Gold Country and Ghost Towns

USA Gold Country and Ghost Towns – Mining History Tour of the American West

Retrace the history of America’s West on our comfortable adventure travel tours from San Francisco to Salt Lake City.

This tour follows the terrain of the Gold Rush and other mining ventures that helped settle America’s West. It’s a perfect tour guided in small groups for the nature enthusiast, photographer, and western history buffs. Our small group policy allows us to take you on back roads, stay in unique historic hotels and visit smaller museums.

These history tours through California’s und Nevada’s gold country und ghost towns provide comfortable accommodations, traveling in a tour van, and exploring many exciting places on walks and easy hikes. With no more than 12 passengers and knowledgeable guide and driver this sightseeing and history tour offers you a chance to relax and discover the unexplored.

Bodie Ghost Town, California

Highlights:

Yosemite N.P.

Tonopah Silver Mine

Ely, Nevada Railroad

Great Basin N.P.

Virginia City sunrise

Top Attractions – Gold Country and Ghost Towns:

Experience the California Gold Rush in the gold-studded region of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Stay in historic Tonopah and Ely, both laden with typical western mining history.
Discover for yourself Yosemite National Park and witness the splendors John Muir fought so hard to preserve.
Trace the networks of roads and rails that connect the vast expanses of America’s West–from the overland routes, the way stations of the Pony Express, and the19th century steam railways, to Nevada’s Rt. 50 – the loneliest road in America.
Explore the remote Great Basin National Park and hike to visit the oldest trees in the world, the Bristlecone Pines.
Take in the beauty of California’s two most stunning lakes, Lake Tahoe and Mono Lake.
Visit two beautiful cities of the West: San Francisco, California and Salt Lake City, Capitol of Utah.

Route Map: Gold Country and Ghost Towns. Mining History Tour of the American West

View the Daily Schedule Itinerary 10 Days / 9 Nights

Dates and Rates for Mining History Tour/Gold & Ghost Towns:

San Francisco – Yosemite/Lake Tahoe/Great Basin NP – Salt Lake City

Fri, June 27 – Sun, July 6, 2025
Fri, Oct. 3 – Sun, Oct. 12, 2025

Price – 10 Days /9 Nights

Per Person, Double Room, US $3060
Single Room Upcharge, US $820

Click here to find information about connecting this tour with the 8-day North to Yellowstone National Park tour starting in Salt Lake City – combo discounts!

Adventure Travel Tours of Gold Country and Ghost Towns Schedule Page

Our schedules page will familiarize you with the day to day activities and locations visited on these tours of California and Nevada. We offer details and pictures to give you an accurate idea of what a day with Travel Dream West is like. With entertaining, knowledgeable guides and a variety of activities these adventure travel tours provide an unforgettable experience. NEW in 2020: one additional day with highlights of Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine and the Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island. Updated itinerary will be published soon.

Our Accommodations

Silver Maple Inn, Bridgeport

Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah

Carlton Hotel, Salt Lake City

Adventure Travel – Comfortable Accommodations – Travel Dream West has carefully chosen hotels that provide comfort, charm and a unique experience. This travel tour features a variety of quality accommodations specific to each area we visit. You will stay in middle class hotels, some have swimming pools, breakfast and a variety of amenities. Some hotels are chosen for their originality and/or historical significance. Small group tour accommodation is included from the first tour night in San Francisco, California to the last tour night in Salt Lake City, Utah. We are happy to help you in booking additional nights should you choose to stay longer at the beginning or end of your tour.

The Sierra Nevada Awaits You

Sierra Nevada mountain range
Capture with your camera the mountain landscapes at the heart of California’s Gold Country. The interactive links on the schedule pages allow you to browse photos of what you will see during your small group adventure tour.