Gold Bug Park & Mine — Local services in Placerville

Great little spot to visit or to take out-of-towners! Don't know why "bug" is in the name, there are no insects on display here, but lots of information on the gold rush and an actual mine you can walk into. I am slightly claustrophobic, but I did not have a problem with this mine, it's not too deep and fairly spacious!

You take the residential streets and end up here. I don't recall the exact price for the mine entrance, but everything is very reasonable. In fact, to rent a pan and sift through for gold and gems (they're planted), it only costs $2 an hour. You sift through a wooden trough with other prospectors hoping to strike it rich.I didn't find any gold, but found some quartz, calcite and some other stuff.

There is a large picnic area for groups and flushing toilets. Yay! The surrounding forest area is beautiful and it's just nice to be in nature.

The gift shop is reasonably priced. You can purchase different rocks, glass eggs ($3), rock candy ($1.25), postcards, books on rocks, maps, etc. I was chatting to the woman in the store and she said last year they had visitors from all 50 states and all over the world! She didn't know how people found...

Brought our 4th grade daughters to experience the gold mine since it’s a part of the history taught about California. The mine was a super cool experience even tho it is a short mine (you will probably only Spend 10-15 minutes inside). You listen to a pre-recorded audio as you slowly walk through which gives good info. It is very cold inside and wet so keep that in mind. The girls really enjoyed it!! Adults must wear a helmet as the mines ceilings are very low and you will hit your head if you’re not paying attention. The people working there were very nice and taught us a lot. Also, we visited the stampmill & blacksmith up the hill from the mine. A man I stampmill explained the process for getting from rock to the gold. The blacksmith showed us a demonstration to make a spoon from horseshoe nail. Pretty cool piece of history and the folks working there are really knowledgeable...

Took my son w/ disabilities here because I think it's the only mine shaft I have ever seen that's wheelchair accessible. The whole family had a blast. With the new COVID restrictions only one group is allowed in the mine at a time so that gave me free reign to take some really cool photos on BW Film posted below. Staff is friendly and very accommodating. Again if you have someone wheelchair bound that would like to do some simple spelunking this is the place to be because it's pretty ADA setup compared to any other places we have been. Very happy fun little place. It's good for 1 or two hours with kids and that's about it :) Check out the blacksmiths up the hill, that's also a really cool little setup they have up there. Highly recommended if you;re looking for a low key easy 1 or 2 hour trip with or without the...