Roaring Camp Mining Company

We did this tour at least 6 years ago and I thought it was worth doing a review about it. Husband and I signed up for the early evening tour including riding an open air truck down into a river canyon with an entertaining history lesson of the mining operation of years past.Arriving in river canyon floor we were instructed on panning from dirt that was provided. It was entertaining to give it a try as the aromatic bbq was cooking nearby, with the relaxing sound of the nearby river.Once we were done with our attempt to strike it rich the meal was ready to feed the hungry diners.We were all seated at large picnic tables and provided with a hearty meal. Some of the other diners were staying at small cabins on valley floor and panning for gold each day for a week. This was a different adventure provided by the company.During dinner and afterwards there was a small stage with music and a singer performing country western music.After dark we headed back up the steep winding room up the hill. A perfect ending for a fun day.Their services are seasonal, May through September.

Travel back into history with vacation or day trip to Roaring Camp Mining Company. Not only is there a historical element to this place but it still is a functioning mine which gives you the opportunity to mine and possibly leave with GOLD of your own. The fishing, hiking, and fun atmosphere is so relaxing. Float the river if you'd rather just relax, or sit in the shade down by the river. And the star gazing is epic!The Saturday night barbecue was amazing, and the live music did not disappoint!The family that owns it is so helpful, and will answer your questions, even silly ones (trust me I know.)This is my new must do yearly spot to go for our family vacation!

We just left this morning! It was amazing! This is my third time staying at the camp. First it's a family run business, which means they are vested in your stay. The whole family was welcoming, and you can tellthat they love what they do. My first two times were as a kid 30 years ago, so I can't rate those times. However this trip we brought our daughter and came with our extended family of 12 total. This place is perfect to get your teens and kids off the screens, because there is no service, no cell service, no wifi. Enjoy it! I loved being away from the constant barrage of the news media cycles, and water cooler chatter. Our kids dug for gold, and found some! Also napped, read, played corn hole, horse shoes, saw all the animals that live there, took hikes and went in the river some. The river was uncharacteristically high for this time of year because of the long rainy and snow season. So swimming in the swimming hole was not possibly because the water current was too strong. We brought all of our own cooking supplies and needs and honestly probably too much food lol, but it was great to reconnect with our family and my parents. Meals became a group effort and let us all spend more time together after our different daily adventures or naps. The last night dinner is amazing, and the fry bread is nothing to be skipped, bring your favorite preserve to spread on it and savor it! This is not a trip if you can't handle dirt or being unplugged from the world. The showers are awesome and the bathrooms have electricity, not every cabin has electricity, but it harkens back to the days of the 49ers and makes the campfires a nightly event that gathers everyone around to s'mores or jiffy pop cook offs. Then you can retire back to your cabin and are lulled to sleep by the comforting white noise of the river.

Great vacation spot. We have been spending time here for the last 16 years. Our adult sons still go with us.

My family had a fun day at Roaring Camp. The staff was very professional, informative and friendly. The cafe food was delicious. The river area had life jackets and floats to enjoy free. The switchback road down to camp and back up is bumpy but just hold on and listen to the driver's interesting stories and history about the area. Recommended for all ages!!

I am in debate about the place because we went during COVID-19 (COVID concerns at end of review) and have some mixed reviews.Let me start with the Positives:+The staff was very helpful in preparing for this trip, we called several times to check in about mask wearing social distancing, food etc.+The views down the mountain were spectacular.+The river and swimming hole were beautiful and a great place to spend some time.+Learning how to pan for gold and panning and finding some gold was a fun experience.+There was a small variety of food to choose from and was able to accommodate for gluten free (we brought our own bread for burgers). +Fun to try fresh spring water and blackberry picking on tour.+If you enjoy history, you will get some good information about this place. Much better than a history book.+Was able to see how they are a working mine and get their gold with their machines.+Were told that food was at a to-go only and no one was to stay inside to eat. Masks were mandatory to walk around inside.+All day trip people wore masks.Now for the Could Have Been Better's--The description of the day tour is a bit deceiving. While it states 10 am to 4 pm ALL DAY ADVENTURE, there are many things that happen during this time that are not mentioned. Here is how the day tour went...10:00 Check In10:10ish Panning Demo10:30 Load into car and caravan to lower parking lot10:45 Load into Open Air truck10:50ish Head down the hill Several short stopping points to show history of trail and camp One 10 minute stop to try spring water, pick berries, lookout view11:30ish Landed in camp, went to order lunch, bathroom break11:45ish Walking tour around grounds12:05ish Break for lunch, swim, panning if you know what you are doing12:30 Panning Demo3:30 Load back into truck and head uphill to cars4:00ish Done for the day-We have 2 kiddos on the Autism Spectrum and we had our mother with us... Knowing the above information would have been so helpful to know as we have to prepare them for the day and we were under the impression by the description that we would be at the water for most of the day.-We felt that we had to order lunch once we arrived as though the kitchen would not be open after the walking tour to order food, ($100 for 5 people)-The $40 per person fee ONLY covers drive down the hill panning, demo, use of panning tray and "day dirt" to pan. For $40 a person could they not include a vial per person to hold our gold?-The walking tour, which the guide made seem mandatory, was just a sales pitch on their campsites and was not pertinent to gold mining or even the old tools that were all over the camp, think "time share spiels".-Be prepared to work hard to get a few gold flakes and maybe teeny nuggets. It is fun, but when you get less than 3 hours to do it, you may not get more than a few flakes.-Very bumpy truck ride and was only secured in by a loose chain, keep kids and elderly near front of truck.-Explanation that you can gold mining outside of the demo space tent was not explained well. The guide never informed us they have buckets you can put the "day dirt" in and head down to river to pan there, you don't have to stay under the demo tent to pan.COVID-19 Issues: Due to Masks being required, here is our experience:We were told multiple times (because we called a few times to double check) that all staff were wearing masks, everyone had their temperature checked upon check in, that social distancing was being practiced (down at camp there was no guarantee that campers would be wearing masks outside but they should be mindful of social distancing).+Office workers put masks on when we entered the building.-Main tour guide never wore mask, did not maintain any kind of distance, snuffed us off when we told him were were distancing. Demos were of close proximity and it made us uncomfortable trying to learn the techniques when he was not wearing a mask and being so close (both at beginning demo and down at camp demo).-At the restaurant/museum no one was wearing mask when we entered the first time. Several people sitting at tables- no masks. Worker put mask on after we made the comment of no one wearing them, worker even commented "yes mom". -Picking up food there were several more people there, no one wearing masks, not social distancing. As we reminded our kid to social distance, there was a kid who did not know what social distance was, and a man at the counter with no mask COUGHING and no one said a thing to him.-While much of this adventure is outside, there are many parts where you are closer than 6 feet to others and the guide is within a foot or two to help with learning how to see what gold is and isn't, he is not wearing mask.

What can I say, we finally got a chance to go to Roaring Camp for dinner with friends and it was great! Totally what up country in Amador County is all about. Fun night with great hosts.

We went on the guided tour on Sunday. Had fantastic time. It was very well organized and worth every penny. Very thoughtful stuff treat you as family. Fantastic swim in the deep river even for teens who are afraid of water.... Got some gold for the first time! For rock collectors - sparkly shale with a lot of mica was everywhere (you are allowed to collect rocks). My 12 and 14 years old loved it and at this age they are difficult to please... Definitely coming back.

Went to the Saturday night cook out. It was fantastic. Great bunch of people. Then on Sunday we did the all day tour. Definitely well worth it. Again. Best staff. Mike, the tour guide is great. And he always finds gold while panning. You will learn a lot from him. Thanks Roaring Camp.

Such a fun evening activity that's family friendly, very sweet family owned business!