Pioneer Tunnel is unique, fun, and educational. You're not going on an amusement park ride or virtual tour- you are going deep into the real thing. The tour guides are locals who know the history because their families lived it. To be deep in a coal shaft and learn about the lives early coal miners lived from their own community really resonates. Be sure to bring a hoody or long sleeve shirt as it does get chilly down in the shaft, even on a hot summer day. You can buy long sleeve shirts in the gift shop as well. Military discount is available. read more

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One of the best mine tours I've been on! Tour guides were all super friendly and informative, great place to go if your in the area.

A really fascinating half-day experience, even if you have just a passing interest in coal or mining. Very rarely do you have the opportunity to travel well over 1,000 feet straight into the side of a mountain, so it is a pretty cool opportunity. That said, you will traveling straight down well over 1,000 feet into a mountain, so to state the obvious, if you have issues with claustrophobia or being in enclosed spaces, maybe hang out in the gift shop while the rest of the group does the mine tour, then join them for the (seasonal) steam train portion of the tour around the side of the mountain to view a strip mining site. There isn't a lot to do in the Ashland area, but a visit to the Pioneer Tunnel makes the trip out there worthwhile. read more

Let's bring this one up to date. NE Pennsylvania has more than it's fair share of coal mines. Most have been closed for decades, a few still operate and a couple are open for tours. Even coming here in the "offseason" Pioneer Tunnel is still a great experience. Why is it the offseason? If you've been here before or if you've done your homework you know that Pioneer is two parts. One part mine tour and one part steam train (lokie) ride/tour. If you show up in April, which is when they open for the year, only the mine tour is offered. Steam starts weekends in May and then is offered more frequently June through August. www.pioneertunnel.com/admission/ If you come for a tour during a time when both parts of the experience here are operating they are far more concise about start/end of tour times since one is scheduled to hook into the other. At least for us, our guide was very casual with his explanations and his time with answering questions. Pioneer's website lists the mine tour as 35 minutes but we got closer to 50 and it was nice to not feel rushed in the least. A few random tips: You can make reservations via their website, it just can't be same day. If you are COVID scared this trip isn't for you. You will be packed into one of the three cars potentially with other people if the trip is busy enough. Use some common sense. Pandemic and historical mine tour do not go together. Either accept the minuscule risk or wait it out until the year 3000. It's 52 degrees inside the mine year round plus if it's rained a lot recently you will get dripped on constantly during the ride in/out. Dress appropriately. The day we went the mine was far nicer than it was outside with it being in the mid-30's with snow squalls. This is a horizontal entrance mine the same as the one in Lansford versus the one in Scranton which is a 300 foot drop horizontal/backwards. Meaning that this one is well lit and easier. If you have a back issue or hemorrhoids (yeah, I went there) this one may not be for you as the ride is a bit rough and you will get shaken like a salt shaker. Unlike the Lackawanna Mine in Scranton where at least in days gone by your tour might be led by someone who actually worked in that mine (that one closed in the 60's), Pioneer closed in the 30's and that's obviously not happening. Overall for me Pioneer is a great experience. Definitely not a destination stop but if you're up here to search around Centralia, see the Big Mine Geyser, going to Knoebels or the Yuengling tour it's a good stop to see a very authentic mine that was basically left fully intact from when it closed and is reasonably priced. A+ read more

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What they don't they you is the train ride is like 5 minutes and u have to get off when you stop to let the other people on worth it though it's 11 dollars adults and 9 3-12 years old just make sure u bring a blanket to the mine train ride read more

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This was a cool visit! The mining tunnel and train ride were educational and the guides were awesome! Apparently they do themed rides over the holidays and in the fall... Definitely check this out. We came because my husband's grandfather was a minor and it made me appreciate even more what minors did over the years. read more

I enjoyed the coal mine tour, just disappointed the steam train wasn't running that day. We had reserved prior to our tour and I would recommend doing that so you don't have to wait. It is a little chilly down there so bring a sweater. The ride is also bumpy so if you have back problems be aware. There are also areas with moisture and water. We were grouped into 3 cars pushed by a little engine. You learned about the history of the mine, the workers, and the work conditions. You learned how they did their job and subsequent health problems and repercussions of the work. Our guide, Juicy, was informative, fun, and could answer all the questions put to him. He never worked the mines but had relatives that did. We got to get out of the carts and walk around. We saw some of the old equipment they used. Fascinating history. There was no social distancing in the carts and most of the people did not have on masks. I did. I purchased items in the gift store and there was sanitizer at the counter and acrylic shields in front of register. read more

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This was awesome to check out, especially on a 100 degree day. I wish I could remember the name of our guide, but he was a very knowledgable retired teacher. I went here as a kid and 20 years later it still stuck out in my mind. Definitely worth looking into. read more

Visit to the Pioneer coal mine was exciting, educational and memorable. The guide has said at least 3 times to my son, "Boy, finish a college. You do not want to be a miner" It was fascinating to learn about coal veins and how hard is to take coal out - chasing it left and right, up and down, hundreds of feet under the surface or safety. If you think that you job is hard or "a trap," get the tour of the mine and honor those brave/desperate people who did it and appreciate your clean lungs or your limbs. The tour is worth every penny of it. The sound of the wagons and blackness of coal is almost haunting. When you are out you realize that life and day lite is wonderful - how often we forget that. Nearby Ashland, PA is a very sad city like all former coal mine cities. I will just post a picture form the google because it is worth a thousand words. read more

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Very educational. Learned a lot during our tour. The mine is chilly so you might want to take a jacket.

Coal Mine Tour is 9.00 for adults. Steam train Ride is 7.00 for adults. Combo tickets are 14.50. The Coal mine tour itself is neat, if you dont have one jackets are provided. The train & coal mine tour are open in late spring, summer and early fall. Theres a gift shop, office, barn and large play area with wooden trains for children. read more

The Pioneer Tunnel - Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine - Tours Near Me - Ashland, Pennsylvania

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Interesting place to learn about the history of coal mining - the good (eg communities), the bad (eg child labor), and the tragic (eg a coal seam that's been burning underground for 50+ years). The guides are very knowledgeable and had fascinating stories. Good for kids & adults alike. My 1 star is based on safety concerns. No social distancing, and few people wearing masks. Many who did have masks were not wearing them over their noses, even the people selling tickets. (One wasn't wearing a mask at all & the other had their nose hanging out.) Drivers all had masks. I don't remember seeing any signs asking people to wear masks. People without masks were not asked to put one on. No hand sanitizer in sight. Considering that the attraction is based on squeezing people together into small carriages so they're literally touching, if you are at all concerned about covid, or immunocompromised, stay away. There was an incident - a group of people without masks wanted to get on the already very packed train that goes into the mine. One of the drivers asked a young woman to squash up to make room and she refused. No one else in that carriage (all of whom were wearing masks) made any effort to squash up either. The group ended up finding spots elsewhere in the train, but all the while the driver was yelling "a**holes" at the people who wouldn't move. Even pre-covid I would have thought that yelling expletives at customers is inappropriate, but especially now, it seems a particularly nasty way to handle such a situation, at a time when many people are worried for their health (and often their lives). I would suggest that the owners run a lot more trains at busy times. At the moment, one train runs every 45 mins (so if you miss the steam train you have to wait 90 mins for the next). It's not fair on staff to have to try to squeeze so many people in, and not fair on visitors to have to be so on top of one another. read more

I'm way behind on my reviews so let me start by saying that we visited the last weekend in May of 2019, long before anyone had heard of covid so social distancing wasn't an issue. It was pretty warm outside that day but it was still pretty chilly once we got inside of the tunnel. We only did the coal mine portion but it was so much fun and very informative, pretty bumpy ride for those who have issues so be cautious. Once inside the mine the guide walked us around and told us the history of the area (there's even a coal seam that has been burning underground for years) and we got to see lots of cool displays. The guides are really personable and make the experience very memorable. There's a cool gift shop and also a train ride for those who are interested. My favorite story, though, was the conductor was telling me about a bear that had been stopping by in the evenings to raid the trash can - sadly he had to be relocated or I definitely would have staked out the place just hoping to catch sight of him/her. read more

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090316 Fantastic history about the mining in that area. However in my opinion, you don't really need the "Loki" tour above ground. The real meat & potatoes is below ground. However you get a discount if you buy both. Good way for a family outing, very informative and you see actual equipment from that era. Bring a jacket, sweater, sweatshirt. It's between 49° and 52° inside the mine. Also your 400' in the ground. And if your claustrophobic I will say it's surprisingly roomy. Of course up top there's the prerequisite gift shop and snack bar. Also a playground area for the kids. read more

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You get a coal mine tour, where you go into an actual mine and learn about the mining techniques of the anthracite coal mining region and era. You will various cuts, shutes old coal Car, which a few were converted into passenger cars and learn about the work conditions of the miners. Then take s scenic ride behind an old steam engine from the coal mining era up the dude if the maintain and look over views and learn about the different types of mines found in the region, strip mining and bootleg mining. All in all a great place. The staff and crews and tour guides were very friendly and full of knowledge to share. Highly recommend to everyone. Also about 40 minutes from knoebels and very close to centralia and the graffiti highway. read more

Hidden gem! I really enjoyed the pioneer tunnel tour is awesome. Remember this is a real mine that closed in the 1930's. We got out of the car to walk around and Rick our tour guide gave great details on how mining worked. He knew his stuff. The mountain steam train tour offered great views and a glimpse of a mountain used for mining. They also talked about the area and illegal mining and Centralia which is out of view thanks to the shrubbery regrowing. read more

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Do not visit. The tour guide (!!) called my group "assholes" three separate times because we refused to cram tightly into a train car with maskless strangers during the middle of a pandemic. Business owners calling customers ASSHOLES?! They don't require - or even encourage - patrons to wear masks. Most didn't. Or if they did the masks were not properly worn and people did not social distance. read more

A combo ticket for both the train and mine tour is $17 approximately for adults. I highly recommend doing both of them. We did the train ride first, and although quite bumpy, was totally worth it. Both of the tour guides we had (you get a different one for each tour), were absolutely amazing, full of interesting information and seemed to know everything there is to know. The mine was 49 degrees when we went into it, so def. bring a jacket, as it's also a bit wet down there, but it's so gorgeous. You go 400 feet into the mountain and get to see lots of things. Wear walking shoes, as you will be walking a little bit. Totally worth the price, totally worth going again. They have a food court and a gift shop with awesome things and books and trinkets. read more

Good fun. Interesting and informative tour. Shows how hard others had it just trying to make a living. Bring a hoodie it is cold down in tunnel. Prepare young children ahead of time for the darkness. Bring coins for wishing well which will take their minds off where they are. read more

Hey dipsticks with smartphones. We get it: your screen can light up a dark coal mine, but you missed the point entirely that the (very great and kind) guides try to make-in total blackness your eyes can't adjust. So thanks for ruining the effect with your self-absorbed bs. Other than that, it's a good time. Use one of their jackets or brave the cold in the mine. No black lung for me, and almost a black eye for said dipsticks. read more

A very nice place to go to learn about the history and process of coal mining. Guides are very informative. It was absolutely beautiful up there also. read more

A little off the beaten path, this experience allows you to take a ride into a coal mine that was closed during the Great Depression. Take an old mine cart into the depths of the mountain and explore the veins while a certified miner explains everything you're seeing, as well as the history of the area. Considered one of the largest anthracite coal veins in the Northeast, the area still shows remnants of the coalminers' lifestyle. Then, hop aboard the salvaged Narrow Gauge Steam Train and take a trip up the mountain. From the top, you'll get a history of the area, and, if you're lucky and it's a clear day, you might catch a glimpse of the area near Centralia, Pennsylvania. When you reach the top of Mahanoy Mountain, you'll get to see another type of mining--Mammoth Stripping. We went on a rainy day, and it was still running. The history is intriguing, the trip into the depths of the mountain is incredibly bumpy, and the views from the top of the mountain are breathtaking. If you're a history buff, or just interested in the lifestyle of central Pennsylvania during the coal boom, then this is worth the stop. read more

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Was here with our car club and what a great tour. Goes into a real mine that closed in the 30s(don't worry they continue to support it). Both the guide in the mine and on the train were knowledgeable and passionate. I felt connected to my family's past in mining and learned a lot about the differences in Ashland area and Scranton area anthracite mining. You get out of the cars in the Mine and are guided on a walk to lean more. Nice picnic areas and play area for kids, gift shop and lunch counter too. read more

This is the best tour I've ever been on. For $8.50 you get to ride on little mine carts like Indiana Jones deep into the old Pioneer Tunnel and learn all about how coal is mined from a nifty Irish dude. We were in the area looking for things to do, and when this showed up on our radar we didn't expect it to be half as awesome as it was. If you're ever around the area, just go--you won't regret it. But wear some real clothes, 'cause it gets damn cold in the mine. read more

Went on Tuesday, just as amazing as I remember it from when I was a kid!!! Our tour guide, "Jack" was the best!

We ("we" being my partner in crime and I) stopped here on the way to Centralia, didn't know what to expect when we paid for the mine tour. It ended up being a pretty good time! Our guide was very nice, real and down to earth. The story he tells paints a sad picture, but it's still interesting. If you're claustrophobic I would say skip this though. I'm not claustrophobic but as the train was going down into the mine, it was pretty tight and I had to bend forward so I wouldn't hit my head. At that point I wondered if I had made a mistake but once it opened up at the end of the tunnel I felt fine. read more

Really enjoyed this tour and highly recommend purchasing the combo with the steam engine. They will tell you the story about Centralia and you'll want to see it! They don't ask for it but don't forget to tip your guides. You can tell these guys are vested un your experience. Before you make your way our there you may want to pick up chalk or spray paint because graffiti highway is less than three miles alway. read more

This is another place I may seem corny for wanting to visit again, but, oh well. The tour of the mines was very interesting and the gift shop had some goodies. Though, everybody looked at me like I had three heads when I bought a book. I also recall a pretty stellar playground. And oh, you just might see some Amish people. They're chill. read more

I visited the tunnel several times as a child but my husband had never been there. It's one of those places that as a kid you thought it was really neat but as an adult, it's lame. The "guide," although very loud, was knowledgeable. The woman who sold us the tickets was snobby. read more

Great time great people always a great time. All aboard. Food was good also and they have alot of good stuff in the gift shop.

My kids were out with my mom and learned so much about history and the area I grew up in. I would definitely recommend it. My kids had such a great time. read more

Very fun and informative tour through the mine. Are your guide was very nice and knowledgeable about the mine. Would definitely return, just what an amazing time read more

An overall great time at Pioneer Tunnel. We were traveling to nearby Centralia and made the quick trip to Ashland. We did both the train ride and mine tour, and paid the combo price of $17.10/person. The train ride was first. A short (bumpy!) ride out to the mountain, with some interesting information on mining in the area and the Centralia Mine Fire. The coolest part was the engine we rode on was one of only two in the world! The mine tour was next - a much smoother ride deep in the mine. It was very cold and water was dripping, so take a coat or hoodie, and you'll be ok. The mine tour guide was awesome! He had so much knowledge of mining in the area. Once we got inside the mine, we were able to get out and walk around exploring the mine. We also ate at the snack bar and visited the gift shop to get some souvenirs. I would recommend both tours for all ages visiting the area. We really enjoyed our time here (even more than Centralia)! read more

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We had a blast. Went on the train and down into the mine. Everyone learned something about PA coal mining history. Its not glitz and glam, its how it was when they were mining. Great adventure for the family read more