Hendersonville: Gem Mining & Goat Farm with Crystal Store

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (468 reviews) 96% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/6

Duration2h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Mine Gems, Pet Goats, Browse 10,000 Crystals in One Afternoon

You mine for gems and fossils in rushing water channels, keep whatever you find, then spend time with goats and peacocks on the farm. The aviary and creek are open to explore at your own pace, and the on-site crystal store gives you time to browse without pressure. Everything is included except any crystals you buy in the shop, and the whole outing takes a few hours depending on how long you linger.

Step-by-step itinerary

Gem mining and farm exploration

Mine for gems and fossils
Keep your finds
Visit goats at goat barn
See peacocks and pheasants in aviary
Explore crystal and fossil store

The Experience

The woman running the gem flume station handed me a small pan and pointed to the water rushing past. "Just swirl it like you're panning for gold," she said, already turning to help the family next to us. That's how it starts at this place outside Hendersonville — no long introduction, no waiting around. You show up, grab your equipment, and within minutes you're actually mining for gems and fossils in the water channels. Some people find quartz, some find small amethyst pieces, some find nothing but keep looking anyway. Whatever you pull out of the flume, you keep. That part matters.

After the mining, the farm opens up. The goat barn is small and crowded on busy days, but the goats don't care — they'll eat from your hand if you let them, and kids especially lose their minds over that. There's an aviary with peacocks and pheasants you can walk through, and a creek running through the property where you can explore if the mood strikes. The whole thing feels less like a choreographed tour and more like you've been given access to someone's property and told to wander. No guide narrating every five minutes, no "stay with the group" announcements.

The crystal store is the real draw for some people. It's genuinely massive — North Carolina's largest, they say — and you could spend an hour in there if you wanted to. Rough chunks, polished pieces, jewelry, decorative stuff. Prices run the full range, so you're not forced to buy anything expensive. A lot of people pick up a small souvenir just because they're there and the selection is hard to ignore.

The whole experience is wheelchair accessible, and strollers work fine if you're bringing small kids. The mining part can happen indoors or outdoors depending on the weather, so rain doesn't shut it down. Bring a change of clothes or at least a towel if you're going to be serious about the water flumes — you will get wet.

What’s included

Your visit includes access to the gem mining flumes with all equipment provided, the goat barn where you can pet and feed the animals, the aviary with peacocks and pheasants, creek exploration, and an obstacle course on the property.
You also get to browse North Carolina's largest crystal and fossil store.
Parking is included.
Any crystals or items you purchase in the shop are separate from the admission price.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

Is this one for you?This works well if you want a hands-on activity that doesn't require a guide or a strict schedule — you show up, mine for gems at your own pace, spend time with animals, and leave when you're ready. It's accessible for families with small children, strollers, and wheelchairs, which is what makes it possible to bring everyone along without planning around mobility.