Chollar Mine Tour — Attraction in Dayton

Chollar Mine Tour – A Glimpse into the Golden Age of Virginia City

Recommended by locals, I made my way to the Chollar Mine, once the 5th largest mine during the 19th-century Gold Rush era. In its prime, it yielded an overwhelming amount of gold—worth millions of dollars then and easily billions in today’s value.

Scattered across the grounds are authentic mining tools, giving visitors a sense of the equipment used back in the day. One highlight was the rock smasher, which the staff explained in detail. From the start, John and Gary gave me a warm welcome and patiently answered all my questions.

Before we entered the mine, Gary provided a fascinating introduction to its history and operations—explaining how miners worked in 8-hour shifts, the intense conditions they faced underground, and how they coped with the heat from the geothermal groundwater.

Equipped with a helmet, I followed the narrow tunnels where the ceiling is low enough to give you a bump if you’re not careful. Along the old rail tracks used for transporting minerals, Gary demonstrated the rope-and-pulley system, drilling tools, and even how miners once relied on rats and candles to test air quality inside the mine. He also pointed out the split line in the rock that marked different mining outputs, giving a vivid sense of how geologists identified the veins. To make the experience more tactile, he even handed me some clay samples from the mine, so I could literally feel the earth that once hid so much gold.

Unfortunately, visitors cannot go as deep into the mine as I had hoped—I wanted to experience the underground heat myself—but for safety reasons, the tour is limited. The cave can be slippery, and you’ll often need to bend down to avoid injury.

After the tour, Gary enthusiastically offered to take photos for guests, adding a personal touch to the visit. Beyond the tour itself, I learned that John now owns the mine, while Gary has written a novel that brings Virginia City’s Golden Age to life.

Final Thoughts The Chollar Mine Tour is more than just a history lesson—it’s an immersive journey into the life of 19th-century miners. Thanks to the passion and effort of John and Gary, visitors can better appreciate the challenges, ingenuity, and culture of Virginia City’s...

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and the great history shared by Andre, our tour guide. We had visited a museum in Reno a few days before which provided a good overview but was no match for seeing the mine and learning how it operates up close and personal. Walking down into the mine, you do need to be prepared for a few narrower spots and I highly recommend the hard hat because the overhead is a bit low and you will likely need to bend down in several spots. At 6' 3" I had to walk bent down (still an easy walk) until we got to the end pocket (less than 5 minutes walk) but you will be able to stand up all the way or sit on one of the benches once you get to the end pocket. Once there, we really got to learn the history of the mine, how mines operated, different roles of the miners and the tools used.

Andre was great and provided a very thorough history experience from the beginning to the end and really brought Virginia City to life. I would highly recommend this tour.

Depending on your time of arrival, you may need to wait outside the gate if he is already giving a tour, but the wait is worth it. The tour took about a total of 45 minutes. Also, the tour is cash only, so be sure to bring cash along.

I would put this as a must do if you go to...

Fascinating opportunity to explore an authentic section of the Chollar Mine and see the actual tools, techniques, and practices of the miners during the period when the Comstock Lode was at its peak. Both the owner and guide were extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Comstock, Virginia City, and what working in the mine really felt like. Absolutely the best part is getting to go pretty far inside one of the original tunnels, complete with square-set timber framing still holding things up. The tunnel (technically an adit?) has been kept very close to its original condition and other than a few lights and fans, it hasn’t been “prettied up,” which I loved, because I wanted to see the original.

With that in mind, that part of the tour might be challenging for folks with claustrophobia or with mobility issues, as it involves low ceilings and uneven footing, just like the miners dealt with.. A nearby office is a treasure trove of tools and equipment from the period—everything from pneumatic drills, water wheels, and hoist wheels to food tins, carbide lamps, and the world’s heaviest portapotty for the miners of the mid-1800s. Fantastic and...