Receiving a Guided Tour of the Broken Boot Gold Mine
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Broken Boot Gold Mine

4.5
·805 reviews·Deadwood, United States

Step back in time at the Broken Boot Gold Mine, exploring historic underground tunnels and trying your hand at gold panning.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Early morning tours

Fewer crowds, cooler temps

CrowdLow
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Receiving a Guided Tour of the Broken Boot Gold Mine

Broken Boot Gold Mine

Best Time

Early morning tours

Fewer crowds, cooler temps

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step back in time at the Broken Boot Gold Mine, exploring historic underground tunnels and trying your hand at gold panning.

4.5
(805 reviews)

"Guides like Abby, Hudson, and Phoenix are known for their jokes and engaging stories, making the tour awesome!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Arrive Early for Tours

Aim for an 8 AM visit for a chance at a private tour and to beat the crowds.

👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes

The mine is cool and damp; comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must. :athletic_shoe:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Underground Mine Tour

Underground Mine Tour

Inside the mine tunnels

Explore historic gold mine tunnels with a knowledgeable guide, learning about mining history and seeing glittering veins.

Gold Panning Experience

Gold Panning Experience

On-site gold panning area

Try your luck panning for gold and take home any precious flakes you find – a fun, hands-on activity for all ages.

Miner's Life Insights

Miner's Life Insights

Throughout the tour

Hear fascinating stories and learn about the brutal conditions miners faced, brought to life by witty and informative guides.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds & Heat

Arrive early, especially during peak season, to snag a spot on an early tour and avoid the midday heat underground. Some visitors recommend an 8 AM visit for a potentially private tour. Reddit

What to Wear & Bring

It's cool and damp inside the mine, so wear layers and sturdy shoes. Helmets are provided, but bring your phone or camera for photos and videos – they're allowed! TikTokInstagram

Best Times

When
Early morning tours
Why
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Crowd
Low
When
Hot summer days
Why
Escape the heat underground
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

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@honky.tonk.heroes
167.7K likes • 1M views

🎯 Arrive Early for Tours

Aim for an 8 AM visit for a chance at a private tour and to beat the crowds. Reddit

👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes

The mine is cool and damp; comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must. :athletic_shoe:

Ways to cope during a zombie attack: Use a weapon ❌ Scream ✅ #lol #sandboxvr #vr #virtualreality #reaction #zombies #deadwoodvalley
@sandboxvr
55.6K likes • 10.6M views
Join Ghost Hunter Marie Mason in Deadwood in May 2024. https://deadwood.eventbrite.com #blackhillsparanormalinvestigations #brokenbootgoldmine #deadwoodsd #deadwood #bullockhotel #adamshouse #historicadamshouse #thebrotheldeadwood
adams1920
21 likes • 316 views

📸 Capture the Memories

Photos and videos are allowed! Bring your phone or camera to document the experience. :iphone:

💎 Take Home Souvenirs

You can keep any loose stones you find on the ground in the tunnels! :gem:

✨ Inside the BROKEN BOOT GOLD MINE ✨
fatima_mcosta
10 likes • 100 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Arrive Early for Tours

Aim for an 8 AM visit for a chance at a private tour and to beat the crowds. Reddit

👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes

The mine is cool and damp; comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must. :athletic_shoe:

📸 Capture the Memories

Photos and videos are allowed! Bring your phone or camera to document the experience. :iphone:

💎 Take Home Souvenirs

You can keep any loose stones you find on the ground in the tunnels! :gem:

😂 Enjoy the Humor

Guides like Abby, Hudson, and Phoenix are known for their jokes and engaging stories. Reddit+2

What Travellers Say

4.5
(805 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Broken Boot Gold Mine for its informative and entertaining tours, with guides often highlighted for their humor and knowledge. The historical insights into miners' lives and the unique gold panning experience are major draws. While the mine itself is cool and damp, some find the nearby trolley service unreliable.

"The tour was quite the eye opener. Back in those days conditions were brutal for miners. The tour guide was thorough with descriptions and answered everyone’s questions clearly and included some funny humor. Visitors are permitted to take any loose stones from the ground in the tunnel home with them. You can also take photos and video of the tour. My video length was just over 30 minutes long. Helmets are provided. I would recommend you take the tour when you visit Deadwood. Children enjoy it too!"

Barb Cecil

"Enjoyed our tour, the young blonde girl (apologies i cant remember the name) was very good at explaining what happened all these years ago. Amazing the conditions the mined in and how much volume they actually took out of the mine. Also lovely and cool on a hot day.

Can get here on the deadwood trolley but the trolley is hopeless and a waste of money. See my other review"

Chris Reed

"Cool little tour with great history information given during the tour. Our tour guide Hudson was awesome! He was funny and witty and made the tour fun. Totally worth it!"

the Power

What People Like

Engaging and funny guides
Fascinating mining history
Fun gold panning activity

What People Dislike

Unreliable trolley service

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Broken Boot Gold Mine is located in Deadwood, South Dakota. While some visitors mention the Deadwood trolley, one review called it 'hopeless and a waste of money.' Driving is a common and recommended way to reach the mine. Reddit

Parking is generally available at the mine, making it convenient for those driving. Specific details on parking availability and cost can be confirmed upon arrival or by contacting the mine directly.

Yes, the Broken Boot Gold Mine is a popular stop for visitors exploring Deadwood and the surrounding Black Hills. It's often recommended alongside other historic sites like Mount Moriah Cemetery. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices can vary, but reviews suggest the tour is 'totally worth it.' It's advisable to check their official website or contact them directly for the most current pricing information. Reddit

While not always strictly necessary, booking in advance, especially during peak season or for specific tour times, is recommended to secure your spot. Some visitors have had luck arriving early for tours. Reddit

Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official Broken Boot Gold Mine website or call ahead to confirm their hours of operation for the day of your planned visit. Some reviews mention arriving at 8 AM as they were opening. Reddit

Information on discounts for seniors, children, or groups is not widely available in reviews. It's recommended to inquire directly with the mine or check their website for any potential offers.

Yes, reviews indicate that children enjoy the tour, and it's generally considered suitable for all ages. The engaging guides and hands-on activities like gold panning make it fun for families. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The tour involves walking through underground former gold mine tunnels, guided by an informative and often humorous guide. You'll learn about mining history, see gold veins, and experience a 'blackout moment.' InstagramReddit+2

The tour typically lasts around 30 minutes, as one visitor noted their video was just over that length. This provides a good overview without being too long for most visitors. Reddit

Absolutely! Photos and videos are permitted inside the mine, so be sure to bring your camera or phone to capture the experience. Reddit

Yes, the mine maintains a cool temperature year-round, making it a welcome escape from the summer heat. Wearing layers is recommended. Reddit

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on uneven surfaces. Layers are also a good idea as the mine is consistently cool. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

The Broken Boot Gold Mine primarily focuses on the mining tour experience. There are no extensive dining facilities on-site, but Deadwood offers numerous restaurants and cafes nearby.

While not explicitly stated, it's generally advisable to consume outside food and drinks before or after your tour, especially within the mine itself, to maintain its historical integrity.

📸 📸 Photography

The underground tunnels themselves offer unique photographic opportunities, with visible gold veins and the dramatic lighting. The gold panning area also provides fun shots. Instagram

Yes, photography and videography are permitted during the tour, allowing you to capture the historical atmosphere and geological features. Reddit

The mine is lit to showcase the tunnels and geological formations. While not always natural light, it's sufficient for taking clear photos and videos. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Broken Boot Gold Mine is a fantastic outing for families. Kids often enjoy the adventure of exploring underground tunnels and the hands-on gold panning activity. Reddit The guides are known for being funny and engaging, keeping younger visitors entertained with jokes and interesting facts. Reddit+2 The tour duration is manageable for children, and the cool temperatures inside offer a nice break on hot days. Remember to dress kids in comfortable, closed-toe shoes and layers.

💰 Budget Travelers

The Broken Boot Gold Mine offers good value for its price, with reviews consistently stating it's 'totally worth it.' Reddit The tour provides a significant historical and experiential takeaway for a reasonable cost. Plus, the ability to take home any loose stones found in the tunnels is a unique, free souvenir. Reddit Consider visiting early in the morning to potentially avoid larger crowds and enhance your experience without extra cost.

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photographers, the Broken Boot Gold Mine presents unique opportunities. The underground tunnels offer dramatic lighting and textures, perfect for capturing the atmosphere of a historic mine. Instagram You can photograph the visible gold veins, the scale of the tunnels, and the historical mining equipment. Remember that flash photography might be restricted in certain areas for preservation, but general photography and videography are allowed. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Miner's Experience

The Broken Boot Gold Mine offers a vivid glimpse into the harsh realities of 19th-century gold mining. Guides like Abby, Hudson, and Phoenix bring this history to life with a blend of factual information and engaging humor. Reddit+2 Visitors learn about the brutal conditions miners endured, the techniques they used to extract gold, and the sheer determination required to work in these underground environments. The tour highlights how miners followed veins of gold, deciding digging directions based on these discoveries. Instagram

One of the most striking aspects of the tour is understanding the volume of ore extracted and the physical toll it took on the miners. The cool, damp atmosphere of the mine, a stark contrast to the often hot South Dakota summers, adds to the immersive experience. Helmets are provided for safety, and visitors are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear due to the uneven terrain. Reddit

Beyond the historical narrative, the tour often includes unique moments, such as a 'blackout moment' that simulates the darkness miners worked in, and the opportunity to see large geological gaps within the mine. This combination of education and sensory experience makes the Broken Boot Gold Mine a memorable stop for history buffs and curious travelers alike.

Gold Panning Fun

A highlight for many visitors at the Broken Boot Gold Mine is the opportunity to try their hand at gold panning. This hands-on activity allows you to experience a taste of the gold rush era firsthand. After your underground tour, you can head to the designated area to sift through gravel and water, hoping to uncover your own flecks of gold.

Reviews indicate that it's possible to find gold during this activity, with one visitor excitedly sharing that they 'got some gold!' Reddit This makes the gold panning experience not just fun but also potentially rewarding. It's a great way to extend your visit and create a tangible souvenir from your trip to the mine.

The gold panning is suitable for all ages and adds an element of playful competition and discovery to the overall Broken Boot Gold Mine visit. It’s a perfect activity for families and anyone looking for a bit of interactive adventure.

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