| Do you have a yen to rattle the rocks for | | | | onsite, and allows both "tailings digging" or "bank |
| gemstones? There are still many places in the | | | | digging," depending on how much you plan to |
| United States, known as "fee mining sites," where | | | | spend. You can also search mine tailings for black |
| gem prospectors can search for tourmaline, | | | | opals or "fire opals," at the Bonanza Opal Mine in |
| peridot, and other semi-precious gems. Since | | | | the Valley. A large, free campsite without |
| getting out in the great outdoors appeals to both | | | | hookups can be found at Sheldon National Wildlife |
| prospectors and RV campers, why not combine | | | | Refuge near the Bonanza Mine. |
| both passions for the best vacation ever? | | | | Gem Hunting for RV Campers - North Carolina |
| Gemstone Hunting RV Camping Ideas in California | | | | and Georgia |
| There are so many possibilities for mining | | | | A perennial family favorite in the Eastern US is |
| gem-rich ore in California, it deserves a section all | | | | Gem Mountain in Spruce Mountain, North Carolina. |
| to itself. A popular stop for gem lovers hoping to | | | | Located along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in |
| find green or pink California tourmaline is the world | | | | the area known as "Little Switzerland," this family |
| famous Himalaya Mine near Santa Ysabel in San | | | | destination offers mine tours and the chance to |
| Diego County. Prospectors can purchase buckets | | | | screen for Crabtree Emeralds and Brushy Creek |
| of gem ore to screen on-site with equipment | | | | Aquamarines. Park your RV nearby at the Bear |
| furnished by the Mine. Lake Henshaw Resort, | | | | Den in Mount Pisgah National Forest. |
| adjacent to the Mine, is a beautiful site for RV | | | | For a truly Southern gem prospecting adventure, |
| camping, lake fishing and plenty of hiking in the | | | | join the owner of the Hogg Mine near LaGrange, |
| foothills of the Palomar Mountains. | | | | Georgia most Saturday mornings for a day of |
| Another real gem for RV camping prospectors is | | | | surface fee mining for aquamarine beryls, |
| found right in the same county! Ocean-view Mine | | | | tourmaline crystals and literally boulders full of |
| in Pala, California charges a set fee that allows | | | | rose quartz! |
| gem hunters to screen fresh, un-prospected mine | | | | Gem Hunting RV Adventures - Connecticut |
| tailings all day long. Recent visitor finds include | | | | For a fantastic northeastern gem hunting |
| aquamarine and many colors of tourmaline. | | | | experience, plan some motorhome camping time |
| About two hours southwest of Fresno, screen | | | | in Connecticut. There are numerous old and |
| for benitoite, California's state gem. The California | | | | currently operating mine sites that allow |
| State Gem Mine near Coalinga is open most | | | | prospecting. |
| weekends to prospectors. Dry camp your RV at | | | | If you choose Connecticut for your next RV |
| nearby Los Gatos Creek County Park and spend | | | | camping and prospecting trip, definitely do some |
| the day sifting mine tailings near where a fabulous | | | | research on the Roxbury Falls area, where some |
| 34 carat rough benitoite was recently found! | | | | of the world's best almandine garnets have been |
| More Gem Hunting RV Camping Ideas - Nevada | | | | mined. Start at Green's Farm Garnet Mine near |
| Nevada has also been the site of fabulous | | | | Roxbury. This former mine site still yields deep |
| gemstone finds, and the Garnet Hill Recreation | | | | red garnets. |
| Area near Ely is very popular with prospectors. | | | | Another easy place to prospect in Connecticut is |
| Search two square miles of public land for likely | | | | Old Mine Park in Trumbull. The Park Rangers can |
| garnet-containing specimens, and be sure to bring | | | | guide you to a construction site where topaz, |
| your rock hammer for breaking them! Camp just | | | | beryl and an interesting form of emerald are |
| fifteen miles away at Cave Lake State Park, or | | | | being found. |
| really relish this remote region with a visit to | | | | These are only a few of the gem fee mining |
| Great Basin National Park, sixty miles east at the | | | | sites that can spark an entire RV camping |
| Utah/Nevada border. Both parks offer RV | | | | vacation. Whether you find yourself hunting |
| camping facilities. | | | | Herkimer Diamonds in New York, or digging for |
| In the remote desert of northwest Nevada near | | | | sapphires in Montana, it's a great way to spend |
| Denio, the Virgin Valley offers gem prospectors | | | | time out in the wild with your family. Dig some |
| the opportunity to mine for precious black opal at | | | | more for fee mining sites in America, and |
| three fee mining sites. Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine, | | | | prospecting is liable to become your favorite |
| has yielded gorgeous specimens. The Royal | | | | motorhome camping activity! |
| Peacock Opal Mine, has RV camping available | | | | |