Alder / Virginia City KOA

Rock Hunting

Semiprecious stones--garnets, agates, sapphires and rubies--can be found on our grounds or within a short distance.

Gold Panning

In gold panning, a mixture of creek or river sand and gravel is swirled with water in a gold pan until the sand and gravel have washed out and only the heavier gold is left, usually with the heavy, black magnetite that always accompanies placer gold. Drive seven miles to Ruby Reservoir or nine miles to Virginia City to try your luck at panning.

Virginia City and Nevada City

These sister towns, only a mile apart, were once booming mining towns. Both have been restored and are much as they were more than a hundred years ago. Stroll the boardwalks and visit the historic buildings and exhibits. Take in a melodrama at the old Opera House, listen to player pianos and nickelodeons, and visit the graves of the Plummer Gang on Boot Hill.

Alder Gulch

This was the site of the most famous placer mining district in the world. In its first five years, Alder Gulch produced between thirty and sixty million dollars in gold--at the 1860’s price of $35.00 an ounce. Take time to visit the historical gold dredge at the Alder Gulch River of Gold Mining Museum. Experience the amazement and excitement created by viewing this awesome machine. It is one of the few remaining dredges that were once a familiar site in Montana’s streams in the 1930s.