstration was provided along with advice on correct methods so we would not lose gold.
Also treated to home made rhubarb pineapple juice drink.
Thanks
We were shown what we might expect to find in each size bucket. $20 $50 $100. We picked the $100 and enjoyed the next hour panning. Demonstration was provided along with advice on correct methods so we would not lose gold.
Also treated to home made rhubarb pineapple juice drink.
Thanks
Written 1 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RodneyenjoysAlaska
West Des Moines, IA97 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
We had a great time panning for gold and all of us found color in our pans. Lots of history on site. I enjoyed the very well kept tool shop and the historic tools. Chickens turkeys and ducks loose on site. No mosquito problems.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harmony C
2 contributions
May 2020 • Couples
We really enjoyed our first time mining for gold, what a wonderful experience. Great owners, very kind & humble. What a fabulous view and great place to visit. We will definitely have to make our way back. We loved the gift shop, as well as seeing the museum of things from history. I had more fun looking for all the little things in the sand while my other half got the gold. I also really enjoyed seeing the animals, especially hearing about the chickens, ducks and turkeys.
Written 18 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting! Wonderful meeting you and hope to see you again.
Written 20 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jessica W
Chevy Chase, MD87 contributions
July 2021 • Family
A nice stop along a beautiful highway! This is a Family run business and they are very kind and helpful. Patient to help us pan for gold and gem stones. They have ducks, a turkey and peacock roaming about too.
Written 14 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ah91021
7 contributions
July 2019 • Family
My family and I had such a good experience here. We were greeted with a short tour of the mine and helpful staff who taught us how to pan. It was so much fun to get to actually find gold. Good gift shop and a great authentic gold panning experience.
Written 11 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would someone in a wheelchair be able to pan for gold here?
Written 5 September 2023
How much time should I allow to visit the Indian Valley Mine? We are a family of four, 2 adults and 2 boys (10 and 12). I am assuming that the majority of time is spent gold panning not much visiting.
Written 5 March 2019
There is a free history tour by the owner. I think you should take it if you like history. Then he has several different sizes of containers to choose from to pan gold. He puts gold pieces there intentionally so everyone gets something.
He is very cheerful and my kids loved him.
You need at least two hours. But I am assuming choosing a smaller bucket can take less time. But I think give the children ample time to enjoy planning. After all, that is what Alaska is about.
If you are not rushed, take your time.
Written 6 March 2019
Are there tours to your site? We will be in Anchorage without a car...
Written 31 May 2017
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