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