GEM MINING

Gem mining at Grandfather Trout Farm and Gem Mining offers a full outdoor sluice setup with shovels, sifters, and flowing water where visitors can uncover gems from small ($15), medium ($25), or large ($50) mining buckets. With plenty of colorful stones to discover and a scenic mountain setting, it’s a fun, hands-on activity for families, kids, and anyone who enjoys finding treasures in the High Country.

Gem Mining at Grandfather Trout Farm and Gem Mining

Gem mining at Grandfather Trout Farm and Gem Mining is one of those classic High Country activities that feels fun for every age, whether you’re a kid discovering your first crystal or an adult who just loves the hands-on experience of sifting through real mountain dirt. Set right beside the trout ponds and surrounded by Banner Elk’s peaceful wooded scenery, the gem mining area features a full outdoor sluice setup — long running water troughs, wooden benches, rustic flumes, sifters, shovels, and plenty of space for families to dig in and uncover hidden treasures. It’s a simple activity, but with the sound of flowing water, the feel of cool mountain air, and the excitement of finding colorful stones, it creates an experience that sticks with you long after you leave.

Visitors choose from three bucket sizes depending on how big an adventure they want:

Small Bucket — $15
Medium Bucket — $25
Large Bucket — $50

Each bucket is loaded with a mix of local and exotic stones, crystals, gemstones, and minerals, meaning you’re guaranteed to find something shiny no matter which size you pick. Kids especially love the thrill of washing away the mud and suddenly revealing colorful gems beneath the surface — quartz, amethyst, citrine, pyrite, rose quartz, and more. The sluice setup is designed to be incredibly easy to use: just fill your sifter with dirt, shake it through the flowing water, and watch as the gems appear. Staff members are nearby to help identify stones, explain their names and origins, or answer questions about what you’ve discovered.

The whole area is relaxed, scenic, and extremely family-friendly. It’s shaded by trees, close to the ponds, and feels like its own little mountain treasure camp. Many families pair gem mining with trout fishing so the kids can alternate between the two activities or so everyone leaves with both fresh fish and a handful of sparkling gems. Whether you’re making memories, collecting souvenirs, or simply enjoying a calm, hands-on experience outdoors, gem mining at Grandfather Trout Farm and Gem Mining is one of the most charming and rewarding stops in Banner Elk.

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OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THIS LOCATION

Pond Fishing Grandfather Trout Farm NC

Fishing at Grandfather Trout Farm and Gem Mining offers a simple, no-license-needed experience where families catch-and-keep rainbow trout from well-stocked ponds using gear provided onsite. With friendly staff and beautiful mountain surroundings, it’s an easy and memorable way to enjoy Banner Elk’s outdoors.