Vestige mapMissouri › Bonne Terre Mine

Bonne Terre Mine

OtherEasy difficulty● Green hazardMissouri

Vast hand-dug lead mine worked from 1860 to 1962, whose lower levels flooded into a billion-gallon underground lake when the pumps shut off. West End Diving has run it as a commercial attraction for decades, and as of 2025-2026 it remains fully operational with daily walking tours, boat tours on the illuminated lake, and world-renowned guided scuba diving among submerged ore carts and staircases. Access is strictly by paid tour — this is a managed show mine, not a trespass site. The 17-story deep environment is genuinely hazardous only for divers, who must book through the operator.

Site typeOther
StateMissouri
Coordinates37.9203, -90.5551
Difficulty · EasyWalk-up access or short approach on open ground.
Hazard · GreenLow hazard — managed, publicly accessible, or structurally benign site.
Light todaySunrise 06:22 · sunset 19:48 (local) — golden hour is the first and last hour of that window
Conditions today71–84°F · 34% precip chance · wind to 7 mph
Open Bonne Terre Mine on the interactive map →

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Vestige documents abandoned & historic places for education and preservation. Always obtain permission before visiting and follow local law.