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Mine Trips

Join Us In Digging For Your Own Gems At One Of Two Of Our Secluded Mines!

It’s time to get dirty! When joining us for our mine trips, you are sure to come out with some dirt under the fingernails. You will be transported to one of two of our secluded mines to dig your own! We offer trips to two of our closed to the public mines for you and your family to enjoy. You will be immersed in the natural beauty of our Blue Ridge Mountains and get to experience the excitement of finding your own treasures with this excursion.

Mine trips include transportation, equipment, and a guide. You will be transported by van to our mines approximately 20 minutes away from Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine. Your guide will educate you on what to look for, how to use your tools, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Anything you find at the mine is yours to keep!

Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting

Trip Info

On the day of your reservation, you are required to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure at Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine to sign your release form. Everyone in your party must sign the release form prior to departing for the mine. You may park your vehicle free of charge at Gem Mountain while you are at the mine. Note that we are not responsible for theft or damages to vehicles or property on-premises. We recommend arriving around 10 am – 10:15 am to provide ample time to sign your release form, use the restroom, etc.  The mine properties do not have functioning restrooms so we do recommend using the restrooms located on Gem Mountain’s main property before departing to the mine.

Trips are four hours. The van will depart at 10:30 am and return around 2:30 pm.

After the trip has concluded, you will be brought back to Gem Mountain and given the chance to clean your findings in our comfortable flume lines. After you clean your treasures off, bring them inside and let an experienced member of our team identify your rocks for free!

What to Bring

Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine does not provide water and snacks while you are on the trip. We recommend bringing enough water and snacks for your trip. You are more than welcome to bring book bags, purses, and small coolers on the trip. If you happen to forget water and snacks on the day of your reservation, our general store has lots of items to choose from!

Spruce Pine, NC Gem Mountain gem harvesting

Mine Trips are Through Reservation Only

Please make your reservations as early ahead of your visit as possible!  If you plan to visit during peak holiday periods and/or our peak season, please make sure you make your reservation as far ahead as possible as these times are filled more quickly.

Note: We require at least six people for a trip. If your party is less than six, no worries! We can book your trip with other parties.

$100 + tax for adults
$50 + tax for kids 11 years and younger

Our Mines

The Brushy Creek Mine

Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting
Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting
Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting
gem mining, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Gem mining, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Gem mining, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
gem mining, flume mining, gemstones, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting
Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting
precious gem collection, Gem Mountain, NC
Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting

A newer mine, The Brushy Creek Mine is the only active, gem-producing mine in the area that is open to the public. At this mine, you can look to find Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Garnet, Quartz, Morganite, and Golden Beryl. While visiting The Brushy Creek Mine, you will be able to dig for gems and other minerals that come from The Brushy Creek Mine itself!

The Hoot Owl Mine

Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting
Gem mining, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Gem Mountain gem mining, Spruce Pine, NC
Gem Mountain gem mining Spruce Pine, NC
Gem mining, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Spruce Pine, NC Gem Mountain gem harvesting
Spruce Pine, NC Gem Mountain gem mining
Gem mining, Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC
Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine, NC gem harvesting

One of the oldest mines in our area, The Hoot Owl Mine is a very impressive, now dormant mine. This mine was at one time home to Aquamarine that weighed up to 150 pounds! The Hoot Owl was mainly mined for Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica, but also has been known to produce Emeralds. When visiting The Hoot Owl Mine you will be able to dig through material that has been brought from other mines and mixed with material from The Hoot Owl Mine, as well as getting to explore the inside of the mine itself!