Ultimate Guide to Rockhounding in New York!
Little kids love to collect rocks, even if it’s just a piece of gravel. Even older kids get a kick out of working the gemstone mining station found at Howe Caverns, High Falls Gorge,?and other rockhounding sites.
Why not capitalize on that intrinsic curiosity of nature to introduce children to geology while scoring some nifty treasures prospecting at a real working quarry? Dig for Herkimer Diamonds, and Barton Garnets, and keep your eyes open for other hidden gems as you take on the role of a geologist at rockhounds in New York.
Rockhounds in New York have several options for gem mining at fee dig sites.
Gem Mining for Herkimer Diamonds
They’re actually quartz crystals, but they sparkle like the real thing. And, if you’re lucky, you might find one big enough to turn into pendent or paperweight.
Herkimer Diamond Mines and KOA Kampground – Located 1.5 hours from Albany.
- Prospecting Admission Rates:$11.00/Adults; $9.00/Ages 5-12; Free/Ages 0-4.
- Fee Includes:All-day Prospecting; Informational video; Museum admission; Use of hammer; Zip-lock Collector’s bags.
- Go for the day, or plan a vacation at the KOA Campground.
- Group programs can be arranged a la carte, or take advantage of summer camps, home school outings, leadership programs, and Girl Scout or Boy Scout Camporees.
Crystal Grove Diamond Mine and Campground – Located 1.5 hours from Albany.
- Prospecting Admission Rates:$12.00/Adults; $10.00/Ages 5-14; Free/Ages 0-4.
- Fee Includes: All-day prospecting.
- Prospecting tools are available for rental.
- Nearby Attractions: Howe Caverns, Natural Stone Bridge & Caves; Upper Hudson River Railroad.
Ace of Diamonds Mine and Campground – Located 1.75 hours from Albany.
- Prospecting Admission Rates:? $9.50/8-Older; $4.50/Ages 7-Younger.
- Fee Includes: All-day prospecting.
- Prospecting tools are available for rental.
Gem Mining for Barton Garnets
The Barton garnet is the New York State Gem Stone. This rare garnet, found only on Gore Mountain, has “an unusual and beautiful ruby red color that flashes in the sun.”
Garnet Mine Tours – Located 1.25 hours from Albany.
- Prospecting Admission Rates: $11.95/Adults; $7.95/Ages 7-14; Free/Ages 0-6; Seniors $10.95. Any rock and gemstones collected on tour are a dollar per pound.
- Fee Includes:All-day Prospecting; Guided tour describing the history and geology of the Garnet Mine and how to find your own Garnet Gemstone; Gem cutting demonstrations.
- Nearby Attractions: Natural Stone Bridge & Caves; Upper Hudson River Railroad.
Before You Go
- Pack: Water, Sunscreen, Bug Spray, Eye Protection, Collection Bag/Bucket, Tools (They’re usually available to rent, but if you can, bring a hammer & chisel & gloves for each prospector.) Oh, and if you’re kids are anything like mine, you might want to remind them to wear shoes!
Rockhounding Library
- Rockhounding New York: A Guide to the State’s Best Rockhounding Sites
- The Rockhound’s Handbook
- Roadside Geology of New York
- Gem & Mineral Guide: Where & How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems & Minerals (Northeast Treasure Hunters)
- The Practical Geologist: The Introductory Guide to the basics of geology and to collecting and identifying rocks
- Written in Stone: A Geological History of the Northeastern United States
Rockhounding Resources
- New York Paleontological Society – Find out about meetings, field trips, and educational outreach program.
- Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth – Ithaca, NY
Rockhounding Beyond New York:
You might like:
- Howe Caverns ? Romancing the Stone in Howes Cave NY
- A Gem of a Group Program at Herkimer Diamond Mines
- High Falls Gorge, StunningAdirondacks Waterfall
- The Paleontology Portal with links to more on New York paleontology and geology.
- The Teacher-Friendly Guide to the Geology of the Northeastern U.S.: Provides teachers with an intuitive and jargon-free review of the geology of the northeastern U.S., using geological history as a central connecting theme.
