Mining cars, railroad lines, train repair sheds, and other artifacts tell the story of Juneau’s Gold Rush history at the Last Chance Mining Museum and Historic Park. The collection is housed in the former compressor building of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company, which operated here from 1916 to 1944. Old mining shafts surround the site.
Gold mining was an influential factor in Juneau’s history, and a visit to this museum offers an entertaining overview for first-time visitors. After a visit to the museum, travelers should consider a gold panning tour to Gold Creek (where gold was first discovered in Juneau) and the Last Chance Basin for a hands-on lesson in the hunt for gold. Many of these tours include a traditional Alaskan salmon bake for lunch or dinner for a quintessentially Alaskan day out.
The Last Chance Mining Museum is on the outskirts of Juneau, on the city’s eastern edge. There’s a short uphill hike along an uneven trail to reach the museum’s entrance.
The museum is open daily from mid-May to late September and by appointment during the rest of the year. Try to visit on a clear day, as the site has plenty of outdoor areas to explore.
The trailhead for the Perseverance Trail is situated near the museum grounds. This trail leads up to Silverbow Basin, and interpretive signs along the way highlight facts from Juneau’s mining history.
