Goldbottom is a working family placer mining operation south of Dawson on Hunker Creek, and its tours are one of the best ways to try gold panning in the Klondike. The tour runs about three to three and a half hours, with departures in the morning and early afternoon from Front Street, and transport from Dawson is included. You see how placer mining works, hear the stories of the creek and learn to pan for gold, keeping what you find. If you are short on time, you can also pan in town for a flat fee per pan, with gold guaranteed. The tours run from mid-May to mid-September depending on weather, so this is a summer activity, and the Front Street office is closed from early September until early May.
Season and size matter here. The company says tours run mid-May to mid-September depending on weather, with no exact 2026 dates published on its site, and the office is closed from early September until early May. A tour needs at least four people, though groups often sign up the day before or the day of. Contact the company before you rely on a particular day. In November nothing is running, so this belongs in a summer plan.
A tour goes out to the mine on Hunker Creek Road, about 15 kilometres from the start of the road, and takes three to three and a half hours depending on road conditions. Adult and youth prices are posted on the company's site, with transport from Front Street included. Plan for outdoor time: dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear and bring insect repellent, and dry clothes for children, because panning is wet.
If you do not have time for a full tour, the town panning option at the Front Street office is a simple, fixed-price alternative. It is quick and ideal for a first try, and it makes a good rainy-day stop between museum visits. Booking is by email, phone or text, and email is the best option in the off season. Combine panning with Dredge No. 4 and the Discovery Claim for a complete picture of how the Klondike produced gold, from hand pans to giant machines.
What to expect
The experience
A guided placer mining tour on Hunker Creek with gold panning, plus an optional quick pan in town.
Best time
Mid-May to mid-September, with morning and early afternoon departures.
How long
About three to three and a half hours for the tour, and much less for a town pan.
Tips
Contact the company in advance, dress for outdoor weather, bring insect repellent and dry clothes for children, and expect a four-person minimum.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants to try gold panning and hear about placer mining from a working operator.
- Families
- A popular activity for children, who enjoy finding gold, though they will get wet.
- Couples
- A relaxed, hands-on afternoon with a good story at the end.
- Pair with
- Dredge No. 4 and the Discovery Claim to see the big-machine side of the goldfields.
- Time needed
- Half a day for the tour, or about half an hour for a town pan.
Good questions
When does Goldbottom run?+
The company says mid-May to mid-September, depending on weather. Nothing runs in November, so contact them in spring for exact dates.
Is gold guaranteed?+
The company says gold is guaranteed in its town panning, and you keep what you find. Tour panning is also hands-on.
How long is the tour?+
The tour takes about three to three and a half hours, depending mostly on road conditions.
How do I get there?+
Tours depart from the company's Front Street office in Dawson, and transport to the mine is included.
Do I need a group?+
Tours need at least four people, though the company says people often sign up the day before or the day of.
