menu search

Posted in Wyoming Attractions August 16, 2021 by Kim Magaraci

Explore An Old Gold Mine Below The Surface On This Lantern Tour In Wyoming

South Pass City is a truly historic town. It was once a bustling gold mining town, home to a huge hotel, restaurant, and even Wyoming’s very first serial killer, before fading out after a mining bust into an abandoned collection of buildings in Fremont County. The town became a dilapidated ghost town, but luckily, some residents stepped up to ensure its preservation. Today, you can visit the South Pass Historic Site and take a tour of the town’s famous gold mine!

South Pass City was one of the most famous mining towns in the Rockies, and today, the South Pass City State Historic Site pays tribute to the town's past.

You can explore restored buildings...

and even pan for gold! Visit during the town's Gold Rush Days festival for a true time traveling experience.

The most popular attraction in town is, of course, the mine. The Carissa Mine drew prospectors from all over for a chance at striking gold.

After much restoration, the Carissa was opened for tours, so you can see what it was like to work underground, mining for precious metals.

You can tour the Carissa Mine Thursday through Sunday, and their tour season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tours run at 2 p.m., and reservations are highly recommended.

South Pass City even offers limited lantern tours, which are the most fascinating way to see the mine.

The tour takes you through the English Tunnel, where your guide will tell you all about the history of this once-promising mining operation.

Come spend some time in the 1800s when you visit South Pass City's Carissa Mine!

For information on the tours offered, and to make a reservation online, visit the South Pass City website here.

Address: Carissa Mine, Wyoming 82520, USA

Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com