Paws & Picks: Unleash Adventure at the Adventure Mining Company
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Visit Dog-friendly Adventure Mining Company
If you are looking for a fun and unique experience to share with your four-legged friend then you should bring your dog to Adventure Mining Company a call! Choose from their several experiences including a dog-friendly copper mine tour or tours that allow you to rappel deeper into the mine. They even have a hands-on mining workshop.
No matter what you choose be prepared to make some awesome memories while learning about the history and process of copper mining in the area. The workshop teaches you the finer details of techniques used here in the Keweenaw mine and gives you the chance to try your hand with several of the machines that they used.
If you are looking for a copper mine tour that focuses more on history and education, then consider visiting the Quincy Mine.
Is the Adventure Mining Company Dog Friendly?
The Adventure Mining Company is dog-friendly. Be aware that they do have a couple of off-leash dogs that typically hang out around the gift shop area in case your dog has a hard time making other canine friends.
Dogs are usually allowed on the Prospector’s Tour as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash. Make sure you call ahead to verify that they haven’t changed this rule.
Keep in mind that the ground in the cave may be rough and that there are bats that live in the mines. They will normally be higher up on the walls and ceilings but may occasionally be found on the lower part of the walls or even the floor.
There are over 7 miles of hiking trails in the area that you can explore with your pup while you are here. This is a great way to keep your dog occupied while you wait if some members of your group decide they want to do the longer mining tours.
What to Expect at the Adventure Mining Company
The Adventure Mining Company is one of the places in Michigan that offer copper mine tours. This attraction offers several different types of tours to choose from though what makes this company worth a trip are the more advanced tours where you rappel 80 feet down into a mine shaft.
They offer tours year-round but the daily hours are seasonal and dependent on staff availability. The price of the tours and workshops range anywhere from $32-$280, so you can choose the best one for your travel budget.
During the summer months, tour times do sell out, so the best thing is to make sure you book in advance. You can do this either by phone or buy your tickets online. This way your spot is guaranteed, and they will make sure they have enough people scheduled that day. You are allowed to walk in and buy your tickets, but I would still recommend calling ahead to make sure that the tour you want still has spots available.
Adventure Mining Company is surrounded by miles of hiking and biking trails for your enjoyment. If you want to get some extra exercise, you can find trail maps inside the gift shop.
Tip: Make sure to download any directions or maps that you may need before you arrive because cell phone service is very limited in the area.
Where to Stay
Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula is a beautiful area that has plenty of hotels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds to choose from. Some of the parks and attractions are a bit spread out so finding the perfect place will depend on the activities that you are interested in.
Campsites Near the Adventure Mining Company
There is no shortage of campgrounds in the area. These are some of the closest camping sites to Adventure Mining Company if you choose to stay in this general area.
- Courtney Lake Campground– $14 per night
- Bob Lake Campground– $14 per night
- Emily Lake State Forest Campground– $20 per night
- Ontonagon Township Park and Campground– $15 -$40 per night
- River Road Park and Campground– $25-$35 per night
Hotels Near the Adventure Mining Company
Use our booking.com link to find the best hotel for your UP vacation!
Booking.comWhere to Eat when Visiting the Adventure Mining Company
There is no restaurant onsite, but if you book the Captain’s Tour or the Mining Workshop, you will be provided with a light lunch. Remember to research your dinner plans before you arrive because cell phone service is hard to get in the area. One of the nearest restaurants to this copper mine is Hunts Brothers Pizza, and you will find plenty of options if you drive to the city of Ontonagon.
Adventure Mining Company
The Adventure Mining Company is great for anyone interested in a ‘not your typical’ mining tour. Two of the three tours will allow you the rare opportunity to harness up and rappel further into the mine. You can even sign up for a mining class which gives you the chance to use some of the equipment!
Book your tour in advance to make sure you get a spot and don’t forget to wear appropriate clothing. They recommend that you wear long pants, closed-toed shoes, and a light jacket as the mines can be brisk year-round.
There are bats in the mine so you may get lucky and see some of these cute guys hanging around (pun intended) on your tour. Just make sure you bring a change of shoes and clothes if you are entering numerous cave-like structures to prevent the spread of the deadly White-Nose Syndrome through the local bat populations.
Adventure Mining Company Gift Shop
The gift shop is where you will book or check-in for your mining tour. You can also get more information about the surrounding trails as well as buy souvenirs for your visit. You will find different shirts, rocks, minerals (including copper) plus other cool items.
Copper Mine Tours
The tours are led by a local guide, who will share with you the history of copper miners and the Keweenaw mine. You’ll also get to see copper veins still inside the walls of the mine and the mining equipment they used while learning about the copper mining process.
If you have toured a COAL mine before, I would still recommend touring a COPPER one. I was surprised at the different mining processes. It was interesting to hear the extracting method based on the type of mineral they were looking for. Now I want to visit even more types of mines!
The tour starts below the gift shop where you will pick up your safety equipment and get a rundown of what to expect. Once everyone in your group is ready, you will board a vehicle that will take you to one of the entrances to the mine.
Tip: Don’t forget to bring along some cash to tip your tour guides!
Prospector’s Tour
This is the easiest and shortest copper mine tour lasting around 1.5 hours with no age requirements. Your guide will take you through the largest rooms in the mine and allow you to see several solid pieces of copper that were left behind by the miners. Dogs are usually allowed on this tour.
Price-$32
Miner’s Tour
The Miner’s Tour will last 2-3 hours, and participants need to be at least 12 years old. Your guide will take you through the same areas as the Prospector’s Tour before you get to the fun part. This is where you get to rappel 80ft down to one of the lower levels of the mine. All participants will be given a safety lesson and the chance to practice before they start their official descent.
Once in the lower levels of the copper mine, you will have to crawl through some smaller areas while hiking to the older parts of the mine.
When the tour is over, you will have one more adventure to complete before you go. You can choose between a 10ft slide or by crossing a swing bridge that crosses over a 30ft drop. Don’t worry, you will be attached to a safety rig if you choose to cross.
Price-$72
Captain’s Tour
Plan on being in the mines for about 5-6 hours for this tour but they will provide you with lunch. Participants will need to be at least 13 years old and be able to complete several training exercises to go on this outing. This is another tour where you get the fun experience of rappelling down to one of the lower levels.
Everyone will have to carry a 10lb bag during the tour while you navigate through sections of the mine that aren’t covered on the other tours. You will be deep into the mine and at times over 30 minutes to the nearest exit.
Price-$145
Mining Workshops
If you are looking for more hands-on experience, you can sign up for a 6-hour mining workshop available for participants 13 years and older. Lunch will also be provided for this program.
During this program, you will be able to learn and practice some of the same skills that the miners would have needed for their jobs. This includes not only some of the mining techniques but also some of the machinery!
Price- $280
Educational & Group Tours
If you are traveling with a large group, Adventure Mining Company can accommodate you. Tours can be tailored more for your specific group’s needs and interests, making it a much more personalized experience. Just make sure to call ahead!
Price- TBD
Nearby Attractions:
For ideas of places to visit in the surrounding area, check out these locations. We’ve put together a list of similar attractions if you are interested in mines and minerals as well as some great parks in the area.
Nearby Mines or Mineral Attractions:
- Quincy Mine
- A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum
- Caledonia Copper Mine (you can ‘mine’ your own minerals here)
Check out our post about the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia or Coal Mines in Kentucky for other great types of mining experiences!
Outdoor Activities Near Adventure Mining Company:
Why You Should Visit:
Adventure Mining Company does a great job of living up to the adventure part of its name. They provide you with the opportunity to do some pretty unique things like bringing your dog or rappelling while learning about copper mines. Take one of their tours or participate in a mining workshop while making some awesome memories of your Upper Michigan vacation. This is officially tied for first place with the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in West Virginia as one of my favorite mining tours. I highly recommend stopping in if you have ever wanted a fun and entertaining mining tour!
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