Throughout the years Alaska has been home to a number of gold rushes, drawing prospectors from around the globe. While both working private and commercial gold mines still exist, many people mine for gold just for enjoyment. Whether you desire to try your luck at striking it rich or just want to learn firsthand how gold was found by early prospectors, there are opportunities to experience the rush of prospecting for gold in Alaska.
Gold Prospectors Association of America operates an annual gold prospecting expedition to the historic 2,300-acre Cripple River Mining Camp, located on the mouth of the Cripple River, north of Nome on the Bering Sea. The area was first prospected in the early 1900's when prospectors dug ditches by hand to bring water from the river to operate sluices that separated the gold from the dirt and gravel. The trip is open from late June through early August, in seven-day increments, and reservations are required. Camp-style accommodations, meals, equipments and transportation from Nome are included.
Gold Prospectors Association of America
43445 Business Park Drive
Temecula, Cailf. 92590
800-551-9707, 951-699-4749
goldprospectors.org
Set on the banks of historic Chicken Creek, Chicken, Alaska, was originally established as a mining community where, during the gold rushes, over 100,000 ounces of gold was mined. Set on the site and built by the Fairbanks Exploration Company in the 1930s, it has been designated a National Historic Site. Today Chicken Gold Camp offers visitors tours and the opportunity to pan for gold on the original mining site. Chicken Gold Camp and Outpost also offers accommodations of room, cabins and apartment rentals as well as a full service campground and restaurant onsite.
Chicken Gold Camp & Outpost
Airport Road, Box 70
Chicken, Alaska 99732
907-235-6396 (messages), 520-413-1480 (Internet phone)
chickengold.com
Clark-Wiltz Mining Company offers weekly packages at their Ganes Creek mining property, located 25 miles west of McGrath. Gold prospecting is done with metal detectors over a 30-square-mile area encompassing over 300 deeded mining claims. Over 250,000 ounces of gold have been found on the Ganes Creek property, with over 100 ounces discovered in 2010. All meals, lodging in heated cabins with electricity and plumbing, and daily transportation is included, and you keep all the gold you find. You are responsible for your transportation to the property, your own equipment and metal detector.
Clark-Wiltz Mining
PO Box 327
McGrath, Alaska 99627
907-733-2488, 907-841-3213
clark-wiltz.com
