The Broken Boot Gold Mine was established in 1878 in the early days of the Deadwood rush, and it is one of the places where visitors can step underground into the history that built the town. The mine produced a small amount of gold and a much larger amount of iron pyrite, better known as fool's gold, a detail that makes it a fitting symbol of the boom: plenty of hopeful digging, a lot of glitter, and not as much real wealth as the legends suggest. A guided tour takes you into the workings and explains how the tunnels were driven, what the miners were looking for and how they lived with the risks. For many visitors the mine is the highlight for kids and anyone who wants a physical sense of the history. The temperature, the low ceilings, the rock walls and the guide's stories do more to explain the work than a museum label can. The Deadwood tourism board even produces a kids' worksheet booklet for the site, which tells you something about how family-oriented the experience is. It is a good counterpoint to the casino and saloon side of Deadwood, grounding the town in the hard rock that created it.
Expect a short, guided visit rather than a long expedition. The tour is designed to be accessible, to run on a regular schedule in season and to finish in well under two hours including the walk in and out. Because the mine is a seasonal attraction, it typically operates in the warmer months and closes in the early fall, so confirm its dates before you plan a trip around it. A light jacket is a good idea even in summer, since underground temperatures stay cool.
Footwear and mobility are worth a thought. The workings are underground and the floor can be uneven or damp, so closed shoes with grip are best. Guides generally ask visitors to keep groups together and follow safety instructions, and the experience is not designed for people who have trouble with low ceilings or confined spaces. Children usually do well as long as they are comfortable with a dark, cool, enclosed environment.
Pair the mine with the museums to get the whole story. The Adams Museum gives the timeline, the Days of '76 Museum gives the artifacts, and Mount Moriah Cemetery gives the human cost, while the Broken Boot lets you feel the work itself. Another good pairing is the Black Hills Mining Museum in nearby Lead, which has its own recreated underground mine and shows the larger industrial mining story that followed the placer rush.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking tour into a historic 1878 gold mine near downtown Deadwood.
Best time
Summer for full operation; a hot day when the cool air underground is a bonus.
How long
About an hour including the walk in and out.
Tips
Wear closed shoes and bring a light layer. Check seasonal dates and tour times, and ask about the kids' worksheet.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and anyone who wants a physical sense of what mining meant in the 1870s.
- Families
- One of the best family stops in town, as long as kids are comfortable in a dark, cool tunnel.
- Couples
- A short, quirky stop that breaks up the museum sequence.
- Pair with
- The Adams Museum and the Black Hills Mining Museum in Lead.
- Time needed
- An hour plus travel time.
Good questions
When was the Broken Boot Gold Mine established?+
In 1878, early in the Deadwood gold rush.
Did it produce much gold?+
It produced a small amount of gold and a larger amount of iron pyrite, or fool's gold.
Is it suitable for children?+
Generally yes, and the Deadwood tourism board offers a kids' worksheet booklet for the site. It is cool, dark and enclosed, so check your child is comfortable.
Is it open all year?+
It is a seasonal attraction that typically runs in the warmer months and closes in the early fall. Confirm dates before you plan around it.
What should I wear?+
Closed shoes with grip and a light jacket, since the mine stays cool even in summer.
