Gold Dredge 8

The feel

The tour starts beside the Trans-Alaska pipeline, then you board a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad for a 35-minute ride through boreal forest in open-air cars. The train pulls up at the dredge, which mined this area from 1927 to 1942 and walked across the gold fields on stilt-like legs.

Everyone is guaranteed to find some, and the gold is weighed at the gift shop. There is a mining museum, and the gift shop has complimentary coffee and fresh-baked cookies.

What to expect

What it is

A two-hour guided tour of a historic gold dredge, with a train ride and gold panning included.

Time

2 hours, with departures at 10:30am and 1:45pm.

Parking

Paved parking.

Fees and passes

Adults $69.95 to $86 and children ages 3 to 12 $39.95 to $50, depending on where you buy.

Kids

Child rates apply to ages 3 to 12.

Season and access

May 12 to Sept 17, seven days a week, at 1803 Old Steese Highway North near Fox.

Mingo says

Plan this as a summer stop, since tours run from mid-May to mid-September. You can pair it with the Riverboat Discovery tour in one day.

Before you go

• Call (907) 479-6673 to ask about tickets.
• Choose the 10:30am or 1:45pm departure.
• Allow time to wander the grounds and explore the dredge before the return train.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.