Las Vegas is one of the top vacation destinations for the United States. It may be famous for its gigantic, glitzy casino hotels and wide range of adult entertainment, but Las Vegas sits at the heart of the old Wild West, making it the perfect place to explore the region’s Old West.
One place to explore the Old West just outside of Las Vegas is the old silver and gold mines of Eldorado Canyon near the ghost town of Nelson. This is one of the most exciting tours anyone can take while visiting Las Vegas.
Mining carts for silver, gold and copper mines
Wild West gold and silver mines in El Dorado Canyon
eldorado canyon One of the canyons south of Las Vegas in Clark County, famous for its rich abandoned gold and silver mines. Gold and silver were discovered in 1857. Its remoteness from canyons and mines has made it one of the most lawless areas in the American West.
I don’t think anywhere else, in proportion to its population, had so many murders and criminals weren’t brought to justice or even arrested. John Riggs (Gold Miner)
At the time, El Dorado Canyon was part of the New Mexico Territory and, from 1865 to 1867, part of Mojave County in the Arizona Territory. There was also a US garrison at Camp El Dorado for several years in the 1860s to protect the mine from Paiute attacks.
During the Civil War, a mining boom heated up. A number of mining camps have been set up in the canyon over the years. 1862, Lucky Jim His camp was where Confederate sympathetic miners stayed, and a mile up the canyon was Buster Falls, where Union supporters lived . Visitors can imagine how tense the situation was.
A long lightening tunnel through a gypsum mine
In Arizona, the famous shootout at the OK Ranch in Tombstone was also a confrontation between two Confederate and Union factions. Today, Tombstone is he one of the best places to explore the Old West.
The Techatticup Mine Southern Nevada’s richest and oldest (but lawless) mine
The area is known as Nelson, but was originally called El Dorado by the Spaniards in 1775. The gold boom here in 1861 was his one of the greatest in Nevada history, attracting deserters from both the Union and Confederate armies (who hoped to be protected). at the time). by isolation from military authorities).
The Techhatticup mine was the oldest and richest gold mine found in southern Nevada. It operated for about 80 years from 1861 to 1942. For 40 years, the Colorado River was the primary means of access to this remote mine by steamboat.
The Techatticup Mine was particularly notorious, and killings were routine and a regular occurrence. Located in the middle of El Dorado Canyon, it has recently been transformed into a tourist attraction. The old mine is lit up and hosts guided tours of the abandoned mine.
Ghost Town Nelson, Nevada
Visitors can still see much of the old mining equipment that was abandoned there. One of the highlights of the tour is seeing a great example of drift mining.
Take an Eldorado Canyon Mine Tour just outside Las Vegas
there is Eldorado Canyon Mine Tour In an old abandoned mine. Explore the Techatticup Mine halfway through the Canyon (He is one of the oldest and most productive mines found in the Canyon). Just a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas. El Dorado Canyon Mine Tours are both above and below ground. Get a glimpse into the mining history of the area and the famous gold mines of southern Nevada.
During the tour, visitors will enjoy a walking tour of the old Techatticup Mine. The 1 hour 10 minute tour walks approximately 400m. Mine is very airy and cool. Visitors today can see quartz veins with gold and silver running through them.
- interval: about. 70 minutes
- price: $15.00 per adult (13+)
Tours must have a minimum of 4 adults and start at 9am, 12pm and 2pm. Reservations are required for this tour.
Old mining town of Eldorado in Eldorado Canyon
While you’re there, consider renting a kayak on the Historical Blue Water Cove Trip and keep an eye out for the famous Mojave Desert wildlife (bighorn sheep, eagles, coyotes, and more). Discover the ghost town of Nelson. Other opportunities include photo shoots, barbecue rentals, and wedding chapel rentals.
