top of page
SUMMER ROCKHOUND TRIPS 2025
Please check the age requirements in the descriptions of the tours
ALL TOURS ARE $40 PER PERSON, CASH ONLY as you are paying the property owner
ITEMS TO BRING:
BASIC GARDEN TOOLS
COLLECTION BUCKET
HAND SIFTER
STANDARD SHOVEL
TOWEL AND CHANGE OF CLOTHING
OLD SHOES AND CLOTHES THAT YOU DO NOT MIND GETTING DIRTY, RIPPED, OR STAINED
IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU PACK WATER, BUG SPRAY, AND A LUNCH FOR EACH TOUR.
NO HEAVY EQUIPMENT, POWER TOOLS, OR DREDGES ALLOWED ON ANY OF THE TOURS.
June 8th
Propst Ruby Farm
We will be meeting at
3668 Startown Rd, Maiden NC, at 10 am, parking at the dig site.
This is a high-impact tour in red clay open for all ages, 10 and under FREE with paid adult, make sure to bring old clothing, a change of clothing, sun block and a shade source, water, digging tools, and a bucket for collecting.
Finding rubies, sapphires, and aquamarine.
July 13th
Vilas NC
*New Location*
We will be meeting at 9:30 am at 731 Laurel Branch Rd, Vilas, NC.
This location is Private Property.
Please do not show up before the tour date!
This tour is open to all ages!
This area really took a hit from Hurricane Helene, but we're excited to get out there! We'll be exploring a river that was widened by the floodwaters, searching for beautiful stones like citrine, peridot, moonstone, unakite, ruby, and sapphire. We've found these gems on the property before the hurricane, so it’s a great opportunity to learn what we look for when checking if a site is perfect for a rock-hounding adventure.
August 17th
Sampson Gold Panning
We will be meeting at McCoy Minerals at 7:45 am and leaving the parking lot at 8 am. This location is Private Property, so the address will not be released.
This tour has a lot of hiking downhill to the creek but is open to ages 7+, make sure to bring old clothing, a change of clothing, sun block and a shade source, water, digging tools, and a bucket for collecting.
Finding gold, citrine, topaz, and sapphire.
September 7th
Appalachian Caverns
Wild Cave Tour
We will be meeting at 420 Cave Hill Rd, Blountville, TN 37617 at 10 am.
This tour is through the wild part of Appalachian Caverns, through areas that most do not get to see, open to all ages, but there is an area where you will be in deep water. Tight spaces and tunnels are optional if you want to challenge yourself. Be ready to get wet and muddy. This is a learning trip, collecting stones from the ground surface only.
You will need to bring clothing that you will not mind getting wet, muddy, and possibly torn, a change of clothing, and a towel.
bottom of page