mine tour in breckenridge co

What you need to know when visiting Breckenridge

Breckenridge Gold Mine Tours

Prospectors came to Summit County during the gold rush of 1859.  Nearly all of the mines are now shut down but here are a few Breckenridge Gold Mine Tours that are still open to visitors:

Country Boy Mine

The Country Boy Mine Tour is a great walk through Breckenridge’s mining past.

Founded in 1877, the Country Boy Mine is one of the oldest and most famous mines located in Summit County. Early in its 100-year history, the County Boy Mine was known for gold and silver production and later earned national fame by producing large amounts of high-grade lead and zinc for use in World War I and World War II. Today, the mine offers daily underground tours and gold panning.

Breckenridge History Tours

Gold panning during a Lomax Placer Mine Tour.

Create memories with affordable guided historic tours, family-friendly museums and gold panning. Breckenridge History tours bring our rich past to life through its extensive list of museums and gold panning sites . Take a journey back in time to Breckenridge’s hard rock mining era with one of our expert guides. Step inside miner’s cabins, see and feel original mining equipment and learn to pan for gold. What you find is yours to keep!

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Country Boy Mine – Breckenridge

Founded in 1887, the Country Boy Mine is one of Summit County’s most historic mines. It’s located two miles east of downtown Breckenridge.

It was well known during its 100-year reign for rich gold and silver production, as well as later for high-grade lead and zinc used during WWI and WWII. The ore brought out of this mine and other Rocky Mountain mines helped form the West and prosperity to the U.S. The Country Boy Mine preserves and showcases this important part of Colorado’s history.

Mine Tour and Gold Panning

Head inside a real gold mine just minutes from one of Colorado’s most popular mountain towns. In addition to touring it guests can pan for gold, pet the burros, slide down a 55-foot ore chute, view the authentic mining relics, and browse the general store.

Mine tours have been offered for more than 20 years in Breckenridge. It usually opens just before Memorial Day Weekend and runs for a few weeks into October. Tours are offered every day during the peak summer season until early September, and then just weekdays until they close for the season in mid-October.

A jacket and good walking shoes are recommended for the tour. Helmets are provided. Tours run at the top of every hour during operating hours, 10 am-4 pm during summer, and 11 am-1 pm after Labor Day. Reservations are not required, just show up 15 minutes for your selected tour.

Gold Panning – Panning includes easy-to-follow lessons, equipment (a gold pan), and a few secrets. Patience is required. You’ll be prospecting in French Gulch, named for French Pete who first discovered gold here.

And where the biggest gold mass ever found in Colorado, nicknamed Tom’s Baby, was found. Keep all the riches you pan in the river. Try your luck for an hour or longer, it’s up to you. Then have fun exploring the authentic mine site.

Mine Site – In addition to touring a real mine, you can enter restored buildings, including the Blacksmith Shop and Compressor House. There are exhibits, complete with old photographs, as well as mining equipment.

There’s also a walking tour, with interpretive signs about the French Gulch, Wellington Mine, which had 18 miles of underground tunnels, Tom’s Baby, and rocks from dredge boats.

General Store – Bring home some classic mining souvenirs, local books, wooden toys, mineral rocks, and enjoy the tasty rock candy. Local jewelry is available, as well as gold panning equipment. It keeps the same hours as the mine.

Extreme Sledding

Summit county’s newest winter attraction is a high-speed, adrenaline-charged trip down a mountain on a hammerhead racing sled. Country Boy Mine’s Alpine sledding course is nearly one Kilometer of snow-covered fun.

Riders are taken up to the mine’s original 1881 entrance high above the valley by snowcat or sleigh and then shoot back down slopes of over 25% back to where they started through a number of huge snaking turns.

Riders can opt for a single run or four bravery testing runs, which will take around an hour to complete. Helmets are highly recommended, and a selection of sizes are available on-site to rent. Average speeds down the course are 20km/h – with some sections being considerably faster. There is also a small fun park available for people that want to sled – but not THAT fast.

Monster Truck Sleigh rides

It’s like a sleigh ride with a twist. Horses can’t handle the long climb to the fantastic views at the top of Country Boy Mine’s property, so Country Boy Mine uses Betsy, a 1948 monster truck with tracks. Each tour includes plenty of fascinating Breckenridge gold mining history, and some amazing views and selfie opportunities.

The road used snakes up the mountain through the forest, and the scenery is breathtaking. When your sleigh gets to the highest point, you can walk on the original tailings pile of the 1880s mine, see the old hippie cabin, and look back down the valley to Breckenridge’s ski slopes.

The entire experience lasts around half an hour – and finishes up with s’mores over a fire (as long as there isn’t a fire ban).

Address: 0542 French Gulch Rd, Breckenridge , CO

Phone: 970-453-4405

Season: Year-round

Website: countryboymine.com

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Real Gold Mine Tour with, gold panning and more

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Country Boy Mine - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

UponArriving

Country Boy Mine Tour Review: An Authentic Mining Experience

If you’re ever in the Breckenridge area and seeking an opportunity to transport yourself back in time and immerse yourself in the rich mining history of the region, look no further than the Country Boy Mine Tour.

From exploring the shadowy depths of a mine tunnel to engaging in the time-honored practice of gold panning, there’s a lot to do at this historic mining site.

Below, I will tell you everything you need to know to fully prepare for your visit so that you’ll be able to just focus on having a great time.

Table of Contents

What is the Country Boy Mine Tour?

The Country Boy Mine in Breckenridge, Colorado, is a historic mine turned tourist attraction. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore a real, former gold mine and learn about the region’s rich mining history.

The mine was originally founded in 1887 during the Colorado Gold Rush, when the area was teeming with prospectors in search of precious metals.

The Country Boy Mine was an active gold and silver mine that operated for several decades, contributing to the growth and development of Breckenridge as a mining town in the late 1880s.

Later on, the mine transitioned to producing large quantities of high grade lead and zinc for use in World War I and World War II.

Today, the Country Boy Mine provides guided tours that take visitors underground to experience what it was like to be a miner during the height of the mining industry.

Visitors can explore the mine shafts, see mining equipment, and learn about the techniques and challenges involved in extracting precious minerals from the earth.

In addition to the underground mine tour, the Country Boy Mine offers various other attractions and activities. These include gold panning, where visitors can try their hand at finding real gold flakes and a number of outdoor museum exhibits that showcase mining artifacts.

The Country Boy Mine is not only a place to learn about the mining industry but also a unique destination to experience the rugged and adventurous spirit of the Colorado mountains.

It offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the miners who toiled underground in the pursuit of precious metals and is a reminder of how important the mining era was to the prosperity of the country.

Related: Georgetown Loop Railroad: Worth It? (Honest Review)

How to book a visit to the Country Boy Mine Tour

I’d highly recommend you to book your tickets online because sometimes they go fast.

A lot of the mining attractions shut down for the winter but the Country Boy Mine Tour is available year-round . In addition to the mining tour they also offer other activities like a scavenger hunt, gold panning, extreme sledding, and more.

How to get to the Country Boy Mine Tour

The Country Boy Mine is located at: 0542 French Gulch Road, Breckenridge 80424 .

Breckenridge is about an hour and a half west of Denver and about 45 minutes west of Georgetown.

The mine itself is located just outside of the downtown area of Breckenridge and it should only take you about five minutes to get to when driving. As you approach on French Gulch Road, you’ll see the sign for the mine on the side of the road and it’s really hard to miss.

When visiting the area I also recommend checking out the Reiling Gold Dredge, one of nine dredges that operated in Summit County between 1898 and 1942. It’s just a few minutes down the road and accessible via a very short trail.

From 1898 to 1942, miners in the Breckenridge region employed massive dredges to meticulously search the gulches and river valleys, leaving no trace of gold unexplored.

From 1905 to 1922, two dredges operated in French Gulch: the Reliance and Reiling, and they were among the most profitable in Breckenridge, recovering an average of $1,000 in gold per week (approximately $100,000 in today’s dollars).

But the success did not last forever and on November 18, 1922, the Reiling sank in this pond where it remains today.

The massive rock piles it created are far-reaching and these did a lot of damage to the environment, lining the river valleys with long piles of gravel. The Reiling dredge created the rock piles you can see from this site which seem to span for miles toward the west.

This entire valley of French Gulch was a major gold mining area in the 19th century. In fact, it’s where in 1859, a miner named Tom Groves discovered a 13.5-pound piece of crystalline gold, which became known as “Tom’s Baby.”

Tom Groves was so proud of his discovery that he wrapped it in a baby blanket and carried it around town like a baby. Hence the name!

Tom’s Baby is still remembered today as one of the most famous pieces of gold ever found in Colorado and is still the biggest one ever found. 

Our experience at the Country Boy Mine Tour

We booked a tour for 11 AM and showed up about 15 minutes early which is the recommended arrival time.

We checked in at the visitor center/gift shop, completed a waiver, and then all we had to do was wait around for a little while.

Killing time is very easy around here because there’s a lot to see and explore, including structures that recreate the old wild west days.

You can explore a variety of impressive machinery at this location, including air compressors and a robust piece of equipment known as the rocker shovel loader.

Discover the pivotal roles these machines played in the mining operations and unravel the secrets behind why they were so perfectly suited for those type of industrial operations.

In addition, be sure not to miss the chance to encounter the absolutely adorable miniature donkeys. Back in the day, these were used to navigate narrow tunnels and transport materials. But today, these lovable creatures add an extra touch of charm to the experience and are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Then there’s the 55-foot ore chute slide which you don’t want to miss. Take a plunge down the slide and feel the rush of excitement as you make your grand exit.

Just a week prior we had explored the Argo Mill in nearby Idaho Springs which takes you inside of a historic mill and allows you to walk a bit inside of the Argo Tunnel which was used to drain a lot of the mines in the area.

The tour was very interesting but did not actually take us inside of a mine so this tour offered us a distinct experience.

When it was time for the tour, we were greeted by a very charismatic and energetic tour guide who did a good job of keeping things interesting. You’ll get a short introduction with your tour guide and then it will be time to make your way inside the mine.

The first stop is the dry room where you will pick up your hard hat and also get a good overview of the mine’s design.

From the beginning, it was clear that the focus was on making the most of the experience for the kids so this is a very kid focused experience.

I do want to note that during the tour, there were a couple of instances where small children became a bit frightened and started crying, possibly due to the darkness, unfamiliar sounds, or just the slightly creepy nature of the mine.

However, the guide mentioned that this is not a widespread occurrence, so the majority of children will likely handle the experience well.

It’s also worth pointing out that inside of the mine, it’s very chilly, probably somewhere between the 40s and 50s.

You definitely want to bring a jacket or sweatshirt to keep you warm but they did have jackets on the wall which I’m assuming they issue for people who don’t come prepared.

You might also consider having an outer shell that’s water resistant because there was a steady drip-drip situation from the ceiling at times.

In this particular mine, the ceiling is not excessively low, so you never feel uncomfortably cramped like in those mines you might have seen on TV. Even as someone who experiences a bit of claustrophobia, I felt perfectly at ease.

The mine is relatively well lit so you don’t need to fix a headlamp to your helmet or carry around your own light torch.

With that said, you still want to keep an eye on where you’re stepping because some parts are a tad slippery and the ground is sometimes a little uneven. But overall, it’s not a problem, especially if you stay on the narrow tracks.

You make a couple of different stops along the way and during the stops you’ll be able to learn a lot about the infrastructure of the mine and some of the day to day challenges that miners faced dealing with things like explosives and loud noises.

During our tour, our guide maintained a G-rated narrative, so we didn’t delve into many explicit details. However, learning about the arduous working conditions always amplifies my admiration for the resilience and dedication of miners, both in the past and present.

One of the highlights of the Country Boy Mine tour is the opportunity to witness the widowmaker in action. The widowmaker, with its deafening metallic clanging and impressive hydraulic force, creates quite the display as it drills into the rock, showcasing the sheer power and intensity involved in the mining process. Just don’t forget to cover your ears!

When we finally reached our deepest point in the mine which was about 1,000 feet in, our guide decided to go old school and lit a candle after turning off the lights so that we could see just how miners back in the old days navigated these dark corridors.

It was at this point that we were given a talk on the enduring urban legends and folklore that miners have handed down through generations, ranging from avoiding extinguishing candles to avoiding the final shift. Given the constant peril they faced, one can understand their inclination for giving into a bit of superstition.

With our mine tour adventure complete, the time had come to bid farewell to the chilly depths of the mine and embrace the warmth of sunlight once again.

As you venture out of the mine, get ready to immerse your hands in the shimmering stream of possibility as you learn the age-old skill of separating precious gold from the surrounding sediment.

With expert guidance and a little practice, you’ll discover the thrill of uncovering glimmers of gold, making your visit even more unforgettable.

You’ll also have the opportunity to switch out your shoes for some rain boots and step into the shallow waters to try out the experience.

This felt a lot more authentic than the gold panning we did at the Argo Mill, as there’s a genuine sense of connection to the mining heritage as you roll up your sleeves and engage in the physical act of pulling out the earth yourself.

Furthermore, the location itself is a sight to behold, offering a breathtaking backdrop of majestic mountains that elevate the gold panning experience to new heights. The scenic beauty surrounding you adds an extra touch of wonder and serenity to the activity.

I’d highly recommend the Country Boy Mine Tour.

The only negative I have to say about the experience is how kid-centric it was. I totally understand why it’s that way and if you are visiting as a family it’s obviously a plus.

But if you are an adult with no children, the kid-centric, rated “G” experience may have you feeling a little out of place during the tour — at least I did compared to the Argo Mill experience.

Still, overall, it was a worthwhile experience being able to go so deep into a historic mine and learn a good deal about the mine.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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Tourist Mines and Museums - Visit

Click on the links on this page to learn more about tourist mines and mining museums in various regions in Colorado.

Central Colorado Mountains

Argo Gold Mine and Mill (tour) 2317 Riverside Idaho Springs, CO (303) 567-2421

Clear Creek Mining and Milling Museum 23rd Avenue and Riverside Drive Idaho Springs, CO

Edgar Mine  (tour) Colorado Blvd. and 8th Street 365 8th Ave. Idaho Springs (303) 567-2911

Phoenix Mine   (tour) Idaho Springs (303) 567-0422

Capital Prize Gold Mine  (tour) 1016 Biddle Street Georgetown, CO (303) 569-2468

Lebanon Mine  (tour) and Georgetown Loop Railroad 1111 Rose Street Georgetown 1-888-4-LOOP-RR (1-888-456-6777)

Gilpin County Historical Society Museum 228 E. High Street Central City, CO 80427 (303) 582-5283

Hidee Gold Mine  (tour, appointment only) County Road 6, Central City/Blackhawk (303) 989-2861

Gold Panning at Lomax Gulch 301 Ski Hill Road Breckenridge

Country Boy Mine (tour) 542 French Gulch Road Breckenridge, CO (970) 453-4405

Washington Mine and Milling Exhibit  (self-guided tour) 465 Illinois Gulch Road Breckenridge

Summit County Historical Society (970) 453-9022

Aspen Historical Society 620 W Bleeker St Aspen, CO (970) 925-3721

Smuggler Mine and Compromise Mine Aspen Mountain(tour, reservations required) 110 Smuggler Mt. Road, Aspen (970) 925-3699 (970) 925-2049

Matchless Mine   (tour) 414 W. 7th Street Leadville (719) 486-3900 (719) 486-1899

National Mining Hall of Fame &, Museum 120 W. 9th Leadville (719) 486-1229

Front Range

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum 16th and Maple St. Golden, CO (303) 273-3815

Denver Museum of Nature and Science 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver (303) 322-7009

Western Museum of Mining and Industry 225 North Gate Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 488-0880 or 1-800-752-6558

Lafayette Miners Museum 108 E. Simpson Street Lafayette, CO 80026 (303) 665-7030

Nederland Historical Society and Museum 4th and Bridge Streets Nederland, Boulder County (303) 285-3575

Southwestern Colorado

Hard Tack Mine  (tour) Hanson Creek and Engineer Pass Road (970) 944-2506

Creede Underground Mining Museum Forest Service Road 503 #9 Creede, CO (719) 658-0811

Last Chance Mine  (tour)/Last Chance Mine Museum Last Chance Mine Rd&, Bachelor Loop Rd Creede, CO (719) 568-1059/(719) 238-7959

Ouray County Historical Society and Museum 420 Sixth Street Ouray (970) 325-4565 (970) 325-4075

Bachelor Syracuse Mine (tour) 1222 CR 14 Ouray, CO (970) 325-0220 (summer) (800) 932-6337 (winter)

Old Hundred Gold Mine   (tour) 721 CR 4A Silverton (970) 387-5444 or 1-800-872-3009

Mayflower Mill   (tour) 2 miles north of Silverton on Highway 110 County Road 2 (970) 387-0294

South Central Colorado

Lowell Thomas Museum 298 Victor Avenue Victor (719) 689-5509

Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine (tour) 1 mile north on Highway 67 Cripple Creek (719) 689-2466 1-888-291-5689 9101

Cripple Creek District Museum 5th and Bennett Avenues, Cripple Creek (719) 689-2634

Lost Mine  (tour) P.O. Box 3 Salida, CO 81201 (719) 221-6463

Southern Colorado

Walsenburg Mining Museum 101 E. 5th Street, Walsenburg (719) 738-1992

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Visit the breckenridge history archives digital collections to view and download images from the town’s history, high line railroad on mtn tv.

Breckenridge History & Museums: Georgetown Loop Railroad & Mine Tour

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• Georgetown Loop Railroad & Mine Tour

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All aboard! Hop on the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Mine Tour to travel back in time on one of the state's best narrow gauge railroads for an experience you won't forget.

Providers these companies can get you there, georgetown loop railroad.

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Three-foot narrow gauge railroad connects Georgetown and Silver Plume. The classic steam or diesel locomotives gain 640 ft. in elevation over four bridges and 3.1 miles of track. The Devil's Gate High Bridge is a spectacular crossing over Clear Creek. Daily schedules in the summer and regular weekend service in the winter.

Though the towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume lay only two miles apart, the road between them was an engineering hurdle finally tackled in 1884 with a three-foot narrow gauge railroad. This corkscrew route covers twice the distance and gains 640 feet in elevation using grades of up to 4%.

Take the time to walk 500 ft. into the Lebanon Silver Mine through a tunnel dug in the 1870s. It's a great chance to put on a hard hat and listen to a guide point out the silver veins, all the while explaining the details of a gold rush era mine.

Georgetown Loop Historic Mining & Railroad Park has a number of buildings to visit while you're waiting for the train to depart. A depot from 1884, an old mill and the Pohle house are just some of the options available.

Arrive in Georgetown with some time to spare so you can enjoy the restaurants, shops and recreational opportunities. Fantastic shopping can be found on Sixth Street in the National Historic Landmark District.

Location/Directions

Located just 45 miles west of Denver on I-70, the Georgetown Loop Train can be boarded at Devil's Gate Station in Georgetown. Take exit #228 from I-70, taking a right at the visitor's center and following the signs to Loop Drive.

Another option is boarding the Georgetown Colorado Train at the Silver Plume Depot, off exit #226 on I-70.

For more information, call (888) 456-6777.

Hours/Seasons

The Summer season is late May to mid October, with the Fall and Winter operations continuing with weekend and special service.

Silver Plume Depot opens at 9:00 AM Devil’s Gate Station in Georgetown opens at 9:30 AM. 

Summer Operations

• Roundtrip Open Coach Train Ride Adults $25.95  Children (3-15) $18.95
• Roundtrip Train Ride with Mine Tour Adults $35.95 Children (3-15) $27.95  

Winter Operations

Run on the weekends and special operations, please check with Georgetown Railroad for schedule and fares.

Tickets may be reserved in advance by calling 1-888-456-6777 or purchased onsite if space is available.

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History & museums.

• Alma Colorado
• Barney Ford Museum
• Breckenridge Firehouse Museum
• Breckenridge Historic District
• Climax Ghost Town
• Country Boy Mine
• Dillon Schoolhouse Museum
• Edwin Carter Museum
• Eisenhower Tunnel
• Frisco Historic Park
• Lomax Placer Mine
• Montezuma Ghost Town
• Montezuma Schoolhouse
• Officers Gulch
• Washington Mine
• High Line Railroad Park

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5 Historic Mines Close to Breckenridge, Colorado to Explore this Fall

March 25, 2023

One of our favorite past times during the fall season in Breckenridge is exploring the historic mines and sites in the area.  Many mountain towns in the Rocky Mountain region date back to Colorado’s rich mining history, and the Breckenridge area has numerous opportunities to experience and explore the land’s former mining era!

1. Lomax Placer Mine

The Lomax Placer Mine is within walking distance of Main Street in downtown Breckenridge and was towns first placer, or surface mine, marking it as a foundation of Breckenridge heritage. You may take a tour here and even pan for gold in the museum’s creek, using historic mining tools, just as the 49ers did.  These tours run June through September, Tuesday through Sunday, so book your tour of Breckenridge’s best hidden gem today.

2. Washington Gold and Silver Mine

Located just outside of town, the Washington Gold and Silver Mine allows guests to view original mining equipment and structures. Without structured tours, guests can view equipment and exhibits and learn at their own pace.

3. Country Boy Mine

The Country Boy Mine , located a few blocks from Main Street, offers the most hands-on experiences for guests within a short distance of Breckenridge.  First, experience the tour and history of the mine itself with of their experienced guides. The is 1,000 feet below the ground, probably the deepest you will ever be beneath the earth’s surface.

Examine the equipment, look at all the old photos, and have fun with the exhibits. Follow the tour up with some gold panning, or head straight for the friendly retired burros.

For a bit more excitement, send it down the 55-foot ore chute. Pretend you are a piece of gold or silver ore on your way to the forges to be smelted into an ingot. Finish the day off by perusing the gift shop, fully stocked with old fashioned candy and toys (and fashioned to look like an old general store).

4. Jessie Mill and Mine

Choose your own adventure and take a hike down Gold Run Gulch to explore Jessie Mill and Mine all on your own. This historic site has been preserved by the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, and therefore has maintained much of its original structure. The Jessie Mill and Mine was once one of Breckenridge’s largest mining complexes and played a crucial role in the growth and prominence of the town.

5. Phoenix Gold Mine

The Phoenix Gold Mine is not located in Breckenridge, but is an experience hard to not mention when discussing Colorado’s mining history.  Located in the current and historic mining town of Idaho Springs, The Phoenix Gold Mine is a great stop whether you are headed out of Breckenridge or into town from the front range, as it is conveniently placed right along I-70.

Here, visitors can tour an original underground mine and pan for gold. Well behaved dogs are even allowed on tours! Featured on television shows such as National Geographic, Ghost Hunters, and Globe Trekkers, its renown is well deserved due to its size and historical prominence.

Got your fill of history? In the mood for more adventure while you are in the area? Check out all of our rafting trips and other outdoor adventures!

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Monster Truck Sleigh Rides Now Open

Self Guided Historic Snowshoe Tour

Take In The Sights!

Quick Details

• User Ages: All Ages
• Hour Glass Duration: 1 Hour
• Checkmark Includes: Snow Shoe Rental & Trail Fees
• Info Important Information: Rental Snowshoes Must Be Returned By 5:00pm

Explore the extensive property of Country Boy Mine and snowshoe trails of Breckenridge, Colorado!

See the historical exhibits on your way up and the old miner’s cabin when you reach the top. Enjoy the fabulous views at the top before you start to begin your descent and get to exploring the wide network of trails.

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Country Boy Gold Mine Tour & Panning Experience

Get on this award-winning gold mine tour and you might just strike gold you can keep! Delve 1,000 ft. into the mountain’s original workings since 1887, pan for gold in Eureka Creek, experience life as a Colorado miner from a century ago, and enjoy hours of family-friendly fun year-round.

• Hour Glass 60-90 Minutes
• User All Ages

Gold Panning

Skip the gold mine tour altogether and go straight into gold panning along Eureka Creek! Trade the tour for the immediate hands-on excitement of unearthing treasures, connecting with the mining history, and then taking home your findings.

• Hour Glass 1 Hour

Snowshoe Treasure Hunt Tour

Jump on a thrilling private treasure hunt armed with a map and a metal detector at Country Boy Mine’s historic site! Unearth clues on this five-star family adventure that will lead to a treasure that you get to keep along with the fun memories.