El Dorado Gold Mine Tours

Enjoy a sightseeing train ride and El Dorado Gold Mine Tour from Fairbanks, Alaska.

Join the Binkley family for a trip through Alaska's gold mining history at the El Dorado Gold Mine. Ride the Tanana Valley Railroad for an adventure into the gold fields of the Interior. This is a two-hour guided tour takes you through a permafrost tunnel where Alaska's history comes alive.

Book tour tickets online and save or call us toll free for assistance with reservations, group tour bookings, and private charters.

Tanana Valley Railroad Engine No. 1
Your adventure at El Dorado Gold Mine begins with a ride on a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad near some of the original rail routes. You'll board at the train station and enjoy a short narrated journey to the mine. Your regular conductor and commentator is Earl Hughes.

Permafrost Tunnel
At El Dorado Gold Mine, you'll ride a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad through the original gold fields of Interior Alaska. Your journey takes you through a permafrost tunnel where a miner with a head lamp and pick-axe gives a thorough explanation of underground mining in days gone by. While inside the tunnel, you'll see the kinds of mineral and rock formations that tend to produce the most gold.

Sluice Box
One of the gems of the El Dorado Gold Mine is the husband and wife mining team of Dexter and "Yukon Yonda" Clark. You'll see how gold is recovered using modern day techniques typical of family operations in Interior Alaska. Dexter and "Yukon Yonda" will show you how to work a sluice box-the slanting wooden box that miners use to shovel dirt into, and then wash with water. The riffles on the bottom catch the gold concentrate, and after that it's up to you!

Gold Panning
El Dorado Gold Mine is an exciting hands-on adventure for the whole family. As part of your tour, Alaskan miners will show you how to pan for gold, and you'll receive your own poke filled with pay dirt right from the sluice box. Friendly guides are on hand to help you uncover the gold in your pan.

Cook Shack
Once you have panned your gold, enter the Cook Shack to have your gold weighed and find out the dollar value based on the current market price of gold. Then we can help you choose the perfect keepsake locket for your gold. 14k gold necklace or earring lockets can be made with your gold while you wait-it only takes a moment.

Customer Comments
~ "My wife and I would like to thank you for the wonderful afternoon spent at your mine! Your whole crew is just fantastic and made our 50th anniversary perfect!"

~ "I must tell how uou impressed I am with your tour. Especially with the informative, 'homespun' way your staff shared Alaska's mining life."

~ "I will always remember our stop at the El Dorado Gold Mine as you and your crew were so friendly and informative. It was a real adventure!"

~ "The gold panning exhibition was well done and prepared us all for our own panning experience. The fresh warm chewy cookies at the end of the tour were icing on the cake!"

~ "Our visit to the mine was extremely interesting and educational. This tour was the highlight of our Alaskan vacation!"

~ "We are still talking about the excitement of our Alaskan vacation! I wear my gold nugget with pride and delight!"

Rate does not include hotel pickup. Child rates ages 3-12; 2 and under free; Please reserve online or call us toll-free at 888-307-6199.