Gold Panning in Juneau: Pan for Gold & Salmon Bake

Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin: Pan, Find Gold, Keep It

Pan for gold in Gold Creek near Juneau with a prospector guide, then attend an all-you-can-eat salmon bake at Gold Creek Salmon Bake featuring grilled Alaskan salmon and live music. The tour includes a historical walk through Juneau, gold panning instruction and equipment, transport to the bake, and a buffet with hot and cold beverages. You keep all the gold you find and receive a souvenir Gold Claim Certificate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gold panning and salmon bake in Juneau

• Historical tour of Juneau city
• Travel to Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin
• Learn and try gold panning near waterfall
• Explore mining relics and original buildings
• Transfer to Gold Creek Salmon Bake location
• Enjoy all-you-can-eat grilled Alaskan salmon
• Stroll along salmon-spawning creek
• Roast marshmallows by campfire
• Take photos at gold rush mural
• Visit Trading Post for souvenirs

The experience

Gold Creek sits in a secluded spot near a waterfall, accessible only to groups with the tour's special permit. A prospector guide walks you through the history first: Juneau itself was founded by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris after they struck gold here in 1880, and the Alaska-Juneau Mining Company became the largest operation of its kind in the world at peak production. You'll see the remnants of the original mining buildings still standing in the basin.

Then you pan for gold yourself, working the creek waters or a waist-high demonstration trough with tips from your guide. People of all ages and mobility levels can learn the technique, and you're guaranteed to find gold: whatever you pull from the pan is yours to keep. The prospector also gives you a souvenir Orelove Brothers Gold Claim Certificate to take home.

After the panning, a 20-minute shuttle takes you to Gold Creek Salmon Bake, set in a lush rainforest under heated, translucent domes. The all-you-can-eat spread centers on wild Alaskan salmon grilled over alder wood fire, with Cheechako Chicken as an alternative, plus Alaskan sides and blueberry cake for dessert. Live music plays while you eat, and you can take a short walk along a natural salmon-spawning creek to Salmon Creek Falls and the Wagner Mine entrance, where you can pan for gold again, roast marshmallows over a campfire, and pose at an interactive gold rush mural. Shuttle buses run regularly, so you can linger as long as you like.

What’s included

• All panning equipment.
• prospector guide in English.
• transport from Juneau to Gold Creek and to the salmon bake.
• all-you-can-eat buffet with grilled Alaskan salmon, chicken, sides and blueberry cake.
• hot and cold beverages.
• souvenir Gold Claim Certificate.
• access to the Wagner Mine and Salmon Creek Falls for additional panning and campfire activities.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 27 Apr 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Alaska Travel Adventures Inc.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with a group or family and want a full day that mixes hands-on gold panning with a sit-down meal. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean no separate logistics to arrange, and the prospector guide handles all instruction so no prior mining experience is needed.

Traveler reviews

4.29★★★★★★★★★★

73 verified traveler reviews

5 ★45

4 ★16

3 ★4

2 ★4

1 ★4

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Can I really keep the gold I find panning in Gold Creek?

Yes. You're guaranteed to find gold in Gold Creek, and all of it is yours to keep. You also receive a souvenir Gold Claim Certificate as a memento.

What is the Alaska-Juneau Mining Company, and will I see it on the tour?

The Alaska-Juneau Mining Company was the largest mining operation of its type in the world at the height of production. You'll see the remnants of its original buildings still standing in Last Chance Basin during the tour.

Is the salmon bake included, or do I pay extra for the meal?

The all-you-can-eat salmon bake is included in the tour price. The buffet features grilled Alaskan salmon, Cheechako Chicken, Alaskan sides, blueberry cake, and hot and cold beverages.

What happens if I'm not very fit or have mobility concerns?

Gold panning is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and you can work the pan in a waist-high demonstration trough if wading in the creek isn't comfortable. The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for rain and cold.

How much time do I have at the salmon bake?

Shuttle buses run regularly between the bake and the creek, so you set your own pace. You can stay as long as you like to eat, listen to live music, roast marshmallows, and explore Salmon Creek Falls and the Wagner Mine entrance.

Do I need to provide any information before booking if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

Yes. Cruise ship passengers must provide the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time at the time of booking so the tour can coordinate your pickup and return.