Gold Dredge 8 Historic Tour
Description
Experience the thrill of Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8! Start with an up-close look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and discover the story behind its construction and operation. Then, climb aboard a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad and enjoy entertaining stories from the conductor about the thousands of prospectors who flocked to the gold fields during the gold rush. Your scenic train ride delivers you straight to Gold Camp, where you can explore the dredge and try your hand at gold panning—with gold guaranteed! Enjoy complimentary coffee and freshly baked cookies in the gift shop, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and stories of Alaska’s gold rush before returning to the station.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Join the Binkley family for a trip through Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8. Enjoy a close up view of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a presentation about it’s construction and operation. Then take a seat aboard a replica of the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad and hear the conductor tell tales of prospectors who arrived by the thousands during the gold rush. The train ride takes you to Gold Dredge 8 where you will see first-hand how the dredge worked the gold fields, then receive a brief but informative course on gold panning. Once the train arrives at the camp, you will try panning for yourself! You will find gold- we guarantee it! Finally, explore the dredge camp and enjoy complimentary coffee and freshly baked cookies in the gift shop as your gold is weighed, then hop aboard the train and return to the station.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(984)
Fun and entertaining experience. On the train it was hard to see what was being announced and discussed on each side throughout the ride. Large groups make sure to take up a couple benches in the train even if you fit on one so you can see what the guide is talking about. Helpers in gift shop, panning stations and demonstrating were top notch. Nicolas was an entertaining guide.
Spectacular! Great guides, lots of context and support. From learning about the Alieska Pipeline, short train ride and the grand finale panning gold!
A great experience to learn about Alaskan gold mining. Great information presented in a fun easy to understand way! Gold panning was better than expected, and they even weighed our findings for us. Don’t forget to walk about the old dredge.
Great history of the Dredge, pipeline and Fairbanks history. Panning for gold was fun. Didn’t get a lot but you can have your gold flakes put into a necklace, earrings or a magnet. The narrator was great! Train ride was informative too. The gift shop isn’t too expensive.
In 2021 my wife, who passed away in May 26, and I last took the tour of Gold Dredge 8. This time around it is with our son. The tour is still well worth a visit. Get a chance to pan for Gold and keep for a keep sake.
Fun way to learn about the gold mining process and industry, as well as a little about the Alaskan pipeline. Great activity for those who are interested in panning for gold. Most of the people in our large group found at least a few gold flakes, so you won't walk away disappointed. All ages should find something to like!
Very professional outfit. Dexter was worth the price of admission with his gold mining and Alaska pipeline stories.
Best experience ever!! Book it!! From the train ride, to the presentations by the workers and all of their help it was absolutely perfect!
We have taken this tour every year since it opened and this year, for the first time, we were disappointed! The train ride had no people at the first site and Dexter has been around since the gold mine tour and we like him but he wasn't good enough to host the train ride! The fiddle player was better!
Ok...upfront this is a classic "tourist trap", but it is worth doing ONCE just to see the Dredge. The hands-on panning for gold was entertaining, but they do seed the buckets so everyone will find some, and then you are herded into a large gift shop (which is actually really nice and well stocked). This was part of our Cruise Tour booked through Royal Caribbean.
