Final demonstration of the Arizona Gold Mining Experience for the 2024 season set for May 11 | Things To Do

Cave Creek Museum will hold the final Arizona Gold Mining Experience demonstration of the 2024 season on Saturday, May 11.

Admission to the final Arizona Gold Mining Experience of the season is $15 for adults and children under 12 are free. The full mining demonstration will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 9-11 a.m. Reservations are required. 

During the event, the excitement builds with the operation of the amazing Golden Reef Stamp Mill and Tramway, Arizona’s only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill. 

The stamp mill was brought from its former location at the Golden Reef Mine on Continental Mountain to Cave Creek Museum, which has the only fully operational mining stamp mill in its original mining district in Arizona; it is located just five miles from its site on the mountain. 

The giant stamp mill also is connected to a working tramway and ore carts that carry the ore to be pulverized to the stamp mill.

The experience continues as guests peer into a mineshaft to show the blasting techniques used by hard rock miners. Next, onto the blacksmith shop for a demonstration of the many skills used when parts and tools had to be fabricated on site.

Guests are then encouraged to try their luck at the gold panning station where museum volunteers show visitors how to pan for ore and minerals just like the prospectors did.

In addition, museum director Evelyn Johnson said the museum will close for the season on Friday, May 31. “Residents living in Cave Creek and Carefree can visit the museum admission-free on that day,” Johnson said. 

“From 1:30 to 3 p.m. on May 31 join us as we celebrate our wonderful volunteers and recognize their amazing service over the years,” she added. “After the comments and recognition, we will offer gold slurry ice cream with a caramel topping sprinkled with beautiful elements from the Sonoran Desert. A perfect season wrap-up for a special museum in Cave Creek’s historic mining district.”

Cave Creek Museum’s popular Arizona Gold Mining Experience takes place twice a month during the museum’s season, which is October through May. 

Individuals interested in serving as a museum volunteer and/or learning to help operate elements of the mining experience are always in demand, according to the museum. 

The 53-year-old museum’s mission is to preserve the artifacts of the prehistory, history, culture and legacy of the Cave Creek Mining District and the Cave Creek/Carefree foothills area through education, research and interpretive exhibits. 

The Cave Creek Museum is located at 6140 E. Skyline Drive in Cave Creek. For reservations, information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, call 480-488-2764 or visit cavecreekmuseum.org.