Many who enjoy boondocking in out-of-the-way locations have likely found themselves at one time or another camping in a spot near old mine workings. The western US and Rocky Mountains are dotted with various mineral districts that have attracted miners hunting for gold, silver, lead, zinc, coal, gemstones and other minerals since the 1800s.
Many of these early mines were later abandoned but not reclaimed or safeguarded. These areas carry a fascinating history, but old abandoned mines can also pose serious safety risks.
Historic mine buildings from the early 1900s above treeline in Colorado. (Photo by L. Thompson)
The dangers of camping near abandoned mines
After the news of gold found in California in 1848 spread throughout the US, Latin America, Europe, and China, the gold rush brought 300,000 people to the western US in search of the riches they had heard about. Later gold discoveries in Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, eastern Oregon, and Alaska continued to bring settlers westward in hopes of striking it rich.
Initially, placer deposits found in the sediments of stream beds were mined with gold pans and dredges. As the placer deposits were depleted, miners began developing technologies to tunnel into the mountains looking for the source of the riches in mineralized vein deposits running through the bedrock.
A coal miner in Routt County, CO in 1905. (Photo courtesy of CDRMS)
Some of these mines were not productive and were soon abandoned, while others found veins of gold and associated minerals. Many of these smaller mines never had any records associated with them, and have been largely forgotten by history.
Tens of thousands of old abandoned mines exist in the United States. In Colorado alone, the Division of Mining Reclamation and Safety estimates that over 23,000 abandoned mines are scattered throughout the state. Roughly half of these mines have been located and safeguarded. These mines are picturesque, but pose a significant risk to safety and should NEVER be entered.
Modern mining is regulated by entities like the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, but historic mines were not regulated. As a result, many of the old mines pose both environmental and physical safety risks.
Environmental risks can range from heavy metals (such as arsenic, lead, and mercury) associated with gold deposits that are now concentrated in tailings piles, to radiation and acidic mine drainage (created when natural water comes in contact with degrading minerals in the mine or mine waste piles).
Camping near abandoned mines may expose you to contaminants through the soil or stream water.
Physical safety concerns arise in and around the abandoned mines themselves. Many of the mine openings have not been safeguarded, and over the years have degraded to the point of collapse. Some mine openings have been obscured by vegetation or partial collapses.
Old structures no longer offer adequate support, and countless hazards such as rusty nails, wild animals, collapsing tunnels, and falling rocks exist in and around these mines.
Because the exact locations of many of these mines are not known, if you find one that may be a safety hazard, you should report it to the local sheriff’s office, forest service or BLM land manager, or state Department of Natural Resources with an as accurate location as possible.
A mine with open “stopes” leading up the slope. (Photo by R. Nickless)
If you want to experience gold rush mining history, there are a number of mining museums and regulated mine tour operations that can give a great experience for all ages. Check out some of the options available in Colorado, Nevada, and Idaho.
Read more about visiting abandoned mines in this previous RV LIFE article
TC, While there is no doubt it is safer to stay out of abandoned mines than to enter them, the warnings are more scare tactics than matching reality. Statistical you are more likely to be killed in a vehicle accident traveling to an old mining district than dying in an abandoned mine. The federal governments own statistics show the last person to die from entering an abandoned underground mine was in 2011. and that was because they FELL IN an old vertical mine shaft, hardly a conscious choice! Most of abandoned “mine” deaths involve drowning while swimming in abandoned rock quarries. Here is the link to the government records:
https://arlweb.msha.gov/SOSA/previousfatalstats.asp
Thanks for your thoughts, Dave. My intention was not to use “scare tactics” rather to inform people about the dangers posed by mines. While actual death statistics are one way to look at it, the number of rescues and injuries reported in and around old mines do warrant caution.
I agree Dave that often these are to some extent scare tactics but I also think as we traveled full time in our RV that we saw people taking chances and giving little regard to safety. We loved to explore these caves but only did so with ones that were open to the public and had safety factors in place.
Well, the one photo does say “Abandoned Mines Will Kill You”. The saddest thing about the whole thing is the government uses it to justify spending MILLIONS of DOLLARS a year to obliterate mines and related historic structures in the name of safety. Mining built the West, I sometimes wonder if it is more about destroying the historic legacy that mining played in building this great country. What will be left for the next generation to see and learn from??
I owned 10 patented mining claims in SW Colorado and several were closed off by the state. Mines with potential of being reopened were fitted with locked gates. The funding for these efforts were provided by coal mining industry fees. The federal government does not spend MILLIONS of DOLLARS! Historic structures are usually damaged by the weather and vandals.
I’ve done a bit of traveling around the West, and haven’t seen much evidence of mines being obliterated. Rather, I’ve found a few vertical shafts without even fencing around them, with luck there might be a sign. I’m with you on the history part – we used to think it was just fine to go tear up mountains without regard to the after-effects (some still do) and this can make for a good teaching experience
Another reason to avoid mine shafts would be bears, at least during the winter. My parents have property in northern California, and bears winter in the mine shaft on their property.
So I guess what you are saying is that this is a “Minor” problem.
My son and I have been mineshafting for years. Once he and a friend did one and believe they found it to have bad air/gas. Burning eyes and throat and a lot of coughing when they got out. Thankfully, they were only in a shirt distance and made it out.
Other than that one time we have been in a 50 or so… its what we do on our vacations together. Washington, Oregon, Nevada and now Idaho!!! Then its on to Colorado’s….
We are VERY CAUTIOUS!!! People always know where we are going and how long we will be. When in doubt we always play it safe. We have seen a lot…. lots of dynamite, bugs, critters but thankfully no bears or cougars.
I think too many of us grew up watching Little Timmy being saved by Lassie in the mine and it has scared many. Like Dave said…. they are “usually” safer than many things we do without much thought..
Some can be very dangerous. Use extreme caution if you hike at night. A friends mining claim has shafts on it from the 1800’s. Several are unmarked vertical shafts. We rolled a basketball size stone into one. Never did hear it hit bottom.
Old mines
1 Tell some one where you are going (map) and what time to expect you back. 2 to 3 hrs over time then they send help.
2 Know what you are doing. Make a plan stick to it.
3 Get a gas meter (it’s you life).
4 Research the mine if possible.
5 Take water and food. You could be longer than expected.
6 Helmets and flashlights are a must – DON’T HAVE DON’T GO!
These are the basics
R.Lewis SAR Mngr.
Just stay out of those open mines. Teenagers are the worst along with stupid adults. It’s no be ideal to use scare tactics. Many people need that slap in the face to get real and stay out of them. Then there are stupid idiots who don’t heed the warnings.
That’s my 2 cents and I am sticking with it!
I don’t see any mention of a more common threat to RV’ers when exploring mines and old mining towns… roads and landings scattered with metal debris, old nails, screws, bolts, and more. As a third generation westerner, I’ve explored mining areas for sixty years and fixed or replaced many a flat or ripped tire from these seldom seen hazards.