Mine For Gold At Eldorado Canyon

Long before the neon lights of Las Vegas, people flocked to Nevada in the hopes of finding a different kind of good fortune. Eldorado Canyon became a gold-mining heaven, while also defining the untamed land of the Wild West. Now known as Nelson, it’s a ghost town with neglected buildings and rusty cars that serve as stark reminders of its ruthless past.

In the 1700s, Spaniards set up base at the mouth of the Colorado River, naming the area Eldorado (Golden). They didn’t stay for too long, though, and it wasn’t until around 100 years later, in the spring of 1861, that hundreds of hopeful prospectors and miners came here looking to strike gold. They got lucky, discovering the fateful Salvage Vein around 5mi (8km) down from Eldorado Canyon – long, thick ribbons of gold shooting down the river. This led to the establishment of multiple mines, the leading one being the Techatticup Mine, the oldest and richest mine in southern Nevada.

Hundreds of hopeful prospectors and miners flocked to Eldorado Canyon

But it was never going to be smooth sailing. With the discovery of gold came greed and bloodshed. The area was synonymous with crime and the debauched town became practically lawless. Everyday life in Eldorado was riddled with shoot-outs, murder and grisly goings-on. For many years, the mines functioned alongside a clockwork of crime, all the while producing untold riches through gold, silver, copper and lead. It was the epitome of the bloodthirsty Wild West.

However, the boom didn’t last. In 1974, a flood destroyed most of the village and the area was abandoned. Eldorado Canyon became known as the community of Nelson, which today is home only to a few scattered ranch houses, rickety machinery, rusty cars and a battered Texaco station. This desolate but beautifully scenic area is a favorite spot for photographers and videographers – music videos and movies have been shot here, and you can even see the crashed airplane from the film 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001).

A vintage Texaco sign stands tall near Techatticup Mine

Though not many residents remain in Nelson, those that do run tours of the area. Join them and explore Eldorado for yourself, learning all about the sordid gold-mining history of the area. Traipse above and below ground, stroll the empty streets, see the veins once laced with gold and wander through the narrow walls of what remains of the rugged Techatticup Mine.

Take a tour Eldorado to learn all about its sordid history

A visit to Eldorado Canyon is the best way to get a taste of the raw Wild West and retrace the steps of 17th-century gold-mining chancers.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.