Fun for the Whole Family
Welcome to the Black Hills Mining Museum, located in the mile-high city of Lead. Our non-profit educational corporation is dedicated to the preservation of the rich mining heritage of the Black Hills of South Dakota. We invite you to visit us and enjoy our numerous exhibits and activities. For more than a century, gold mining has been the #1 industry in Lead and in the Northern Black Hills. Today that mining heritage is cleverly depicted as an educational and fun Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association Family Approved Attraction.
Guided Mine Tours
The museum's experienced and knowledgeable guides will escort you on a fascinating and informative 50-55 minute tour of our simulated underground level of the Homestake Gold Mine - the only comprehensive look at both early-day and modern underground mining to be found in the Black Hills. This realistic exhibit has been created by over 140 miners and former mine employees.
The Homestake mine, which ceased operation in 2001, was one of the largest in the world, reaching a depth of 8,000 feet below the surface of the city of Lead.
Gold Panning
Don't Just Play in the Water...
GO FOR THE GOLD
THE MOST GENEROUS GOLD SAMPLES IN THE HILLS!
Share the thrill experienced by the prospectors the world over in the museum's hands-on gold panning display. (Gold Guaranteed!) With the friendly, personal attention of our staff you will learn the techniques of panning and take home your own sample of real placer gold!
