Gold Dredge 8 Tour
2 Hours • All Ages • Feel the Energy of the Gold Rush!
Overview
Activity details
Your tour will take you into the heart of the gold fields of the Tanana Valley where you will feel the history come alive!
• Enjoy a close up view of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and a presentation about it’s construction and operation.
• Take a seat aboard a replica of the Tanana Valley Railroad and listen to tales of the gold rush.
• See first-hand how the dredge worked the gold fields and have a chance to explore it on your own (weather depending).
•Try panning for yourself! You will find gold- we guarantee it!
What's included
Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate & fresh baked cookies!
Additional information
Check-in details
Morning tour check-in 10:15am but no later than 10:30am
Afternoon tour check-in 1:30pm but no later than 1:45pm
We have TV monitors on every train car that feature a live broadcast and provide supplementary informational footage.
What to bring
We suggest wearing layers. A portion of the tour is outdoors where you are exposed to the elements.
A camera to capture the memories!
Cash/Card for souvenir and/or food purchases.
Extras
What's Not Included:
Souvenirs
FAQs
Are reservations required?
Although reservations are not required, they are highly recommended. We recommend making reservations as soon as you know the date you would like to go on our tours.
How long is the tour and how often do tours run?
The tour at the Gold Dredge 8 is two hours long and runs twice a day from mid-May to mid-September.
What time should I arrive for my tour?
We recommend arriving at Gold Dredge 8 at least 15 minutes prior to departure time. When you arrive at Gold Dredge 8 you will need to check in at our train station in the parking lot to pick up your boarding passes.
What address do I enter in my GPS to get to your location?
Gold Dredge 8: 1803 Old Steese Highway North, Fairbanks, AK 99712
How do I get to your location?
Gold Dredge 8 is located about 25 minutes outside of Fairbanks on the Old Steese Highway. Take the Steese Highway (Route 2) North; take a left onto Goldstream Road; take a left onto Old Steese Highway (the first cross-road); our entrance is the first driveway on the right.
How long should I allow to get to each location?
Gold Dredge 8 is roughly 10 miles from downtown Fairbanks. We recommend allowing 25 minutes to get from downtown Fairbanks to Gold Dredge 8.
I don’t have a car. What is the best way to get to Gold Dredge 8?
We recommend either renting a car or checking into a shuttle service such as Go North (907-452-9999) or Airlink (907-452-3337) while in Fairbanks so you can explore the beauty of our widespread community. We do not recommend taking a taxi to our Gold Dredge 8 location. It is outside of town and a taxi would be quite expensive.
Are the tours appropriate for young children?
Yes, we find that all ages enjoy our tours.
Are there restrooms on the train?
At the Gold Dredge 8, there are restrooms available at our train station and in the gift shop.
What should I bring on my tour?
We recommend you bring a camera and a light jacket.
What should I wear on my tour?
We always suggest wearing layers. A portion of our tour is outdoors where you are exposed to the elements. The train at Gold Dredge 8 is open air and has a roof.
Is the tour ever cancelled due to the weather?
If it is raining, we provide ponchos and umbrellas for our guests.
Are your tours ADA accessible?
Yes, our tours are ADA accessible. When you arrive, please notify an associate at the ticket booth prior to the start of boarding and a Crew Member can assist you to the appropriate train car. Our Gold Camp has gravel paths that allow easy access. If you need assistance at Gold Camp, please notify a Crew Member. Only the first floor of Dredge is ADA accessible. Boarding at Train Station - Max Width of Ramp and Train Car: ~25”.
Is there assigned seating on the train?
No, seating is on a first come first served basis. Every seat on board is a great seat.
Will the Dredge be accessible to walk on?
After you have completed your gold panning experience the dredge will be available to explore. Each year there is flooding throughout the valley and the location where the dredge sits will experience high water in the spring making some (or all) of the dredge inaccessible. We will strive to have all parts of the dredge available for access as soon as it is safe to do so.
Is there anything available to eat on the tour?
At Gold Dredge 8, we serve complimentary freshly baked cookies, coffee and hot chocolate.
Is there alcohol available for purchase?
No, the Gold Dredge 8 does not serve alcohol or have it available for purchase.
I purchased my ticket through a third party. Do I need to check-in?
Yes, you will need to check in at our train station to pick up your boarding pass.
What is your refund policy?
We offer a full refund for cancellations or modifications in guest numbers made up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Please note that any refund issued will be processed minus applicable service fees and taxes. After 48 hours, cancellations or reductions in the number of guests will not be refunded, unless Trip Protection has been purchased. However, reservations may be rebooked for a later departure, subject to availability.
Are animals allowed on the train?
Due to customer allergies, we only allow designated trained service animals.
Can I do both the Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 tours in one day?
Yes, our tours are designed so you can do both tours in one day. However, please note that these tours are not at the same location.
Cancellations
We offer a full refund for cancellations or modifications in guest numbers made up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure time. After 48 hours, cancellations or reductions in the number of guests will not be refunded, unless Trip Protection has been purchased. However, reservations may be rebooked for a later departure, subject to availability. Please note that any refund issued will not include applicable service fees and taxes.