Berkeley Pit
Berkeley Pit
4
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
66 within 3 miles
Attractions
33 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
348 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
151
Average
69
Poor
11
Terrible
10
rdsm77
Tucson, AZ394 contributions
Jun 2022
I highly recommend taking the two hour trolley tour offered by the Butte Chamber of Commerce. Going to the Berkeley Pit is one of the main attractions and is included with the tour. The tour guide gave quite a bit of history of the town and the mines. Doesn't sugarcoat it. Explains how the pit is a giant toxic lake that kills birds so they have noises and drones to keep the birds away when they're migrating. Also explained the the extensive cleanup that had to be done in the entire city to include the creek that polluted rivers miles away. Basically the entire city is a superfund cleanup site that has cost billions of dollars. They've made good progress though. Definitely interesting to see the pit from the viewing area. The only drawback of the tour was no one was wearing masks and one person on the tour was wearing a T-shirt that proudly stated she was vaccinated by the blood of Jesus. Oh boy.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
professorroyhinkley
Blacksburg, VA452 contributions
Jul 2022
On one hand, it's $3 to walk to see a pit with a toxic lake. It is interesting and hard to believe that this is pretty recent history. Noise is played to keep birds away (the lake will kill them). A few good signs describing the pit.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael H
4 contributions
Sep 2022
While the $3 admission fee won't send me to the poorhouse, it still seemed a little steep simply for the privilege of looking at what is essentially a giant hole in the ground filled with water. Would have preferred a few more exhibits/displays to provide more context and information. Good photo op, however.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jesena
Seattle, WA346 contributions
Sep 2020
We would have loved to see it, besides climing up the steep area to peek through the fence. There is a visitor center where you can pay a fee to see more of the pit and learn about it's history, but whoever is supposed to work there, probably decided to go fishing. We were there at the time it was supposed to be open and during early afternoon, but like others, we were pretty disappointed that it was closed without a reason. One of the guys also visiting said he even called earlier in the day to see how long they would be open and we all arrived 3h before closing time. Oh well...
Written September 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tracy S
Placer County, CA23 contributions
Jul 2020
We traveled with a group of 18 people. We made a quick stop at the pit. Our group entered together and they did not allow other people in while we were there. There was a recording that we were able to run to hear the information about the history of the pit. It was easy to hear and listen to.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
froglag
Spokane, WA1,354 contributions
Aug 2021
Interesting part of Butte, Anaconda mining history. Berkeley pit shows the amount of work and effort it is taking to clean up the toxic waste of the mining of years ago. Interesting how they have noise makers to keep birds, and wild animals from wandering onto the water of the pit.
Written September 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
THINGS2LIVE4
Rocky River, OH1,119 contributions
Sep 2020 • Solo
Butte, Montana has the feel of mid western west belt city. There is a lot to see and do here. The mining museum is really neat. Driving through Butte feels like driving through Pittsburgh, and I say that in a good way.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Becky P
Tacoma, WA50 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
This place is an awesome and unique sight! Must see in Butte. The thing is massive. Worth the $3 fee. Check it out. Trust me. It’s worth it! Pair it with the Mining museum for a full understanding of the importance of mining in Butte’s history.
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DayTrip26319
Bigfork, Montana105 contributions
The pit contains a poluted lake which you can't tell is poluted. There is a waterfall on the N/E side of the lake and the layers in the hills around it are neat. There is a bunch of history behind it that you can view at the observation area after going through a walking tunnel through a hill to get there.
Written May 13, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MongoSchwartz
Traverse City, MI642 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Viewing the Berkeley Pit and reading the displays and listening to the recordings you would think the mining companies were environmental stewards and great corporate citizens. After all, they say, they razed whole communities to make way for their environmental scars and, we are told, the citizens *loved* being displaced. And then, one photograph actually shows a gorgeous classic building being buried in "waste" material.
There is little negative reference to the highly acidic water that has built up in the pit, only that that the levels shouldn't be a concern until 2023 (????!!!!).
You would think all is good here in the "pit." I thought, rather, I was seeing Dante's fourth circle of hell: the one related to avarice.
There is little negative reference to the highly acidic water that has built up in the pit, only that that the levels shouldn't be a concern until 2023 (????!!!!).
You would think all is good here in the "pit." I thought, rather, I was seeing Dante's fourth circle of hell: the one related to avarice.
Written September 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
greatauntie27
Prior Lake, MN52 contributions
Please provide hours and admission fee information for a visit in late June.
Michael K
Castle Rock, CO45 contributions
Don’t mind Richard & gerleg12, they were never taught manners or how to even be helpful to a lady. Hours are from 8am to 8pm Mon-Sat. 8-6 on Sunday. Have s great summer! Though I’d call anyways like girlyman said just in case. Sign at the entrance said closes at 5
Berkeley Pit (Butte) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Berkeley Pit
- Hotels near Berkeley Pit:
- (4.24 mi) Toad Hall Manor Bed and Breakfast
- (0.98 mi) Finlen Hotel and Inn
- (2.88 mi) Holiday Inn Express and Suites Butte
- (3.62 mi) Hampton Inn Butte
- (3.18 mi) Best Western Plus Butte Plaza Inn
- Restaurants near Berkeley Pit:
- (1.00 mi) Uptown Cafe
- (1.02 mi) Sparky's Garage
- (1.46 mi) Casagranda's Steakhouse
- (1.10 mi) Metals Sports Bar and Grill
- (1.06 mi) La Casa Toscana Italian Food & Catering