Hidee Gold Mine Tour — Central City, Colorado

Discover the Hidee Gold Mine Tour in Colorado

Experience one of Colorado’s most hands-on and authentic gold mine adventures at the Hidee Gold Mine in Central City. This active historic mine invites visitors deep underground to explore real hard-rock tunnels, view exposed gold veins, and even chisel out their own gold specimen to take home.
Why it’s special:
Hidee is the only Colorado mine where every visitor can mine real gold with tools, offering a rare combination of education, adventure, and hands-on geology.

History/Story of the Hidee Gold Mine

The Hidee Mine was founded during the 1859 Central City–Black Hawk Gold Rush, when prospectors uncovered gold-rich quartz veins in the hills around Gilpin County. The mine operated for more than a century, producing high-grade gold ore well into the 1900s. Today, the site is preserved as a working educational mine where modern visitors can explore original tunnels and learn the craft of gold extraction.

What You’ll See & Do at the Hidee Gold Mine

• Walk through historic hard-rock mining tunnels with exposed gold-bearing quartz

• Learn drilling, blasting, and mucking techniques used by miners in the 1800s

• Watch demonstrations of pneumatic drilling and ore removal

• See gravity chutes, timber supports, air lines, and real underground equipment

• View an authentic gold vein still visible inside the mine

• Use provided chisels and hammers to extract your own gold-bearing rock

• Try gold panning at the outdoor sluices after your underground tour

Hands-On Elements: Chiseling your own gold sample, gold panning, ore ID boards, mining tool demos.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed throughout; flash permitted underground.
Souvenirs & Extras: Gold ore chunks, gemstones, panning kits, shirts, hats, mining toys, books.

Pricing of the Hidee Gold Mine Tour

• Underground Mine Tour + Gold Chiseling:

  • Adults: $27.50

  • Kids (ages 4–12): $20.00

  • Children 3 & under: Free

• Gold Panning Only: $10

• Group rates available for schools, scouts, and large families

Practical Info for Visiting the Hidee Gold Mine

Duration: 60–75 minutes underground + optional panning
Format: Guided underground walking tour with hands-on mining
Schedule & Seasonality: Open year-round; expanded hours in summer
Working Hours: Typically 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (seasonal variations apply)
Audience: Families, aspiring prospectors, geology lovers, history fans
Accessibility: Uneven underground terrain; not wheelchair accessible
Safety & Restrictions:

• Closed-toe shoes required

• Jackets recommended (underground temperature around 45–50°F)

• Hard hats provided

• Panning area outdoors—dress for weather
  Languages: English
  Group Visits: Very popular for scout troops and school groups
  What to Bring/Wear: Warm layers, sturdy footwear, a sense of adventure
  Facilities: Gift shop, restrooms, outdoor seating, parking
  Closures & Downtime: May close for heavy snow or mine maintenance

Nearby

• Central City Opera House

• Gilpin History Museum

• Black Hawk casinos & restaurants

• Russell Gulch ghost town

FAQs About Visiting the Hidee Gold Mine

Do I really get to keep the gold I chisel out?
Yes—each visitor receives a gold-bearing rock specimen they personally chip from the vein.

Is this gold real?
Absolutely—Hidee’s vein contains genuine gold visible in quartz.

Is the mine safe for young kids?
Yes, families visit often, though the uneven ground requires close supervision.

How difficult is the chiseling portion?
Guides provide tools and instruction—only light hammering is required.

Do tours operate in winter?
Yes—Hidee is open year-round, and underground temperatures stay around 45–50°F even in snow.