Eldorado Canyon

El Dorado Canyon in Clark County, Nevada, is a geographical area famed for its rich silver and gold mines, home to Nelson Ghost Town and Techatticup Mine.

Located about 45 minutes southeast of Las Vegas, in the heart of the Mojave Desert, El Dorado Canyon played an important role in the gold and silver mining boom in the 1860s and remains a popular destination thanks to attractions such Nelson Ghost Town and the Techatticup Mine. This remote and rugged area became an important hub for prospectors, outlaws, and fortune-seekers hoping to strike it rich and as a result, the canyon was notorious for violent disputes, gunfights, and lawlessness. Mining continued in towns such as Nelson until the 1940s, when the gold rush faded and the area area was largely abandoned.  

Eldorado Canyon has gained a new lease of life in recent years having been transformed into a tourist attraction that draws in visitors interested in the Wild West, abandoned mining towns, and stunning desert landscapes. It is also known for the scenic viewpoint know as Nelson's Landing, which once served as a docking point for Steamboats providing supplies to the mines and offers incredible panoramic views of the canyon and the desert beyond.

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Techatticup Mine
Techatticup Mine is the oldest, richest, & most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada. Dating back to the 1860s, it has been converted into a tourist attraction.
Nelson Ghost Town
Abandoned since the 1940s, Nelson is Nevada's most famous ghost town, known for its authentic Old West ruins, abandoned buildings, and desert scenery.

Related Tours

Explore Eldorado Ghost Mine: Private Jeep Tour from Las Vegas

Las Vegas is widely considered the entertainment capital of the world, offering an abundance of thrilling attractions, world-class dining, and iconic nightlife. Beyond the neon lights and bustling casinos lies an entirely different world—a land of untamed desert landscapes, legendary gold rush towns, and echoes of the Wild West. If you're a history buff fascinated by the days of gunfights, prospectors, and rugged frontier life, a visit to Eldorado Canyon and Nelson Ghost Town makes for an amazing half-day trip. Our exciting private tour takes you on a journey directly from your accommodation in Las Vegas to the canyon’s -most famous ghost mine in a customised pink Jeep, allowing you to experience a unique, off-the-beaten-path adventure that takes you back to a bygone era. In the company of a passionate local guide, you will experience the area’s captivating blend of amazing scenery and incredible stories of the Wild West.

On this half-day jeep excursion, you will:

  • Seamlessly start your journey with a convenient hotel pick up and drop off from Las Vegas;
  • Cruise through the Eldorado Canyon in a comfortable customised Jeep;
  • Capture amazing photos of the landscapes and curiosities you encounter along the way;
  • Visit Nelson, a remarkably well-preserved Wild West ghost town, once known for its lawlessness;
  • Uncover a private collection of historic cars, rustic buildings and Hollywood film backdrops;
  • See historical exhibits and antiques in a town frozen in time; 
  • Embark upon a guided tour of Techatticup Mine, the oldest and richest gold mine in Southern Nevada;
  • Explore the underground tunnels and hear riveting tales of the events that transpired there;
  • Take scenic views of the Colorado River at Nelson's Landing and find out more about the steamboats that used to dock there;
  • Enjoy the personalized attention of your private guide, who will regale you with stories about the area's colourful history, unique geological features and desert landscape;

Your immersive half-day adventure begins at your hotel, where you will hop onboard your striking pink Trekker vehicle and head south, leaving behind modern-day Las Vegas for the historic Eldorado Canyon, home to one of the most infamous and lawless mining settlements in the Old West. You will journey through the Mojave Desert in a comfortable, customized off-road Jeep, perfect for navigating the rugged terrain. Along the way, you’ll take in stunning landscapes, relics of the past, and incredible photo opportunities that capture the spirit of the Wild West.

Your first stop will be the famous Nelson Ghost town, a remarkably well-preserved Wild West mining town with buildings dating back to the 1800s. Once a lawless and violent gold mining settlement, Nelson was initially mined by Spanish explorers in the 1700s and flourished in the 1860s when people flocked from all over the country in search of gold and silver. Your guide will lead you through the town’s rustic wooden cabins, showing you historical exhibits and antiques that paint a vivid picture of the past, making Nelson a town frozen in time.

Then you will head to the Techatticup Mine, the oldest and richest gold mine in Southern Nevada, where miners once sought their fortunes—and some met tragic ends. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the mine and venture into its underground tunnels, where your guide will share riveting tales of hardships, feuds, and buried treasure, bringing the mine’s history to life. Before leaving Nelson behind, you will also have the chance to discover a private collection of historic cars and hear about how the area has been featured in many movies and TV productions.

Your guide will then take you across the vast canyonlands to Nelson’s Landing, a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the Colorado River. As you enjoy breathtaking views, your guide can tell you about the steamboats that once docked there, providing a vital link between the miners and the outside world. Once your time together comes to an end, your guide will bring you back through the desert to your hotel, having enjoyed a captivating day amongst unique historic sites that few travellers get to see.

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