Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour | Scranton

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, Pennsylvania, offers visitors an authentic and immersive experience exploring the region’s historic anthracite coal mining heritage. The tour allows you to descend approximately 300 feet underground into a restored coal mine that originally opened in 1860. It provides a rare chance to see firsthand the conditions, tools, and techniques miners used over a century ago.

Location and Setting

The mine is located at 1 Bald Mountain Road within McDade Park in Scranton. The site includes an interpretive center where visitors gather before the tour. This center features educational exhibits and a theater where an introductory video explains the history of anthracite coal mining in northeastern Pennsylvania and the significance of the Lackawanna Coal Region. Free parking is available on-site, including handicapped and motor coach spaces.

The Underground Tour Experience

The highlight of the visit is the guided underground tour led by knowledgeable guides, often former miners or descendants of mining families. This adds a personal and authentic touch to the storytelling. After a safety briefing, visitors board a mine car and descend via a vertical shaft approximately 300 feet underground.

Once inside, the tour takes you through roughly half a mile of tunnels and passageways. You will see and learn about three distinct veins of hard anthracite coal, the toughest and cleanest type of coal historically mined in the region.

The guides describe the daily life of miners and introduce visitors to the various roles underground, such as:

Mule Boys: Workers who handled the mules that pulled coal carts through the tunnels.

Nippers: Miners who cut coal from the seams.

Muckers and Loaders: Those responsible for breaking and loading coal onto carts.

The tour also explains the dangerous and difficult working conditions miners faced, including low ceilings, tight spaces, and the risk of mine collapses or gas explosions.

The temperature underground remains a constant 53°F (12°C) year-round, so visitors are advised to bring a light jacket or sweater. Comfortable, closed-toe footwear is recommended due to uneven terrain.

Hours and Seasonality

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is seasonal and operates from April through November. Tours are available Friday through Monday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with the last tour departing at 3:00 PM (visitors must arrive by 2:15 PM to join the last tour). The mine is closed on Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving Day.

Because operating hours can vary, it is advisable to check the current schedule before planning your visit.

Admission and Group Visits

Ticket prices are affordable and vary slightly depending on age and status:

Adults (ages 13–64): $10.00

Seniors (65+): $9.50

Military personnel: $9.00

Children (ages 3–12): $7.50

Children under 3: Free

Group tours for schools, civic organizations, and motor coach groups of 20 or more are available by reservation and often include special educational programs.

Accessibility and Visitor Facilities

The mine has limited accessibility for visitors with mobility impairments. It is recommended to contact the tour office ahead of time for details on specific accommodations and limitations.

The interpretive center offers restrooms, seating areas, and a gift shop with mining-related souvenirs. Visitors can also watch the introductory video about the anthracite mining industry while waiting for their scheduled tour.

Nearby Attractions

Close to the mine tour is the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, which provides additional historical context on the coal industry’s impact on the region’s economy, culture, and immigrant communities. Many visitors choose to combine both experiences for a comprehensive understanding of coal mining heritage in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Contact Information

Address: 1 Bald Mountain Road, McDade Park, Scranton, PA 18504

Phone: (570) 963-6463

Summary

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour is an educational, engaging, and memorable way to connect with the region’s coal mining past. It offers a rare underground adventure guided by knowledgeable experts and reveals the tough, often dangerous work that shaped northeastern Pennsylvania’s history and economy. This tour is well-suited for families, school groups, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in industrial heritage.