Price per Person
$15Duration
45 minsDates
JUNE 18 - SEPTEMBER 30Level
EasyDiscover Independence Mine Alaska with Expert Guides
- Description
- Details
Have you always wanted to learn more about the Alaskan Gold Rush? Does investigating the pioneer era sound exciting to you? If you love Alaskan history, you’ll love the Independence Mine State Historical Park tours brought to you by Salmon Berry Travel & Tours. Partner with our local guides to explore the area, attend a field lecture, and more!
Get ready to learn more about the miners, the tools they used, and the general climate when you step into one of Alaska’s historic mines from the time period of 1930-1950. Read through the description and details of this trip below to learn about what we include as a part of this package, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have before you book your next adventure.
Independence Mine State Historical Park Tours
We have three buildings OPEN from 10 am – 6 pm daily. The buildings open this summer tell the story of the mine: The people, the tools, and the milling process. Feel free to come on up and visit these buildings!
- General Managers House
- Bunkhouse No. 2 – with small gift shop & snacks!
- Assay Office
In addition to learning from a local guide, you’ll get a walking tour of the property and step into the shoes of a 20th-century miner in Alaska.
Our local tour guides will provide daily interpretation on a variety of subjects highlighting the history of Independence Mine State Historical Park. The preservation of this cultural heritage of Alaska is the foundation of topic discussion on this 45-minute walking tour. Meet us at Bunkhouse No. 2 to begin our tour! Learn how a miner’s life would have been led between 1938 and 1950 based on miner stories from the valley.
For more information on this tour, please contact us or give us a call 907-278-3572
Frequently Asked Questions…
Can I bring a wheelchair on tour? Certainly! Please note this on your reservation. This tour generally includes stairs and small spaces; however, with advanced notice we can make accommodations for guests with wheelchairs.
Are we able to go into the mine? No, the mill and the mine shafts are closed to the public.
Can we go into the buildings on tour? Yes! Our goal is to get you a glimpse into the past and provide you with an opportunity to enter one of the miner buildings. In Summer 2024 and Summer 2025, there is a restoration project that means that access to buildings changes. Your guide will give you an update on the areas we are able to explore on that day on tour.
I have a service animal – are service animals allowed inside buildings? Certainly! Service animals are welcome to come into the buildings that are open to the public.
How can we support Alaska State Parks? There is a gift shop/snack shop inside Bunkhouse #2 – Not only are you supporting a local, Alaskan owned small business, but you are also supporting Alaska State Parks! A percentage of your purchases at the mine will go back to the State Park – we thank you for your support!
Important Details To Remember
Curious about the Gold Rush, pioneering families of Hatcher Pass, and local flora/fauna? Our local tour guides will provide daily interpretation on a variety of subjects highlighting the history of Independence Mine State Historical Park. The preservation of this cultural heritage of Alaska is the foundation of topic discussion on this 45-minute tour. Meet us at Bunkhouse No. 2 for a field lecture! Make the drive to Hatcher Pass to explore the Independence Mine State Historical Park. A quick day trip from Anchorage!
Within the tour, you will learn about the history of the time period as well as the people who lived and worked in this mining location during the gold rush of the early 20th century.
When you arrive, you will meet 10 minutes prior in BunkHouse No. 2 to sign up for the next tour time. Tours start at the top of the hour.
- Adult Rate: $15 per person
- Military/Senior Rate: $12 per person
- Child Rate (2-11 years): $5 per child
- Infants (under two years) Free
We’re happy to be able to provide you with our regular outdoor tours in addition to some tours and events that take place in indoor locations such as this one. There is hand sanitizer in both the General Managers House and Bunkhouse No. 2.
Groups – any group event greater than 20 needs special use permit from Alaska State Parks. Special use permits can be requested by calling Park Headquarters at 907-745-8950. Please budget up to 1 month for processing this special use permit.
Book Your Curated Tour of Alaska Today!
Co-owners Candice and Mandy founded Salmon Berry with the intention that Alaskan tours should be fun, safe, and ideal for people of all ages and genders. Our guides are enthusiastic and passionate about Alaskan history, wildlife, and nature, and they’re ready and willing to answer your questions while on our various tours. We’re fully insured, and we do our best to maintain sustainable touring practices to preserve the environment we know and love.
In addition to our tours of Independence Mine State Historical Park, we offer dog sled tours, wildlife adventures, and northern lights viewings. We look forward to welcoming you to Alaska and introducing you to the beauty, mystery, and magic of our state. Give us a call today at 907-278-3572 or fill out this form to ask questions or to schedule your tour!
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