Walk through the preserved ruins of the Treadwell mines on Douglas Island and watch vanished streets return via augmented reality. This 2–3 hour guided tour pairs on-site narration with AR overlays to bring Juneau’s gold rush era to life.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the van onto a narrow spit of beach where spruce and alder press close, salt air cutting through the pine resin. The ground underfoot is mostly flat—a mix of packed trail, boardwalk and scattered foundations—while the hulking ribs of old boilers and forgotten stonework loom like industrial fossils among the trees. Augmented reality on a provided iPad overlays the vanished streets and wooden buildings, letting the site speak in both steel and story.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—able to walk 2 miles on uneven, but mostly flat trails
Wildlife
History
Treadwell’s mines and company town were a major early-20th-century industrial complex; a 1917 cave-in and subsequent events ended large-scale operations and left the ruins you see today.
Conservation
The ruins and surrounding forest are fragile—stick to trails, avoid touching delicate timbers, and pack out all waste to protect both historical fabric and coastal ecosystems.
Reserve your spot on the Historical Walking Tour of Abandoned Gold Rush Era City with AR today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes
Trails are flat but uneven with boardwalks and mud after rain—waterproof footwear keeps you comfortable for the full 2–3 miles.
Bring a charged camera or phone
An iPad is provided for AR scenes, but personal devices capture details and wider landscape views when the sun peeks out.
Dress in layers and carry a light rain shell
Coastal weather shifts quickly; a packable rain jacket and mid-layer will keep you warm without bulk.
Stay on marked paths and respect structures
Foundations and timbers are historically sensitive and can be unstable—observe but don’t climb or remove artifacts.
Waterproof hiking shoes
Protects feet on muddy boardwalks and rocky shoreline sections.
Light rain shell
Keeps you dry during sudden coastal showers and wind off the channel.
Layered clothing
Temperatures can swing between cool forest shade and sunnier shoreline exposure.
Fully charged camera or phone
Supplement the supplied iPad and capture ruins and landscape photos.