Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures

40016 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Hours

Sunday - Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cost

Visiting is free, but the activities come with a cost. There are too many to list here, so we'll include a sample to give you an idea of what to expect:

  • Digging for fossils: FREE
  • Ghost Town Gold Panning: $69-129
  • Indy's Amazing Adventures (geode/crystals): $139
  • Panning for gemstones and crystals: $44-139

Prices are subject to change; check their website for up-to-date costs.

About

Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures is perfect for all ages to explore and discover gold and gemstones. Whether you're a kid or an adult, you'll have a blast panning like the pioneers or cracking a geode like a geologist!

They offer various mining experiences, such as traditional gold panning. They also offer gemstone panning, where you can discover beautiful stones like amethyst, quartz, and topaz.

You can also dig for fossils, harvest pearls, and explore caves to learn about geology and mining. A bonus is taking home the treasures you unearth, beginning a new hobby, or starting a collection.

Mining themes include Pirates, Mermaids, Sharks, Dinosaurs, Cosmic, Minecraft, and Egyptian! With so many adventures and packages to consider, your biggest challenge will be deciding which to do!

One of the most exciting parts about Gold Rush Mining Adventures is you'll get to experience the thrill of finding a real treasure! Their friendly staff provides all the necessary tools and supplies for your mining adventure.

The gift shop sells rocks, crystals, and minerals from all over the world, along with other gifts. Even if you decide not to pan, you can purchase minerals for friends and family back home.

Additionally, it is close to other Big Bear Lake attractions, making planning multiple adventures doable. After panning for gold, sign up for a cruise with the Big Bear Queen Lake Tour or climb into the mountains on the Castle Rock Trail.

Gold Rush Mining Adventure promises an amazing adventure on your Big Bear getaway.

Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures: Fun Facts & Cool Features

From panning for gems and gold to digging for fossils and cracking geodes, the Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures has something for everyone.

A fun fact about panning for gold is you will use Ghost Town Gold Pay Dirt. It has been hand-gathered from gold mining districts. It yields 200% more gold than commercially sold pay dirt. While no one can promise you'll find gold, the quality of the pay dirt increases your odds.

Like panning for gold, gemstone and crystal panning feature a special blend of gemstones, crystals, and fossils sourced worldwide. These are combined with mining dirt to represent each different theme offered. You may unearth rough and tumbled semi-precious gems, crystal points, arrowheads, shells, and fossils.

Geodes are sourced from geode caves and come from many destinations worldwide. Since numerous minerals could accumulate within the geode, you only know what's inside once it's opened. While you can take your geode home to crack, they have a machine that makes the process safe and simple. Once open, you'll discover a crystal world that is unique and beautiful.

Gold Rush Mining Company can host parties and events and offers themed adventures suitable for all ages. It is also close to some of the area's top restaurants. Grab breakfast before excavating or panning at Country Kitchen Restaurant, or celebrate your bounty of treasure with a meal at Fire Rock Burgers & Brews.

When your vacation calls for an exciting adventure suitable for all ages, look no further than Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures!

Getting There

Here are directions to Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures when staying at Big Bear Lake:

  • Start on Village Drive heading south.
  • Continue onto Pine Knot Avenue.
  • Turn right onto CA-18/Big Bear Boulevard.
  • Travel approximately 5.5 miles on CA-18/Big Bear Boulevard.
  • Turn left onto CA-38.
  • Continue straight for about 0.4 miles.
  • Turn right onto Rainbow Boulevard.
  • Address: 40016 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Local Tips

  • Arrive early since this is a first come, first served attraction.
  • They have plenty of outdoor seating areas for a picnic.
  • Visit the gift shop for unique items sourced from their own facility!
  • Wear comfortable shoes to take advantage of all that this adventure has to offer!

Location

40016 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Frequently Asked Questions

As a popular drive-to destination, there are three main routes leading to Big Bear: Highways 330, 38, and 18. Driving distance to Big Bear, CA from major hubs: Los Angeles (105 miles), San Diego (155 miles), Palm Springs (90 miles), and Las Vegas, NV (210 miles). Big Bear is also about an 8-hour drive from San Francisco.

Flying? The most common California airports to get to Big Bear are LAX (Los Angeles), Ontario International (ONT), Palm Springs, or the John Wayne Airport in Orange County. A small airport in Big Bear is also available for private planes.

As a four-season destination, there is always something to enjoy in Big Bear. With that said, the busiest times are definitely ski season (from about late November or mid-December through mid-March) and summer months between Memorial Day to Labor Day. Skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions for winter, while outdoor adventures in and around Big Bear Lake are high points throughout the summer.

Spring and fall are equally as welcoming in Big Bear, particularly for those looking to avoid bigger crowds. Additionally, spring and fall are peak fishing seasons for rainbow trout.

Big Bear is home to a variety of annual events and festivals, not to mention the best Oktoberfest in the Western U.S. Some of the traditional highlights include:

  • Oktoberfest: A popular fall tradition for over 50 years that combines German traditions and Big Bear’s mountain landscape into a frenzy of music, food, and drinks. Prost!
  • Big Bear Maifest: Yet another celebration of beer, food, and music set in the fabulous spring, generally late May.
  • Big Bear Run: A two-day dual sport motorcycle tour of the mountains surrounding beautiful Big Bear Lake, running motors for over 30 years.
  • Tour de Big Bear: This late summer two-day cycling event is one of Southern California’s favorite rides
  • Annual Bald Eagle Count: An annual event for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts to observe bald eagles during their wintering period.
More questions

More questions?

Feel free to send us an email with any and all questions you might have regarding the start of a Casago Franchise!

We'd love to help answer your questions!