If you’re looking for gem mining in Ohio, you don’t need to drive to the mountains or book a trip out of state. Our outdoor mining sluice at Fox’s High Rock Farm in Logan, Ohio lets you sift through bags of mining rough to find real gemstones, fossils, and even shark teeth. The experience is fun for all ages, takes only about 20 to 45 minutes depending on your bag size, and makes a great addition to any Hocking Hills day.
How Our Gem Mining Sluice Works
Our sluice is a long, water-filled trough set up outdoors near the animal areas. You pick a bag of mining rough from our selection (we have six sizes available), pour it into the sluice screen, and use the running water to wash away the sand and dirt. What stays in the screen are your gemstones, minerals, and fossils.
You don’t need any special skills or equipment. We supply the sluice, the water, and identification cards so you can figure out what you found. Every bag comes pre-loaded with a mix of stones and specimens, so you can count on finding something in every pour.
Kids love it because it feels like a real treasure hunt. Parents love it because the whole activity happens in one spot, it keeps everyone busy, and you walk away with something to take home.
Gem Mining Bag Options and Pricing
We offer six bag sizes so you can pick the one that fits your group and budget.
| Bag Name | Weight | Price | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay Dirt | 3 lb | $10 | Quick introduction, younger kids |
| Tumbled Treasures | 3 lb | $12 | Polished stone variety |
| Lucky Strike | 5 lb | $15 | Families, first-timers |
| Earth Explorer | 5 lb | $18 | Bigger variety of specimens |
| Mother Lode | 10 lb | $30 | Most popular, best overall value |
| Mega Strike | 20 lb | $60 | Groups, collectors, extended mining sessions |
The Mother Lode (10 lb for $30) is our most popular bag. It gives you a solid 30 to 45 minutes of sifting time and produces enough stones to fill a small collection bag. Families with two or three kids often split a Mother Lode or Mega Strike.
What You Can Find at Our Gem Mine
The mining rough in our bags includes gemstones from around the world. Common finds include amethyst, quartz, jasper, agate, pyrite (fool’s gold), arrowheads, and shark teeth. The variety depends on your bag, and larger bags tend to include more types of specimens.
Every gem and fossil you pull from the sluice is yours to keep. We provide identification cards at the sluice so you can match your finds to names, and our staff can help if you are not sure what you are looking at.
Some kids get hooked on collecting and come back to add to their treasure stash. If your group is into rocks, minerals, or natural science, this is a hands-on way to explore geology outside of the classroom. It’s the kind of experience that both kids and adults enjoy. Many people even share their best finds on social media after their trip!
When to Come Gem Mining
Our gem mining sluice is open during regular farm hours. Below is the 2026 schedule:
- April 4 to May 24: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 5pm
- May 25 to August 14: Daily, 10am to 5pm
- August 15 to October 25: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 5pm
No reservation is needed for gem mining. Walk up to the sluice, pick your bag, and start sifting. If you’re combining gem mining with a visit to our petting zoo, plan for 2 to 3 hours total.
Gem mining is also available as part of our school field trips. Field trips run by reservation in April, May, September, and October, with gem mining priced at $9.50 per student. The combo package (petting zoo plus gem mining) is $16.00 per student. A $150 deposit reserves the date and applies to the bill, with a $150 minimum.
Tips for Your Visit
A few things to know before you head to the sluice:
- Dress for water. The sluice uses running water, so hands and sleeves may get wet. Roll up your sleeves or wear clothes you don’t mind getting splashed.
- Bring a container. We provide identification cards, but bringing a small bag or container for your finds makes it easier to carry them home.
- Combine activities. Gem mining, the petting zoo, and the gift shop are all on the same property. You can do everything in one visit without driving between stops.
- Check the weather. The sluice is outdoors. We are open rain or shine during regular hours, but sunny days are more comfortable for mining.
Why Our Hocking Hills Gem Mine Stands Out
Most gem mining in Ohio happens at seasonal attractions and state park gift shops with a small tray of pre-bagged stones. Our sluice is a full outdoor gem mine station with running water, six bag sizes, and enough space for groups of all sizes. You get the real gold rush feeling of washing through rough and pulling out something worth keeping. It’s the kind of experience where kids ask to come back, and they actually remember what they found.
Add in our petting zoo (meet our goats, alpacas, donkeys, and more for $7 per person ages 2 and up), and you have a full morning or afternoon built around hands-on activities that do not involve a screen.
We are at 14977 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, right in the Hocking Hills area, about 60 minutes from Columbus. Call us at (740) 370-0800 or check out our gem mining page for more details. Come dig for treasure and take home something real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go gem mining in Ohio?
Fox’s High Rock Farm in Logan, Ohio, has an outdoor gem mining sluice open during regular farm hours from April through October. No reservation is needed.
How much does gem mining cost at Fox’s High Rock Farm?
Gem mining bags range from $10 (3 lb Pay Dirt) to $60 (20 lb Mega Strike). The most popular option is the Mother Lode at $30 for 10 pounds of mining rough.
What gemstones can you find at Fox’s High Rock Farm?
Common finds include amethyst, quartz, jasper, agate, pyrite (fool’s gold), arrowheads, and shark teeth. The variety depends on the bag size you choose.
Is gem mining good for young kids?
Yes. Kids as young as 2 can participate with a parent’s help. The water sluice is hands-on and easy to use. The Pay Dirt and Lucky Strike bags work well for younger children.
Do I need a reservation for gem mining?
No. Gem mining is walk-up only during regular farm hours. Just come to the sluice, pick your bag, and start sifting. School field trips do require a reservation.
Can I do gem mining and the petting zoo in the same visit?
Yes. The gem mining sluice, petting zoo, and gift shop are all on the same property. Most groups spend 2 to 3 hours doing everything.
Grab a bag, pour it into the sluice, and take home real gemstones and fossils from your trip to Hocking Hills. Call (740) 370-0800 or stop by our gem mining page to plan your trip.