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Walk ins are always welcome on the same day, if you have any questions just stop in or call.
Please note our online booking software does not book same day tours and panning.

Welcome To

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Keystone, SD Weather

Experience the Black Hills Gold Rush legend ...

Miner

… that is Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, South Dakota! Nowhere else will you find such a great variety of family-friendly activities in the Black Hills. From touring our historic gold mine with our trained tour guides to trying your luck in our on-site panning, we’ve got something for everyone. Looking to put your luck to the test? Join our team in the Black Hills wilderness, panning by historic Battle Creek like the miners once did on a Claim Panning Adventure. No matter your appetite for adventure, Big Thunder Gold Mine is a top Black Hills Attraction and the place to be on your next Black Hills vacation.

Distinguished as a South Dakota Great Place to visit and recipient of the esteemed George S. Mickelson Award for excellence in customer service, our affordable activities and dining offer visitors of all ages the opportunity to experience Black Hills history like never before.

A person wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat reaches into a water-filled trough while on-site gold panning at Big Thunder Gold Mine.
A boy dips a muddy rock into a bucket of water at Big Thunder Gold Mine while gold panning
Young boy with green hair sitting on a wooden floor next to a large black dog at Big Thunder Gold Mine
Close up detailed image of a gold nugget.
Logo with proud to be pet friendly with a dog paw icon in the middle
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Testimonials

Happy Customers

Miner
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Erin Verdugo
0 days ago
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We really enjoyed our tour at Big Thunder Gold Mine, our tour guide was super knowledgeable and friendly. I recommend checking it out if you're into local history and wanna pan for some gold.
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Katie
1 days ago
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Fun experience!
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Keith Waldbillig
4 days ago
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Great food Great service Wonderful local spot
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A C
5 days ago
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Our family had a fantastic experience visiting the Big Thunder Good Mine. Started with a patient and kind teacher showing us newbies how to pan for gold (everyone left with some). The tour of the mine was fun and informative. Our tour guide Rich was excellent! Our kids are 13 and 17 and they both had a great time. Also had little ones in our tour group and they were having fun tio
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Danielle Belle
5 days ago
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I had a great experience here. We started with the tour, and our guide Justin was excellent. It's a fascinating history! Then we panned for gold. The employees gave helpful instructions to be successful, and we found a few flakes and some small gemstones.
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Molly Doughty
8 days ago
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Yvonne Idar
9 days ago
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Tour by Agustice(sp)was clear and informative.
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Thepcgamer
9 days ago
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The Urban Farmhouse
10 days ago
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Cool atmosphere, very immersion. At least 3 gold flakes are guaranteed in your pan. The staff member was attentive and explained the process of gold panning well.
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Frank Koricic
13 days ago
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intage 1920 photo of the Holy Terror Mine crew standing in front of the historic wooden mill building at Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, South Dakota.
Close up detailed image of a gold nugget.
Vintage black and white photo of a 1890s pit pony pulling a coal ore cart underground with a miner, showcasing Black Hills gold rush history.

A History Lesson Over 130
Years in the Making

Miner

Discovered by two German immigrant miners in 1892, Big Thunder Gold Mine is
an ode to the rich mining history of the beautiful Black Hills region. Still standing
in near perfect condition today, Big Thunder Gold Mine offers visitors of all ages
and abilities an opportunity to explore our mine alongside trained tour guides
who are well-versed on the unique history of the mine, the Black Hills Gold Rush,
and so much more. As the safest and most maintained mine in the Keystone, SD
mining district, Big Thunder Gold Mine still contains many indigenous rocks,
structures, and minerals today.

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Our Story

Miner
Big Thunder Gold Mine has served as a mecca for fun, adventure, and education for
countless visitors over the last several decades, but has evolved to the mega
attraction it is today since the McLain family purchased the Mine back in 1993. Today,
Big Thunder Gold Mine is a must-see attraction on any vacation to the Black Hills
thanks to our superb customer service, affordable value, and commitment to offering
an authentic step back in time to the days of the Black Hills Gold Rush.
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