Relive the historic Alaska Gold Rush with a visit to the Crow Creek Mine. Once one of Alaska’s most prosperous mines, the Crow Creek Mine is one of the most easily accessible and popular gold panning attractions in Alaska. Less than an hour outside of Anchorage, the Crow Creek Mine is the perfect place to explore gold rush history and try your own hand at striking gold.
Explore the Crow Creek Mine on your own or join a guided tour. With a tour, you’ll learn the basics of gold panning and get to try your luck at prospecting. Best of all, you can then keep whatever gold you find. You can also explore the perfectly preserved townsite, check out the old mining artifacts and prospecting tools, or hike to Crow Pass—part of the Historic Iditarod Trail. Visitors often combine a visit to Crow Creek Mine with a guided canyoneering adventure in Crow Creek or a glacier tour.
To get to the Crow Creek Mine from Anchorage, head south 35 miles (56 kilometers) on the Seward Highway to Girdwood. The mine is located along Crow Creek Road, just off of Girdwood’s main drag. There’s also a free shuttle from downtown Girdwood and the Alyeska Hotel.
Crow Creek Mine is typically open from May through September. Hours vary depending on the time of year. Look out for the Salmon Bake events—usually in June through August, where you can enjoy live acoustic music and a feast of cedar plank salmon and other Alaskan favorites. This event is popular and sells out, so it's recommended to get your tickets in advance.
Considered one of the most scenic trails in the Chugach Mountain Range, the Crow Pass Trail sets out near the Crow Creek Mine and follows the Historic Iditarod Trail, which runs from Seward to Nome. This challenging 23-mile (37-kilometer) hike from Girdwood to the Eagle River Nature Center passes by glaciers, waterfalls, mine ruins, and more.
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