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Trip Planner:   USA  /  Colorado  /  Idaho Springs  /  Argo Mill and Tunnel

Argo Mill and Tunnel, Idaho Springs

4.5
#2 of 26 in Things to do in Idaho Springs
Specialty Museum · Mine
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The Argo Gold Mine and Mill is a former mining and milling property consisting of a gold mine and gold mill in Idaho Springs, Colorado, built at the entrance of the Argo Tunnel. The tunnel was built between 1893 and 1910 to drain the gold mines in Virginia Canyon, Gilpin Gulch, Russell Gulch, Quartz Hill, Nevadaville, and Central City and allow easier ore removal. The mill was built at the entrance of the tunnel to process ore from the many mines drained by the tunnel. The property had been closed from 1943 until 1976, when it was purchased by James N. Maxwell. He wanted to preserve an example of the Colorado gold rush mines. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in January 1978.
The Argo Mill is open all year for tours, weather permitting. Visitors see a brief history movie, mining equipment demonstration and then are transported to the top of the property. They will get a brief view of the Argo Tunnel then descend down through the Argo Mill. Afterwards, visitors pan for gold.
To visit Argo Mill and Tunnel on your holiday in Idaho Springs, and find out what else Idaho Springs has to offer, use our Idaho Springs.
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Argo Mill and Tunnel reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
1,373 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • This place is one you need to put on your to do list. Our tour guide, Eric, was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The mill is an amazing experience seeing all the old equipment....  more
    This place is one you need to put on your to do list. Our tour guide, Eric, was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The mill is an amazing experience seeing all the old equipment....  more »
  • This was such a fun tour! It was amazing to see and hear the history of the mine. My 6 and 8 year old twins loved it! And panning for gold at the end was a huge hit! 
    This was such a fun tour! It was amazing to see and hear the history of the mine. My 6 and 8 year old twins loved it! And panning for gold at the end was a huge hit!  more »
Google
  • We had a great tour by Kris and learned so much about the amazing history of Argo! We loved going through the Mill and seeing all that has been preserved over the years. The tour was an hour and starts with a quick informative video, then we moved through the outdoor area to the mill. You do have to climb 6 steep flights of stairs at one point but there is also an option to not go all the way up and sit on some benches if you can’t make it. The actual tunnel is very short but impressive! Make sure to bring cash to tip your tour guide! We really enjoyed ourselves and were so happy to have finally taken the tour as it’s been on our list. My only complaint is the gal working the desk inside acted as if we were annoying her by asking simple questions when we bought our ticket. Sorry, but you work in tourism and people have questions. Maybe if you are bothered by communicating with customers, this isn’t the industry for you.
  • Nick was our tour guide and knew the history well. Fairly priced for the experience you get. There are lots of stairs so be prepared with comfortable shoes. At the end of the tour you can pan for gold or jewel stones. If you’re not a patient person I’d recommend the jewels. The tour guides work for tips so please remember to bring cash. I’d also recommend that if you’re not from the mountains do this after a few days so you can get acclimated to the altitude. Drink plenty of water before and after you come.

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