This was a different kind of a place, a Superfund site turned into a tourist attraction. The history is that it became more economical to strip mine versus underground mine. The mine was closed and the water that had been pumped was stopped. The pit filled from the surrounding mines and the water is toxic. There are air cannons and other noise makers that scare off birds that go off on an irregular basis. There is good news...the water is being cleaned and reclaimed and is being used in an adjacent mining operation and the plan is to return the water to a pristine state and reactivate the creek that has been diverted.

Cool to listen to the history, and learn a little more about the area. It may be a big toxic pit, but it’s pretty, and also pretty darned interesting.

The office was closed, but the viewing stand was open. Very interesting and informative boards were on display. More impactful was the memorial on the far side of the mine property on the hill. It memorializes the 2,500 miners who perished in the last 100 or so years of working these mines. Drive around and find your way. Its worth it.

I have driven past this mine several times and have always been curious about what actually goes on at the place. Finally had an opportunity to swing in while on a trip through the state. Only $3 to get in. Good view from the platform. Didnt realize the mine is still functioning and extracting materials. The Berkeley Pit is just one part of the mine.Remember, this is a viewing platform, not a museum or a guided tour.

Gentleman in the center was very kind.The place was nice and clean.The information over the speakers in the viewing area was interesting. I definitely learned a few things that day.

A lot of history. Short visit. Cheap.Easy access from downtown

It is a cool place to see the pit. There is some basic information available. There is a small fee to get in as well.

This is such a interesting point of interest in our travels. The history behind its so educating. If you really like history...!

Makes for a great stop when driving from Yellowstone to Glacier. Entrance fee is $3. The view of the Berkley Pit is amazing and there is a small “Museum” that informs you about the history. You won’t spent a long time there, but it’s very informative and interesting.

Definitely worth the $3 to enter tunnel to reach pit and view up close. Great little gift shop with beautiful copper jewelry and kitchenware, etc. Large boards to read history and see old photos; also a narrated audio voice re: history and current operations via speakers while you view the pit.

1 star for the existance of this Super Fund Site. The Viewing Stand is a solid viewing stand and the staff was super friendly and helpful. I cant bring myself to write a positive review for an environmental disaster.

Pretty neat view. Was hard to tell it was o pop on however, due to their Covid signs.

The lake/pit is very beautiful with a great reflection.

Its a pit. Cute gift shop. Inexpensive stop if you want to site see and learn a bit about the history there. Nice place to burn 15 or 20 minutes.

3$for an adult. 20-25 minute stop. Small tunnel leads toa nice viewing platform. Much of the nice is filled in with water. Audio and well as interpretive signs (though the signs are staying to show their age.) Bathrooms closed due to covid 7/30/20

If you manage to be a part of the trolley tour then the guide as a lot of information and history about the pit. It was very interesting learning the history about it plus all the new technology used to prevent wildlife from entering the pit.

Cute stop with some interesting information. The woman in the shop was extremely friendly and the view outside is impressive. She was kind enough to warn us about the noises they set off to keep the birds out of the water which was highly appreciated as an Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran. A quick inexpensive educational stop for those nearby.

What a hole in the ground...haha. This was a site to see, for sure. Amazing what we as humans are capable of. Moving mountains, crazy stuff.

Me recordó a Petaquilla en Panamá pero sin el turismo?, impressive lake was formed by copper mining now is very acidic due to heavy metals, straight forward went during CoVid so it was not crowded mask were required

For some reason there is an entry fee but the hole is a good one.

Interesting macro engineering project and how the people involved didnt take care of the environment. Good example of how not to finish the project.

The woman behind the counter in the store was super nice. The view of the pit was pretty cool and definitely worth a quick stop...

Really cool place with great views! Came across this place while traveling in Montana

It is a definite must see with minimal admission cost. It has amazing history to it. You can overlook the pit itself and hear about the history and the future plans for clean up. Definitely take the time to take a look at it and hear the commentary.

Good price, but very little information about the Pit. Really could use some more history, even a little museum section, really just something. Anyway, aside from some serious hiking, this is the only way to see the pit so pony up your 3 bucks.

This place is mind blowing. The shear scale of the mine and the length of time it will take to clean up is crazy.

It was really cool to hear about the history and the viewing area was neat and safe for kids. The gift shop was also very cool.

If you were in Butte Montana, and have even a slightest interest in history or mining the Berkeley pit is a must do visit. It only cost a couple dollars and only takes a few minutes to view. The staff at the gift shop was amazingly friendly and full of fun facts!

Very interesting. Exhibits and a recorded message explains history.

I went to show some friends the Berkley Pit, as they had never seen it before. The staff at the gift shop were friendly and we purchased our tickets for a very reasonable fee for entry to the tunnel which lead to the observation platform. Once on the platform, there were displays talking about the pit and the mining in the Butte area. It was fascinating. There were before pictures of the depth of the pit and then the pit with water. It was a good visit.

Great stop. Nice knowong some of the mining history. Cool tunnel. Free bathrooms. And free trolley car

An enjoyable summary of mining in Butte, Montana and the ingenious choices made to protect the environment.

It provides some information but I didnt find it super interesting or impressive.

So much history, had no idea. Would have loved to see more. When I return I will plan a second visit.

I grew up near the Pit. Its an important part of Butte history.

Its a lake. The history, though, is interesting. Its a cheap way to learn something and see it in real life, which is an acceptable form for making a memory. You can look through the spying glass and still see trucks miles away making their way to the production sites. Kinda cool. And if you stay long enough, you can hear and see explosions from the current excavations. Also cool. They also have a neat little shop you can buy stuff from. I dont usually spend much at places like this, but they had a few items worthy of my money. An inexpensive and quick adventure, but totally worth it.

Great view of the pit. Lots of information. The booms you hear are charges to scare the birds away to decrease the death rate from the toxic water.

So cool to see this #1 Atlas Obscura spot! They are cleaning the water now, so the colors are not as bright. But the birds that land in the water are living much longer!

Amazing view. Was visiting the mining museum and came here right after. You can see the water pumping plant on the other side of the pit and can even hear the 3rd largest copper mine in the USA in action!

This is a quick stop on your way to other things. It only cost a few dollars (when we went $2 per child $3 adult). You walk through the gift shop and through a long tunnel to overlook the pit. There is a recording that will tell you about the pit, it’s history, and current mining in the area. The employee in the gift shop was very friendly and shared information about other things to do in the area. Be sure to check out north of the gift shop the Celtic and Irish designs in the landscape.

Interesting Place to visit to see the damage open pit mining does to the land. $2 Adult Admission allows one to stand or sit on a shaded viewing platform above the lake formed when the mines pumps were shut off in 1982. The water has been back-filling ever since. The level is now approaching the ground water levels. The water is caustic, but there is no access to it and it does not smell. Listen to a recorded video while you observe.There is a nice park-like area provided by the Anaconda, the mining company; free-parking, nicely landscaped plantings, clean restrooms, and a covered, breezy picnic area.There is also a Gift Shop where some amazing copper items are displayed.A good and interesting educational experience.

Absolutely recommend visiting this overlook and learning about the history of this site. Its important that we all gain awareness of these kinds of environmental issues and the efforts being made to repair them. Thank you for providing this educational opportunity.

We had a lot of fun and look forward to coming back

So fascinating. I highly reccomend this place to everyone! A lot of history here.

Cool place. It is small and doesnt take long to see, but it has a nice little gift shop and friendly staff. Definitely cool.

$6 for a massive whole in the ground filled with contaminated water. Despite what it sounds like, the first glimpse as you enter the viewing stand is jaw dropping.

A Butte quintessential. We always choose to bring visitors coming through town to the stand. It is informational and always a great experience. Definitely recommend.One downside is that there have been a lot of new decisions made about remediation and water treatment, so the information is not as up to date as I would like to see. If you want to learn more the attendant usually has information.

Really interesting stuff!! The gal working there is so sweet. Seeing the pit and hearing the sounds they have going off to keep birds away from their death is super cool. Intriguing facts to read about the mining there too!

Neat to see. Parking are needs some care.

What a cool pit of death and poison acid minerals. Wish we could have gotten closer would have liked to dip a toe in but hey whatever

Change your times online and in maps! Drove here for nothing!

Cheap admission and kind attendants. Very educational, however, this is not a spot that will take very long.

Very cool place to view an old historic Copper Mine. Totally worth the stop.

Cool place decent price!

Hands down the best toxic superfund site you can view for $2.

Having grown up in Butte half of my youthful life, Ive been to this site numerous times. In my early years I can still remember man & equipment at the very bottom parts of the pit which is now under several feet of water. The amount of material that came out of the pit is astounding. Now the work is about improving the water quality so as to be less metallically toxic. I miss the BIG haul truck they used to have to the west of the view stand, but its to see the view stand is still their, & much improved over what it once was, & speakers function as they should, & better then they did before. One usually doesnt stay long, but its definitely place to occasionally come back & visit from time to time. I do.

A modest 3 dollars a person to see the Berkeley Pit. The Pit is a highly acidic mining pit filled with ground water. We were glad we stopped but even though $3 is modest, it is a bit much for the view.

Old pit copper mine now filled with polluted water. They charge $3 for adults to look at it and hear a recording about it. There are a few historic photos on display. They have audible noises going off to keep the birds from landing on the water as it will kill them. We spent about 10 minutes there.

Also liked their copper souvenir shop.

It is exactly as described. It is a giant pit. Do not expect anything more.

Only a few buck to get in, worth visiting if youre in Butte. I like that they bring awareness to an environmental boo-boo that they made and educate people about it

A hole filled with poisonous water. This was supposed to be the hallmark of the tour.

Great view of the Berkeley Pit! Long live Lord Berkeley!

My wife and I are currently traveling cross country and figured we would stop in to check it out. The pit was pretty cool, and gave some good insight to mining back then. However, even if history isnt your thing, I suggest stopping in just for the hospitality alone. The woman running the gift shop was incredibly informative, lively, and breathe of fresh air. She made the visit to Butte worth while. Definitely worth checking out!

In need of some updated informational displays.

Its an experience in it self, the pit has a lot of history. I was surprised at the ups and downs its gone through over its long existence.

This monument to shortsightedness looks pretty, but its a toxic mess. Educational, should be part of any tour of Butte and Montana mining. The staff were very helpful.

Its a big pit!

Been coming here since I was a baby. My grandfather worked for the anaconda company. This place means alot to my memories. Never will forget it.

Very cool spot. It was pretty neat learning the history of the pit.

Oil change lot last time I really looked and Dave it was little tiny trucks down there about as big as your little finger interview little finger but they shut the pumps off and its pretty full now I wouldnt took a look come by and see. Make your own judgments Im not please myself.

It was really cool. Epic view, interesting history about the place. In my opinion, a little over priced seeing as how its a small little viewing platform that you get to stand on and your view is partly obstructed by fences.All in all, a definitely interesting place to visit.

Clean and obviously well kept, but the information provided was rather propaganda-y. There was almost no information provided on the Pits ecological impact and what little there was downplay the damages and dangers. Not particularly useful for people interested in the real past and future of the area.

Great stop can spend 5 minutes or as long as you need! Cute gift shop!

Not a lot to see, wish there was a museum on site.

The history of this place is well documented. It is truly amazing how and why what you are looking at came to be. People in the area still live with what might be if the pit were to gaol in some way.

Its something to do I guess

Interesting and informative. Not too far out of our way and it didnt take long to see. Gift shop on site.

A short stop off if your interested in opencast mining.

What can one say about seeing the apocalypse? The whole experience felt like propaganda from the mining company that killed one of the most amazing cities in the west. You cannot look at the pit without hearing an audio track that tells you how to interpret it. The jist of which is there was no other option. This is a city full of proud people. Pay no attention to the corporate owned apocalypse. best part is how they talk about how theres no fix, the most toxic water on earth is about to overflow the banks here. Dont think about that. Look at our fancy water filter. Were using a tiny amount of water to continue mining. Its not going to save us. Its not cost effective to build a filter big enough. But check out our green technology and the miners who we barely pay!

Impressive mining history. Though it could be more informative if I didn’t come in offseason.

Great scenic views, outdoor seating and friendly staff with tasty espresso.

Great piece of American history. Just one of the amazing sites to see in Montana.

Fun and quick attraction. Pit is no longer in operation but you get a feel for the immensity of the operation. Great stop.

Such a big part of Montana history all in one place. The hopes and dreams and the brutal reality that is our life here.

An interesting close up look at a toxic pit filled with water

Absolutely an amazing thing to see and bear witness to.

5 stars mostly because the woman working inside is an amazingly kind human, as well as the fact that you can get so close to something that impacts the city so greatly. It inspires you to be bigger and better for everyone else around you.

This is a giant hole in the ground

Worth the minimal fee to get a quick piece of History! Staff at the Gift shop was so welcoming.

Cool and a little bit scary at the same time! A neat piece of history!

Great viewing location. The price seemed quite high for the small amount you can actual do/see here, but it was still a cool experience.

How could something so aesthetically amazing be the product of ignorance from our past.

It was closed so i wasnt able to get any closer than the fence. But good view still

Intresting mine pit with lots of history

A beautiful and hazardous lake, they explain how they are working to clean the water and protect the wildlife.

Nice view but expensive

Strip mining for minerals. Gotta have that copper. The owners of the mines made the money and left downtown Butte Montana a virtual ghost town. So sad.

Interesting place to check out. Cost $3 to Get in which is not bad.

Pretty cool to actually see the acid lake. Lots of information placards and even an audio clip.