Informative and rich in unique history in a stunning place. The placards are full of great information. Love the cross country skiing, hiking, plus blue berries. read more

This beautiful tourist attraction is located right outside of Hatchers Pass. There is ample parking available very close to the mine. We saw many folks park too far away (nearest the lodge, with the popular dry cabins) and then had to trek unnecessarily. Lots of bathrooms, a few snack and drink areas. We recently visited on a sunny day with tons of traffic. We were able to enter and explore a few of the buildings and artifacts. Lots of reading material available throughout the "tour." I would return and bring visitors. read more

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Came here on September 23, 2023, and there is snow on the mountains and pathways. Other comments on my Facebook posts were you should have come here in the summer. After reading other posts, I did not know there was a lake and upper trail. It was nice to walk around and explore. The road to Willow was closed. It was a nice day trip from Eagle River. I'm a tourist from MN. It was cool. read more

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Really nice park. Be careful, don't cross the barriers as the buildings are dilapidated and falling. Wish we had more than 40 minutes to explore and enjoy the area. We did some gold panning, which is strangely fun in a "i'm obsessed to find some gold flakes" kind of way. I also found it soothing to swish the water around the pan. I can see why and how people got caught up in the 'craze' of the gold rush way back when. There are a couple trails in the area, and on a clear day like we got, it was absolutely picturesque! $5 per car entrance fee, so that's not expensive at all. And you could easily spend a couple hours here. Good news, there are restrooms in the parking lot. read more

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Venture up 3500 feet and experience another time. Men who traveled here with gold fever. As you drive the paved road remember this wasn't here back then. These mountain men tracked a path up here with horses, donkeys and probably covered wagons to dig a hole thru the mountain in search of a golden fortune. It definitely puts your own life in perspective. Enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. read more

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Amazing views of the Talkeetna mountains and a fascinating historical story of gold mining and its miners.

At $5.00 for parking fee this little place is a nice staple. It's perfect for any family member. Old, young, and even 4 legged family members can enjoy this neat place. There are lots of great photo ops and neat things to look at in this old mine. I recommend visiting this place on a sunny day to enjoy the beautiful views. I'd also bring a sweater with you just in case, as it can get a bit windy and chilly on cloudy days. Pets are welcome and you'll find that many people bring their dogs with them on the trails (a huge plus in my book). read more

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Finally got a chance to check out Independence Mine Park... it was pretty cool. We did the self guided tour. It's not so much the old mine that was interesting to us, but rather the setting. It is INCREDIBLY idyllic. I highly recommend walking the short loop trail that runs behind the mine. I ventured just a short distance from the trail proper and discovered an enchanting mountain stream and colorful spongy tundra. I felt like I was in a dream. Highly recommended. As Geordie mentioned, there's marmots about as well. They're everywhere and super entertaining to watch scurry about in and out of the rocks. They also think they own the road as well and don't use crosswalks, so careful to not run over the cute lil varmints! The park itself is free for self-guided tours. $5 parking (all day pass for any of Alaska's State Parks). Go during the summer! read more

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It's a beautiful place to visit for some historical knowledge and high altitude hiking. They've changed the rates so it's a vehicle and per passenger charge but the price is still a steal. The mining history is beautiful. The restored buildings are beautiful. The scenery and open trails are God's beauty. Just pay the parking fee and experience the awesomeness. read more

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Great place with a lot of history. Beautiful hiking trails with gorgeous views. We visited at the end of June and there still was quite a bit of snow on the ground. Staff was very nice. read more

Independence Mine State Historical Park - Parks Near Me

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This was one of the most entertaining tours our family has gone on since coming to Alaska. The Independence Mine State Park is working hard to restore the old mining town, and it is pretty fascinating to look at how well preserved everything is. We went on a paid tour with a woman named Tina, who was GREAT! Paying the extra fee instead of just walking around meant that we got to view the buildings from the inside and hear all kinds of great stories about the mine and people who lived there during the Gold Rush. I also highly recommend taking a walk up to the mine entrance, or taking one of the many local hikes. We were there on a particularly hot day and the rush of cold coming from the mine was quite the reality check. I can't believe people were actually able to work in there, sopping wet, and not die from pneumonia instantly. The mine is definitely worth the trip, and I think that especially in this economy, state parks can use all the donations they can get. Please check this park out. It's beautiful and is an educational yet entertaining experience. read more

I thought I'd like the fact that the State decided they can't fund this anymore so you can tour on your own without guides...but what that now means is that all the buildings are locked. Bummer. Still we had a good time on our way thru Hatcher Pass. We saw a giant Marmot sunning himself on some wreckage. They looks like a woodchuck. read more

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One of the best hikes with children. This old abandoned mining town is a wealth of buildings and historical info. Look through the main building, then see miners cabins, and hike up to the entrance of the mine. Trails surround the village, and there are plenty of picnic tables. Definitely worth the trip! read more

Independence Mine State Historical Park - View of Independence Mine - Parks Near Me

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It feels like you are stepping out of time as you drive up here. It is so serene, it is hard to imagine this was a busy mine full of hard working and hard drinking men. On a clear day it is a slice of heaven on earth. If you are really interested in mining history and visiting the insides of old mines, you should also visit the copper mine at Kennicott in Wrangell St. Elias National Park near Glenallen. If you have the time and the weather is good, you can also drive back down the other side of the mountain on the narrow curvy road. The scenery is spectacular. Be sure you have enough gas though as there is no gas this way for aways. read more

Hidden gem I found by accident during a December trip. Hike up from lot was a bit more then expected, but once there worth every step. Snow was too deep to go off the trail, but the view of the surrounding area and what I could see of the mine and restored building made the trip worth it. Quick tip, On the drive back, stop off at some of the areas alongside the rivers. Never know what gold you might find... read more

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I grew up around here and I never took advantage... Now after living out of alaska for five years there are many things I wish I would have done -- such as spend my weekends playing around Hatcher's Pass. Ah, such is life. Let this be a lesson to you kids - get outside and play! read more

Loved: It was gorgeous out here. Perfect day for hiking, there was even a couple getting their wedding photographs done here. We walked around and explored and had a rather wonderful time. Didn't Love: We tried to do one of the hikes listed that goes around the mine and then back down again. We soon lost the trail and kept trying to find it - but it was either snowed out still, or we just couldn't find it. We ended up backtracking and going along a different route. read more

I really loved this, as I couldn't have come at a better time. Mid-August, and on the weekend of Independence Mine's 40th Anniversary which meant the $5 parking fee for the state park was waived. The buildings were open to explore and the numerous information boards gave alot of insight as to what the daily life of these miners entailed. They've greatly scaled back the hours on the Visitor's Center; but you're not missing out on much if it's closed. We walked around the mill for an hour, then drove down a little bit down the valley and went blueberry-picking. I suppose the next month will be perfect for blueberries, yum! read more

This place is pretty amazing! If you are lucky enough to go on a clear day you are in for a real treat! The views are freaking spectacular! Plan to send a good amount of time here hiking around after you check out the old mine. Some of the buildings have been restored and some of them are beautifully destroyed. You can feel the history in the soil here. The bookstore is modest but they carry some great local authors. read more

What a great place to take a look back at Alaskan history. A short beautiful drive from Wasilla through the amazing Hatcher Pass. Well worth the trip. Take a light jacket, it got chilly up there! read more

This is a beautiful gem of a park, hidden in the lower mountains above Wasilla-Palmer. Its about 1 hour drive from Anchorage, but it sooo worth it. Its a beautiful drive alongside winding, crystal blue rivers and green sloped mountains. The mine itself, is settled in the mountains and is quite scenic with many roads around to hike and explore. Its beautiful to hike up and look back down at. I would recommend hiking above the cabin that is just to the NE of the mining settlement and making your way up to the small, but beautiful Gold Cord Lake. Its a small little lake that looks as pristine as a photograph. Enjoy! read more

The staff is very welcoming and full of knowledge! They gave us tons of facts and explained the processes and history of the mill. Beware of all the mosquitos because they are literally everywhere! Btw there's a great view around besides just the mill! read more

Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass 1980-1982 What interests me most about the published history of this mine is that recent historical accounts circa 1980-83 seem to be deliberately missing. This was an operating mine during those years. How do I know? (because I worked there as a miner and Safety Director). The intent was to tunnel through the mountain and connect the Willow Creek side with Independence side so that operations could be maintained from Willow Creek side and not interfere with the historical nature of the Hatcher Pass side per agreement with the State Parks Dept. My guess is that there were up to about 30 working at this mine in various capacities during that time. When my wife and I moved up to Alaska from Leadville Colorado in the spring 1980 to work at this mine, we stayed in the old renovated boarding house, complete with a Deutz diesel thumping generator. When I first arrived, I was put to work in the "Water Tunnel" to extend the original Independence tunnel portal towards the Willow Creeks side, driving drift (or tunnel), using jack-leg drills and an Eimco-21 (24" rail gauge track mounted mucker) by drill and blast methods. These machines operated on compressed air- see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgiyQT3adTk We had a large Ingersoll-rand compressor at the mine portal. Other drift work included a ramp to higher levels in order to explore for gold ore. After the Water Tunnel was holed-thru to the Willow Creek side and mine operations were set-up there, things on the business side of the mine operation seemed to deteriorate (details were not known to me- but having worked at several small mines in Colorado, I could sense it). Management changed hands several times- and then I was 'laid-off' in 1982. I understand that mine operations ceased a short time later. Significant to me was that events while working here and this lay-off (or firing if you will) convinced me to return to school- I graduated from UA-Fairbanks with a degree in Civil Engineering 1986. Thanks to the supervisors that made this happen! This was a life changing experience. (Written also as a tribute to one miner that was killed during my watch circa 1982 by a large slab in one of the upper underground levels- hopefully not totally forgotten). read more