Crystal Gold Mine, Underground gold mine in Shoshone County, Idaho.
Crystal Gold Mine is an underground mine in Shoshone County, Idaho, that takes visitors through passages with exposed gold deposits and silver within quartz veins visible along the walls. The tunnels reveal mineral formations built up over geological time through natural processes.
The mine was first discovered in 1879 by prospector Tom Irwin, but its entrance was hidden away for decades until being rediscovered in 1991. This finding brought the site back to public attention and allowed it to reopen for visitors.
Mining shaped the identity of this region, and the equipment on display shows how workers extracted ore from the earth using simple hand tools and physical strength.
Guided tours run daily, and it is helpful to wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket since underground passages stay cool year-round. Parking facilities including RV spaces are available on the property.
The walls are covered with multicolored mineral crystals and stalactites that formed naturally over time without human intervention. These formations give the underground spaces a shimmer that many visitors find surprising.
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