Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine

The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is a historic attraction located in the mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. It is one of the only locations in the Pikes Peak region that allows you to descend into a real mine! You will discover amazing feats of human engineering as you descend 1,000 feet underground just as the gold miners once did. Once in the mine, you will get a close-up look at how they pulled precious gold ore from deep beneath the Rocky Mountains.

Discovered in 1891, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine was the first claim to be struck by a woman in the Cripple Creek and Victor gold camp. Mollie Kathleen’s claim was a true rarity in those days. The mine produced gold for decades, until a lack of ore processing methods in the region made mining too difficult. Today, the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine operates as a tour mine, allowing visitors to learn about mining, geology and Colorado’s early gold rush days.

The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour

Your exciting tour of this authentic gold mine begins with a 100-story ride in a specialty elevator. You will travel deep below the surface of the earth. You will be provided with a hard hat to ensure maximum safety as you are led through the mine by knowledgeable tour guides. During your tour, you will learn all about the history of the gold mine and the early gold rush years in Colorado.

As part of the tour, you will also view real gold veins in their natural state, check out a mineral display and examine mining equipment from many different eras. The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine operated for decades and adapted through many mining processes. That means there are lots of different artifacts on display. You’ll also get to ride in an underground tram air locomotive!

Above ground, you will find even more historic equipment and outbuildings to explore, plus a cool gift shop with fun souvenirs. For the rock collectors in your life, the shop sells a variety of minerals, jewelry and, of course, gold!

The next time you make your way to Cripple Creek, tour a real mine and learn Colorado gold rush history at the unique and fascinating Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine.