Treadwell Mine Historic Trail — Attraction in Juneau

As a lifelong Juneauite, I thought I knew the Treadwell story pretty well—but this tour absolutely blew me away. Walking the historic trails with someone who can bring the ruins to life through stories, old photos, and little-known details was incredible. I’ve driven past that area for years without realizing just how much history is tucked into the woods and shoreline.

The guide did such a great job weaving together the human side of the mining days—the families, the culture, the sheer scale of what was once the largest gold mine in the world. Standing among the moss-covered foundations and picturing what it looked like 100+ years ago gave me a whole new appreciation for our community’s roots.

Even though I’ve lived here my whole life and my own family roots in Alaska stem from the Klondike, I left the tour feeling like I’d discovered something brand new in my own backyard. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, this is hands-down one of the best ways to experience Juneau’s history. I can’t...

This is a really great park. It's both an historical park with signage about the Treadwell Mine and a Frisbee golf course . The trails are wide and easily walkable. You can enter the park at the Sandy Beach entrance and the historical markers will start at marker #1, or you can go one street up and enter at Saint Anne's Avenue but there's very limited parking there and the 1st sign you'll reach is number 7. You can pick up a description of each of the stops and and a walking map that shows how they are all numbered at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, the Alaska State Museum, or the Perseverance Museum for $2. Ask for the walking tour map and historic guide to the Treadwell Mine Historic Trail. If you don't have the walking tour map then most although not all of the stops do have very informative signs that you can read along the trail. The historic trail is free and it is a...

If you’re into the history of abandoned places, this will be your thing. I felt like everywhere I walked or looked, there was just random pieces of rusted metal and machinery to be found, all of which tell a story. I only explored a little bit of the trail system, and managed to see so many different things. I learned a lot, and I’m eager to go back. What astonished me the most was finding hundreds of pieces of dining plates and china all over the beach, 100 years later. I couldn’t believe how much of this “community” still remained after all that time. Throw in the astounding beauty of the mountains and wildlife that surrounds, and you’ve got yourself one...