Children's Museums

The Gold Rush Museum

Name: The Gold Rush Museum
Address: 601 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603, Auburn, CA, US
Telephone: (530) 889-6500
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (145 reviews)

📍 601 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA 95603

📞 (530) 889-6500

🌐 www.placer.ca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Gold-Rush-Museum-81

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	10:30 AM–4 PM
Friday	10:30 AM–4 PM
Saturday	10:30 AM–4 PM
Sunday	10:30 AM–4 PM

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About The Gold Rush Museum

The Gold Rush Museum is a children's museum in Auburn, CA. The museum features an operating stamp mill and indoor panning stream with real gold flakes, allowing visitors to experience authentic Gold Rush-era mining techniques firsthand. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 145 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Best For: School age and up, 4th grade curriculum
Highlights: Mining tunnel, operating stamp mill, indoor panning stream
Admission: Free; $5 per student for Gold Rush Program
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible panning stream

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum features an operating stamp mill and indoor panning stream with real gold flakes, allowing visitors to experience authentic Gold Rush-era mining techniques firsthand
⭐Free general admission with affordable field trip programs at $5 per student, specifically designed for 4th-grade curriculum integration through the Virtual Gold Rush Program
⭐The museum remains accessible to visitors during its mid-September through October closure for parking lot repaving, offering a self-guided grounds tour available online when the building is closed

💬 What Visitors Say

🕐Plan your visit before mid-September through October when the museum closes for parking lot repaving. Consider the self-guided grounds tour available online during closure periods as an alternative learning option.
💬Budget 30-45 minutes for your museum visit. While compact, the space is densely packed with immersive exhibits including the operating stamp mill and mining tunnel, so plan accordingly rather than rushing through.
💡Don't miss the indoor gold panning stream with real gold flakes - it's a hands-on highlight for both adults and kids and is wheelchair accessible. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.
💬Schools can book the Gold Rush Program field trips for just $5 per student. For virtual learning, contact Curator of Education Katy Bartosh directly to schedule interactive virtual field trip experiences.
💡Engage with staff members during your visit - reviews highlight that the passionate local guides provide exceptional depth on Gold Rush history and California settlements beyond what's displayed, and are willing to share extra knowledge with interested visitors.