Denali Gold Tours
Denali Gold Tours
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Join us on a scenic off-road tour down the historical corridor of Petersville Road, visit Trapper Creek Museum and learn to pan for gold! This is a family friendly experience narrated by life long Alaskan Richard Humphrey, who has turned his passion for Alaska into a fun and educational tour that you can book for 4 or 8 hours. Tours run 7 days a week May 15th to September 15th, by appointment.
Trapper Creek, United States
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
117 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
KeriD
Melbourne, FL58 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Richard was not only entertaining, but he was so knowledgeable about Alaska, the local culture (because he is part of it), and the history and procedure for gold panning. Our family trip consisted of 4 adults, 2 teens, 2 preteens, and a 6 year old and every single one of us enjoyed it beyond our imagination! We were so lucky to also see a momma moose and her babies and a porcupine along the way! Could have asked for a better or more authentic-feeling experience!
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald M
Kingwood, TX86 contributions
Jun 2022
We had a party of 7 consisting of a 10, 11, and 12 year old, 2 40somethings, and 2 70 year olds. Richard was so cool. He was great with the kids. Very patient. It was great to get to know a true alaskan, and he was a pleasure to talk to. Gave a great history of the area. And we found gold, and saw moose. Highly recommended, as this was one of the coolest things we did on our 10 day trip. We like hands on adventure, and this was cool. The water was cold even through the rubber boots, and having 2 pars of socks on would have helped. You start by meeting him at his place, and he gives you knee high rubber boots, and takes you to the river, telling you cool stories about the area. Then he teaches you how to pan for gold. Then grills up some reindeer sausages when you get back to his place. Highly recommended.
Written 22 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirk G
2 contributions
Aug 2022
We just finished our Gold Tour and I can not say enough good about it! We arrived early to be met by Richard and his two pups, Duke and Luke! Richard was great as he got us fitted for our boots and gave us an idea of what we would be doing.
Then we got to meet Bart who led our tour. He was fantastic! The drive back to the creek was a blast as we learned about the area and panning and thankfully we were there on the perfect day to see the south side of Denali (far better than the look out points on the highway).
When we arrived at the creek, Bart showed us what to do and we started panning immediately. It was so much fun to be out in the river prospecting (it also helped that we found gold in every pan)!
The hours on the river sped by quickly and then we packed up and headed back where we were once again met by Richard, Duke and Luke for some delicious reindeer dogs!
It truly was a wonderful experience, I can not recommend it enough!
Then we got to meet Bart who led our tour. He was fantastic! The drive back to the creek was a blast as we learned about the area and panning and thankfully we were there on the perfect day to see the south side of Denali (far better than the look out points on the highway).
When we arrived at the creek, Bart showed us what to do and we started panning immediately. It was so much fun to be out in the river prospecting (it also helped that we found gold in every pan)!
The hours on the river sped by quickly and then we packed up and headed back where we were once again met by Richard, Duke and Luke for some delicious reindeer dogs!
It truly was a wonderful experience, I can not recommend it enough!
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoPlaces38638762147
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Family
Wow, where do I even begin. Let’s see, *scratches head* when he first picked us up from the lodge I was like “WOW” this guy has the coolest and shiniest belt I’ve ever seen with nice rubber boots and some quality jeans, who would have thought our gold panning expert would be soo stylish! He proceeded to load us into his sleek vintage white van and we headed to his very own humble abode, which he built himself btw. We exchanged our shoes for some high quality boots much like the ones Richard, his name is Richard btw, fashioned. I felt welcomed knowing that Richard not only trusted us around his house but also with his apparel. When then hop back in the van and we drove to his secret, wink wink, spot on Trapper Creek. Obviously, I cant tell you where this location is, but “my oh my” what a lovely location is was! One thing I can certainly say is Richard knows his stuff, he wonderfully demonstrated his expert gold panning knowledge on how to dig and more importantly properly pan to acquire the precious element we call Gold. Richard’s gold panning excursion is extraordinarily unique because it is authentic!!!! There is no fake or “Hollywood” as Richard put it, what a funny guy he was, only real gold, real panning, in the real Alaska outdoors. What a magnificent experience it was, I could not recommend this experience enough even if I lived 2 lifetimes! P.S. we got to go back to eat his yummy/famous reindeer dogs (aka reindeer hotdogs) with his too friendly loving dogs. Man I wish everyone had a friend like Richard, he is the MAN.
Written 14 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John M
5 contributions
Jul 2022
We did a tour with Rich for our Honeymoon and had an absolute blast. Rich was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Alaska and gold mining. We got to see a part of Alaska that many people will truly never experience. We even had a chance to see a female moose and her little calf running alongside the street. Rich is a great, funny guy...we haven't laughed that long in ages! And the reindeer dogs at the end were delicious. Thank you very much for some awesome memories, Rich! - John & Kimberly
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer V
Chicago, IL1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Family
Richard’s experiences and knowledge about Alaska and gold panning are fantastic. When doing this tour you really get to know and experience Alaska in its natural beauty. From the moment you arrive until enjoying reindeer dogs after panning, Richard makes you feel welcomed. My family had a wonderful time. Our son would have panned all day with Richard if we would have let him! This definitely is an experience you do not want to miss.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
Philadelphia, PA1 contribution
May 2022
My adult son and I had a wonderful gold panning trip! Richard, the owner spent 4 hours giving us an incredible scenic tour to the gold panning spot along with a full and rich history, then he taught us how to pan gold, and we were successful! He also stopped on the way back to allow for picture taking in terrific spots. Upon return, we were treated to big “reindeer dogs”(enormous hot dogs, chips and refreshments), more history about the area, and got to meet his very friendly, warm dogs who joined us. A great trip! I highly recommend!
Written 31 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice
4 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This was very fun and authentic. Rich brought us to a creek and showed us how to dig up part of the riverbank and pan for gold which each person was able to find. This was a truly Alaskan experience. He shared lots of local lore, we saw moose and Denali as we travelled down backroads, and finished up with Reindeer sausage while sitting along the creek.
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen L
5 contributions
Jun 2022
We found Richard to be a great host. His knowledge of the area and sharing the history of the settlement was as enjoyable as panning for gold. His adventure was genuine. He showed us how to prospect for gold in a river. He took his time with us and felt very comfortable in the wilderness. He cooked reindeer hot dogs for us afterwards at his homestead and it was the perfect way to end our day in the wilderness with him. I highly recommend this trip. It was genuine. He's the real thing.
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mona T
Ashland, KY5 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This was a wonderful tour! Rich was a fabulous host and guide … plus an encouraging and helpful coach of the panning process. I’m not an outdoorsy kind of girl - so I had some concerns about being able to do the panning. Those concerns were unfounded - the walk from the van to the creek was easy and the shovel made a great walking stick. As enjoyable as the gold panning was- listening to Rich talk about the land and the community of Trapper Creek and life off the grid was even more enjoyable. It was fascinating. You won’t regret booking with Denali Gold Tours!
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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