Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center - Palmer, Alaska

Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center

The Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center, located at 23264 Gold Cord Rd, Palmer, AK 99645, is a must-visit destination for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and families alike. With a phone number of 9077453975 and a website available at dnr.alaska.gov, this center offers a wealth of information and resources for visitors.

Specialties and Features

This visitor center, a tourist attraction in itself, specializes in providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the area's rich history and the fascinating stories behind the Independence Mine. The park itself is a prime hiking area, with numerous trails for visitors to explore the stunning Alaskan landscape. Additionally, the center provides onsite services and is accessible to wheelchair users, with both a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot available.

Points of Interest

Visitors can expect to find various points of interest within the park, including the historic Independence Mine structures, which offer a glimpse into the lives of the miners who once worked there. The Gold Cord Lake Trail is a particular highlight, offering breathtaking views and, as mentioned by many visitors, a perfect reflection in the lake's waters. The area is also great for children, providing an engaging and educational experience for the whole family.

Opinions and Reviews

The Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center has garnered a strong reputation, with a impressive average opinion rating of 4.8/5 based on 1160 reviews on Google My Business. Visitors consistently praise the center's educational value, the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and the accessibility for all ages and abilities.

One particularly noteworthy review highlights the various attractions available at the park: "Love visiting here Hatcher Pass is full of gems and Independence Mine is one of them. The structures still there and the history are great. And don't forget to do the gold chord lake trail there for a great view and (usually) a perfect reflection."

Recommendation

If you're looking for a unique and enriching experience in Alaska, the Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center is an excellent choice. With its wealth of information, stunning natural beauty, and commitment to accessibility, it's no wonder that this destination has earned such high praise from visitors. For more details and to plan your visit, be sure to check out their website at dnr.alaska.gov. Don't miss the opportunity to explore this fascinating piece of Alaskan history

👍 Reviews of Independence Mine State Historical Park Visitor Center

Mick D. (.

5/5

Love visiting here! Hatcher Pass is full of gems and Independence Mine is one of them. The structures still there and the history are great. And don’t forget to do the gold chord lake trail there for a great view and (usually) a perfect reflection. Even if the gate is locked to drive up and park, you should still park at the lower parking lot and walk up.

Julie L.

5/5

The park was closed for the winter, but we enjoyed the one mile hike from the lower parking lot. The scenery was stunning! The mine had lots of interesting information on outdoor postings, so it was very informative even in the off-season. Restrooms were open for those that hiked up.

Brittani B.

5/5

Absolutely stunning views. You will be surrounded by mountains with the option to hike on surrounding trails, there are restrooms and plenty of parking. There is also a visitors center for more exploring of the site

Keqi G.

4/5

This was an old mining site until 1952. It produced over 175,000 ounces in its lifetime. The site is free and only paid $5 for parking. It kept the old buildings and let you see the process of how they made the gold. The surrounding area is even more beautiful. April bowl trail is only a couple of miles away and definitely worth the climbing to the weather station.

Jeremy S.

3/5

As a tourist site it's not very fun, and not much to see.

For hikes it's probably better.

Most of the buildings have fallen down, and the place is basically an unmanned area at a $5 parking fee station where people hike.

The views are amazing of the mountains.

The drive is 1 hour and 30 mins from Anchorage though.

Brandy A.

5/5

The drive out made it all worth it. The roads were great to be so remote. This was my favorite trip ever. Going to see the parliament and the lake out this road were the peek of our trip. Unrivaled views and on a rainy day it was a perfect way to still enjoy Alaska.

David R.

5/5

Friendly staff, informative explanations on self guided tour. Opportunity to pan in stream. Gorgeous scenery.
No fee for tour, other than parking. Added bonus we saw skydivers on the way out!

Benjamin F.

5/5

The views here are gorgeous!!! And the history is wonderful, seeing the old mining equipment relatively untouched was so cool. We hiked up to the mine lake and it was so worth it.