gold panning alaska

Girdwood, 37 miles south of Anchorage, packs Alyeska's summer tram, Crow Creek Mine gold panning, and the Winner Creek gorge trail into one day.

Just 90 miles from Anchorage, Hope is Alaska's best-kept secret — a 160-person gold rush town with historic buildings, gold panning & trailheads.

Pan for real gold at an 1896 Alaska gold rush site forty minutes from Anchorage. Eight preserved historic buildings, family-friendly summer day trip.

Gold panning is one of Alaska's most hands-on visitor experiences, and two excellent sites are within day-trip distance of Anchorage: Crow Creek Mine in Girdwood (operating since 1898) and Hatcher Pass Independence Mine State Historical Park. Here's how to plan your visit.