Field Trip Information

Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site schedules group tours or field trips for groups of 10 or more people. There is a limit to the number of people that can be accommodated per day so tours are booked on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. From April through October, group tours begin at 9:00 a.m. and are scheduled every hour. November through March, group tours are scheduled beginning at 10:00 a.m.

  The busiest months at Reed Gold Mine are April and October. Teachers are advised to schedule school tours a month in advance (as soon as you have a date in mind!) to get the date desired.

  A typical group tour consists of the following (not necessarily in this order):

      Orientation film “Finding Gold” (25 minutes)

      Self-guided tour of the Visitor Center ’s museum (15–20 minutes)

      Guided tour of underground mine tunnels (30–45 minutes)

      Guided tour of the Stamp Mill (30 minutes)

      Panning for gold (30–45 minutes)

  Groups should plan on spending 2 ½ to 3 hours at Reed Gold Mine to complete all of the above activities. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for registration at the Visitor Center . Only the group leader needs to register at the Visitor Center . Late groups may have to forfeit activities (including panning) if they miss their scheduled arrival time.

  Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty. A light jacket is also recommended since year-round temperature in the mine is 55–60 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Picnic tables (without shelter) are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eating is also permitted on Visitor Center grounds for groups wishing to bring their own picnic blankets. The site offers vending machines (beverage and snack) but no other on-site food services.

  FEES

Admission to Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site is free, but there is a fee for gold panning. The group rate fee for panning is $2.00 per pan. Reed Gold Mine does accept credit cards but only VISA or MASTER CARD. Everyone who pans for gold must pay the fee. Reed Gold Mine is unable to issue complimentary gold panning passes to group chaperones, teachers, or drivers.

  PANNING FOR GOLD

Children arriving with groups must be in the third grade or higher in order to pan for gold.

  Panning for gold is a weather-permitting activity. Reed Gold Mine staff reserves the right to close the panning area due to inclement weather. A full refund will be given to groups if weather closes the panning area.

  UNDERGROUND MINE TOUR

The guided mine tour is a walking tour covering 400 feet of underground tunnels. At the deepest point, visitors are 50 feet beneath the surface. Group leaders should be aware that some visitors are not comfortable in confined spaces. The mine tunnels are handicap accessible but it should be noted that the floors are roughly surfaced with gravel. Please arrange for extra assistance, if necessary, for members of your groups in wheel chairs as they will be traveling “offroad” on the trails and in the mine.

  GIFT SHOP

Reed Gold Mine has a small gift shop area with souvenirs ranging in price from $0.50 to over $20.00. Only 12 students at a time are allowed in the gift shop. If you have a large group, please add extra time to your trip to allow for shopping.

  RESERVATIONS

To book a group tour, please call Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site at (704) 721-4653.

Susan Smith                    Historic Interpreter               

Aaron Kepley                     Historic Interpreter               

Larry Neal               Site Manager              

  Please be prepared to give the following information:

      Name of Group

      Number of People (children and adults, including chaperones)

      Age or Grade Level of Group

      Contact Name

      Contact’s Mailing Address

      Contact Phone Number

      Will your group pan for gold—yes or no?

  CHECKLIST FOR BOOKING A SCHOOL TOUR AT REED GOLD MINE:

                          Choose a date (please have several alternate dates in mind)

                          Schedule buses or transportation

                          Call and book tour with Reed Gold Mine Staff

                          Arrange for payment of panning tickets (purchase order? invoice from

Reed Gold Mine? collect money from students?)

                          Send permission slips home to parents, with information on appropriate

dress (comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can get dirty)

                          Recruit chaperones