Empire Mine

Category: State park in Grass Valley, California

Address: 10791 E Empire St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, USA

Phone: +15302738522

Opening hours

Sunday: 10AM–5PM

Monday: 10AM–5PM

Tuesday: 10AM–5PM

Wednesday: 10AM–5PM

Thursday: 10AM–5PM

Friday: 10AM–5PM

Saturday: 10AM–5PM

Reviews

Sarah Hathorne

Mar 5, 2022

Kids loved it. $5 for 5 and older. Very cool model of the extensive mine. A rock specimen collection. And the blacksmith made my kids rings, in minutes, by eye that fit them for $1. Educational was to kill a few hours.

sara dyson

Jan 31, 2022

This is a beautiful park! It's well maintained, the staff are friendly and informative, and it's amazing to explore. Hal the blacksmith was wonderful. The gift shop has a great variety of souvenirs and is so inexpensive I almost felt bad for paying so little (this goes for the $5 entry fee as well). Donate to the blacksmith shop and the donation box in the visitors center! I'll definitely be back.

Christina Lee

Dec 27, 2021

Really nice and beautiful park surrounding the old mine area. Pretty landscape and buildings to walk around and interesting mining history to learn. $5 dollars admission. There are also trails you can hike around the area.

Jon Waldrep

Dec 27, 2021

The Empire Mine State Historic Park combines a former gold mine with a vast and beautiful park. There are several excellent walking trails, gardens, historical buildings, mine exhibits and a blacksmith shop. Well worth a visit.

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Questions & Answers

Are leashed dogs welcome on the tours?

A.A. Ron | Jan 26, 2019
Anitra Hayden | Jan 27, 2019

From their website: Dogs are welcome visitors too – especially when their owners follow the rules. We have a six-foot leash requirement throughout the Park. Dogs are not allowed inside the historic buildings or in the mine shaft. However, service dogs are allowed inside Empire Cottage and the Clubhouse. Owners are responsible for removing dog waste, and citations may be given to owners whose dogs are off leash. Fresh water is available for dogs in the Visitors Center and in the Blacksmith Shop. REMEMBER, never leave your dog in a hot car. Even if you choose a shady parking place, it can become a dangerous “hot spot” quickly. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR WHEN THE WEATHER’S HOT.

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Are the paths clear of snow?

Francisco Guzman | Jan 18, 2022
patrick new | Jan 19, 2022

It rarely snows at Empire Mine. No snow today

Is there a shop that sells small mineral pieces?

ClementIV | Nov 26, 2021
Judith Huter-Bundza | Nov 27, 2021

They do have a gift shop. Maybe check online or you can call to ask?

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Is recreational gold panning allowed here?

Calder Hutcheson | Jan 26, 2020
lin stratton | Jan 27, 2020

Anywhere in Nevada county water ways you can only "pans and hands" for gold, unless it is your "own claim"...

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Is there snow covering the park or can you easily walk? (01/02/22)

ClementIV | Jan 4, 2022
Jesse King | Jan 5, 2022

There's still snow everywhere

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Is it open ev

Carol Avila | Nov 26, 2021
Frank Hamlin | Nov 27, 2021

After November first the park closed at 4:00pm and opens at 10:00am the entire year.

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Is there a place to park an RV so we can enjoy the park?

Pam Whitcomb | Jul 29, 2021
Julia Edwards | Jul 30, 2021

They have a giant parking lot with two bus spaces I saw which we were there

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Is outside food or drink allowed in the grounds?

Becky Ingram | Jun 29, 2021
Jonah Johnson | Jun 30, 2021

At the picnic area

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is there bathrooms

Temitope Fagbule | Mar 1, 2021
webber valerie | Mar 2, 2021

Yes. There are ones actually housed in an old carriage house in the parking lot. There are also ones inside..

Is this place stroller accessible?

Iekika Nikole | Jan 25, 2021
BV Rao | Jan 26, 2021

Yes, it is. Some places may be rocky and bumpy but should be okay...

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Can I park there overnight

Bonnie Proulx | Jan 26, 2020
Ralph Berlanga | Jan 27, 2020

No

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When what the park established

Stacey W | Jan 26, 2020
Greg Liddle | Jan 27, 2020

In the early 1800's

When is the cottage decorated for Christmas and open for Christmas?

Donna Mattson | Jan 26, 2020
David B. Townsend | Jan 27, 2020

Just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Open tours daily at 1pm weekdays, and living history tours, weekend, where docents are in period dress

Are the flower gardens in bloom yet?

Patricia Downer | Jan 26, 2020
David B. Townsend | Jan 27, 2020

Not yet. Roses have Bud's, so likely another 3-4 weeks. Ground flowers are blooming in various areas of the park.

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How can one get a tour of the mine and park?

Desiree Kelley | Jan 26, 2020
Jesse Thayn | Jan 27, 2020

The guided tours are included in the entrance fee. 1:00 is the Bourn cottage and 2:00 is the mine yard. You can only go a short distance into the mine because it is full of water.

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Is photography allowed in the park after close? Specifically up to sunset?

Vanessa Rutledge | Jan 26, 2019
Elizabeth | Jan 27, 2019

Yes

Is photography on site allowed?

Alicia Fox | Jan 26, 2019
Livio Plos | Jan 27, 2019

Yes

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Are 4 wheelers available to ride

Brandon Rayburn | Jan 26, 2019
Jacob Geisick | Jan 27, 2019

The free portion of Empire mine is mostly brush and horsetrails, not an ATV park, there are no ATVs available. The pay-upon-entry portion of the park is a large mining exhibit with Victorian houses in their semi-original conditions. I would suggest one of the quarries around Nevada county for ATV riding, you could find them in Penn Valley or maybe even somewhere at the Greenhorn Rock Quarry. I'm not sure where you could get the ATV rentals, though.

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