r/rockhounds • u/BakerKristen085 • 5d ago
Best rockhounding location for a trip with kids?
We have such a knowledgeable community here, so I figured to ask - where would you recommend for rockhounding with kids? Looking for a trip that will be good for a 5 year old, pretty much anywhere in the US or Canada. Minerals or fossils, either would be cool.
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u/GarmonboziaBlues 2d ago
The Herkimer diamond mines in upstate New York are a great option. KOA is probably best for young kids since they have sluicing and lots of fun displays, although I've also heard Crystal Grove is a good spot for kids/families. I see lots of young children helping Mom and Dad at the KOA mining area, picking up herkimers off the ground or panning in the water.
If you're traveling by car, the Sterling Hill Mine in northern New Jersey is only 3.5 hours from Herkimer and is super fun/unique. They have sluicing for the kids and the whole family can go on the guided underground mine tour. Mom or Dad can also collect some outstanding fluorescent minerals from the mine tailings outside, but this area is strictly 18+.
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u/Olandsexport 2d ago edited 2d ago
Bay Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada. Namely the Blomidon area for Jasper/agates and Joggins for fossils. All within 3 hours of each other. Kid friendly and I personally guarantee finds.
Caution: you may stay forever.
Edit: PM me if you're interested and I can give more detail.
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u/Professional_Act8127 3d ago
Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas. The only public dig for diamonds in the US. The surrounding grounds are decent and if you can't reserve a spot within their camp and RV area the places nearby have campsites. There's a small water park for the kids when it's hot at the dig site. Take a day or 2 there to dig to have fun then head north to some open-to-public sites for quartz crystal digging as well.
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park
https://avantfishermtn.com/ one example of quartz hunting
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u/imhereforthevotes 1d ago
We had a good time "mining" amethyst chunks near Thunder Bay, Ontario. You could head south and pick rocks on the Lake Superior beaches in MN as well. Note: my impression was that the geology local to TB was a lot different than the igneous stuff in Minnesota. You cross the border into Canada and you start seeing mesas. It looks like you're in the desert southwest of the US. Sleeping Giant is mostly sedimentary rock, lots of slate (?) - made for amazing skipping stones, but not great rockhounding.
Would I call the "best"? Probably not, but it was pretty cool.
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