Crystal Gold Mine
Discover gold and gems at this historic mine! Fun tours, panning, and digging for the whole family.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Avoid school groups
Crystal Gold Mine
Best Time
Avoid school groups
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover gold and gems at this historic mine! Fun tours, panning, and digging for the whole family.
"A great adventure and a little hidden gem right off of I90!"
🎯 Book in Advance!
Call ahead to confirm tour times, especially if traveling far. School groups can fill up slots.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The mine has slick surfaces and low ceilings. Avoid open-toed shoes or heels. :athletic_shoe:
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 567 reviews
Type
Tourist Attraction
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Crystal Gold Mine Tour
Inside the mine
Explore historic veins of quartz and learn about gold prospecting in an engaging, informative tour.
Gold Panning Experience
Panning area
Unleash your inner prospector and try your luck finding gold or gemstones in the sluice.
Gemstone & Fossil Dig
Digging area
A fun, hands-on activity for all ages, offering the chance to unearth hidden treasures.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Accessibility & What to Wear
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book in Advance!
Call ahead to confirm tour times, especially if traveling far. School groups can fill up slots.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The mine has slick surfaces and low ceilings. Avoid open-toed shoes or heels. :athletic_shoe:
👨👩👧👦 Fun for All Ages
Great for families with young kids; the panning and digging are big hits. :child:
💰 Affordable Packages
Various packages offer good value for the mine tour and activities. :moneybag:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book in Advance!
Call ahead to confirm tour times, especially if traveling far. School groups can fill up slots.
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The mine has slick surfaces and low ceilings. Avoid open-toed shoes or heels. :athletic_shoe:
👨👩👧👦 Fun for All Ages
Great for families with young kids; the panning and digging are big hits. :child:
💰 Affordable Packages
Various packages offer good value for the mine tour and activities. :moneybag:
🚗 Day Trip Potential
An excellent day trip option, about 1.5 hours from Spokane. 🚗
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors generally praise the Crystal Gold Mine for its fun and informative tours, engaging panning and digging activities, and friendly staff. It's considered a great value for families and a worthwhile stop for a day trip. However, some guests have experienced issues with booking and availability, particularly when school groups are present, leading to disappointment.
"We did the mine tour and paid for the emerald strike panning afterwards. We had a great time and definitely recommend this experience! The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. We had our 2 and 4 year old with us who also had a blast."
Deanna Finchamp
"This is a great adventure as much as it is a little hidden Gem right off of I90. I took a day trip from Spokane roughly an hour and 20 minute drive give or take. There is an RV Park attached to it that looked really nice. I choose to do the Mother load package and it was a blast. My inner child was extremely happy. Learning about the mine and seeing the Veins of quartz from small to big was absolutely amazing. It does have some low points you have to duck your head on other wise it is pretty accessible. I do not recommend taking wheel chairs or if you have any difficulties walking on slick surfaces. There is fun to be had for the whole family from the gift shop, the mine tour, panning for gold or gemstones, digging for fossils, and an arcade game that you can shoot the star out to win a prize (I was close). I spent about 2 hours here and it was amazing worth the trip. The pricing is really affordable with different packages. Need a day adventure or even a weekend adventure I would truly check this place out. I know I will be back!"
Roberta Snyder
"This place is fantastic! What a great tour!! It was really informative and fun even for a toddler. I rated this a 4 out of 5 stars only because they have only one bathroom on site for the campground and it doesn’t have any shower facilities. The RV sites are good size , even though it’s right off the highway it wasn’t hard to sleep at all. The whole facility is clean and well kept. It isn’t flashy or fluffy like some camp grounds . It doesn’t have a play ground, laundry room or more than one bathroom but it does have charm and pizzazz. The shooting range for kiddos is fun, the on site museum and gold mine are all so cute. You can even do a little gold panning! So fun for an over night stay , a lot to do in a little town."
heather Norbisrath
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Crystal Gold Mine is conveniently located right off I-90, making it an accessible day trip. It's approximately a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from Spokane, Washington.
Yes, there is parking available on-site. The attached RV park also offers parking for visitors.
Absolutely! Many visitors make longer trips, like a 6-hour drive, for the experience. However, it's crucial to book in advance to avoid being turned away.
It's a great stop for a day adventure or even a weekend if you utilize the RV park. The location right off the highway makes it convenient.
Take I-90 West from Spokane. The Crystal Gold Mine will be a short distance off the highway, making it easy to find.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Pricing is very affordable with different packages available. The 'Mother Load' package is a popular choice for a full experience.
It is highly recommended to book in advance, especially if you are traveling a long distance or during peak times. This helps avoid disappointment, as tours can be fully booked by school groups.
The mine tour is informative and fun, teaching you about the mine's history and showing you veins of quartz. It's accessible for most, though some low points require ducking.
Yes, you can often add on activities like gold panning or gemstone digging separately if you prefer not to do the full mine tour.
While specific discount information isn't detailed, the packages are generally considered affordable for families. It's best to inquire directly about group rates.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Activities include a guided mine tour, gold panning, gemstone digging, fossil digging, a gift shop, and an arcade game.
Yes, the mine tour is generally considered fun and informative for children, including toddlers.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes as the mine floor can be slick. Comfortable clothing is also recommended.
The mine has low points requiring ducking and slick surfaces, making it not recommended for wheelchairs or those with significant walking difficulties.
A visit can last around 2 hours, depending on how many activities you choose to participate in.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there is a gift shop that also sells various snacks.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally acceptable to bring your own snacks or a picnic to enjoy in designated areas.
The gift shop offers snacks, but for full meals, you might need to explore dining options in the nearby town.
There isn't a full-service restaurant, but the gift shop provides snacks for convenience.
Snack options are typically limited, so it's best to check availability on-site or bring your own if you have specific dietary needs.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed inside the mine, but be mindful of other visitors and the potentially low lighting conditions.
The mine itself offers unique geological formations. The panning and digging areas also provide fun photo opportunities.
It's advisable to check with your tour guide. Flash photography can sometimes be disruptive or prohibited in certain areas.
Be respectful of the environment and other guests. Avoid blocking pathways or disrupting the experience for others.
A camera with good low-light performance or a smartphone with a decent night mode would be beneficial for capturing the mine's atmosphere.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit