The Crystal Gold Mine, located in Kellogg, Idaho, is an authentic 1880s underground gold mine that is a popular tourist attraction. The mine is open year round and guided tours are provided. To reach the Crystal Gold mine, take Idaho Exit 54 on Interstate 90 to the Miner’s Memorial which is located on the North side of the freeway. Then turn left on Silver Valley Road and continue on for two miles to the entrance.
The address is 51931 Silver Valley Road, Box 510, Kellogg, ID 83837-0519. Phone number is 208-783-4653.
Winter Hours are from 10 am to 4 pm daily from October 1 thru April 1. The schedule from December 1 thru March 1 is on Saturday and Sunday only. Summer hours are daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Admission prices are as follows: Adults $10, Children 4 thru 17 $7.50, Children under 4 are admitted FREE, Senior Citizens $9, and Family Rate for five people is $36 which covers one or two adults and children under 17 years of age. Each additional child is $5. Tax is extra.
Group rates and/or school group tours may receive a discount if reservations are made in advance.
History of the mine:
It was originally discovered by a gold prospector named Tom Irwin in 1879. He built a cabin and mined the gold for three years. He blasted the hillside down to hide the mine, left the area with his mining tools inside and never returned. Consequently, the mine was lost for over 100 years. His background remains a mystery as it is not known where he came from or where he went after leaving the area.
The current owner, who is a retired miner, bought the mine in 1996 and turned it into a tourist attraction. The guided underground tour lasts approximately one half hour and is well lighted, safe and inspected by the State of Idaho. There is no climbing required. The tour is a fun adventure that can be enjoyed by the entire family and by people of all ages since there is easy walking on concrete walkways in the mine.
No reservations are required and flash and video cameras are welcome. The mine temperature is 48 degrees all year long so a coat or sweater may be needed.
For those visitors who prefer to come by bus or recreational vehicle, there is a convenient parking area for buses and RVs on site. Additionally, a picnic area is available for outdoor meals during mild weather. The Crystal Gold Mine also offers
an underground gift shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs of their tour.
The mine was considered a sufficiently interesting tourist attraction to television viewers so that it was filmed for future showing on the Arts and Entertainment Channel.
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