Last Chance Mine: Underground Tours, Museums, Gift Shop

719-347-1911 May 27-October 15 from 10am to 5pm

1891 Silver Camp -- Rocks and Mineral Collecting -- Underground Mine Tours -- Three Museum Cabins -- Gift Shop with Custom Jewelry in Historic Cabin -- Along the Bachelor Loop Historic Driving Tour

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Rock Collecting Site - Open to the Public
THE LAST CHANCE MINE

HISTORY: The LAST CHANCE MINE was the last major silver strike in Colorado. In 1889, Ralph Granger and Eric Von Buddenbrock grubstaked Theodore Renninger who discovered the silver. The Granger family became the sole owner until Jack Morris bought the mine in 1998. Three years later Jack began restoring the mine. Restoration is ongoing with new tours and museums.

ATTRACTIONS: Three museums on site: one has the largest known private collection of kerosene lamps in the United States; a rock and mineral collections with photo gallery; and a mining equipment and artifacts collection in a third historic structure. Three tunnel tours with 2 more are being added during the summer 2022. An outdoor rough rock gift shop. Rock collecting areas for beginners and the more experienced and agile collectors. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day at Last Chance Mine; we'll keep your family busy and having fun.

The Last Chance Mine -- 30 Miles of Tunnels -- 13 Levels -- 5 Tunnels -- Collect Beautiful Minerals

Visit Creede's Only Mine with Veins Containing Amethyst, Sowbelly Agate, and Silver

ROCK HOUNDS-ROCK HUNTING: Collect beautiful minerals, Sowbelly Agate, found only in the Creede mining district! Rare turquoise, galena, zinc, sphalerite, pink rhodonite, native silver, chalcopyrite, copper, red jasper, pyrite, black manganese coated amethyst crystals, amethyst crystal plates, druzy amethyst, cerussite, and galena ferrous silver.

KEEP WHAT YOU FIND FOR $2 PER POUND in the Public Collecting Area for mine minerals. We are the best rock site and shop within 200 miles for rocks, minerals, and fossils from around the world.

PRESERVATION and RESTORATION: The original floor plans are followed as closely as possible; allowing for safety and ease of access. In 2011, the Nancy Granger Schallen Museum opened with displays of rocks, minerals and historic photographs; in a second historic structure see mining equipment and artifacts from 1891 to 1949. See the largest kerosene lamp collection (over 100) in the USA; we have found no larger private collection. Preserving Colorado's mining roots, is our passion.

TOURS: The Last Chance Mine has 13 levels with 30 miles of tunnels. You will experience what it is truly like to be deep underground, inside a silver mine. You will be treated to a narrated tour of the Last Chance Mine's historic past and learn about its' geology and see it firsthand. This is only mine, in Creede, where you can see the Amethyst Vein containing amethyst, sowbelly agate, and silver. The 30 minute tour departs from the mine's gift shop beginning at 10:30am; reservations are not necessary. The last tour departs at 4:30pm.

SCHOOL GROUPS: Pre-Book a tour with us before you arrive for a Free tour for your Staff and Students. PLEASE NOTE if you collect minerals and fossils there is a cost for those items, and it is separate.

If you are a registered law enforcement officer/personnel with credentials, we will happily donate a tour to you; we appreciate the work you do daily to keep our communities safe.

GEOCACHE: There is a Geocache hidden at the Last Chance Mine! Come by and see if you can find it! Latitude: 37.891874 Longitude: 106.942093

LAST CHANCE MINE STORE: Jewelry, created by Jack Morris, using amethyst, sowbelly agate, turquoise, silver ore from the mine; plus rocks; minerals; and clothing are available.

MEETING AREAS: 3 meeting spaces, partially enclosed with seating areas.

OPEN: Memorial Day weekend through early-October: Museum and Gift Shop hours 10am-5pm; and mine tours begin at 10:30am and our last tour begins 4:30pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

LOCATION: The Mine is 20 minutes (6 miles) north of Creede, Colorado just off the Bachelor Loop Tour Route. In town on Highway 149 turn west onto East 7th Street to South Main Street where you will left (south); in a quarter mile turn right (west) onto Bachelor Road for just under 6 miles. Last Chance Road is a sharp right up the mountain; there will be signs to follow. The Creede Chamber of Commerce has additional information and a map to Last Chance Mine.

ADDRESS: 504 Last Chance Mine Road, Creede CO 81130

PHONE: 719-347-1911 use May 27th - October 15th from 10am to 5pm; 719-394-8017 evening; please leave a message; and our off-season (mid-October till May) number is 719-238-7959 -- For Current Tour Information; Directions: mention the Colorado Vacation Directory.

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