Recreational activities using mining gear is what is called recreational mining. This is actually the kind of mining that individuals do in their leisure time, and is not to be mistaken for industrial mining.

Thermal City Gold Mine

Thermal City Gold Mine is definitely the very best recognized recreational gold mining camp on the East Coast. The western part of NC is rich in many commercial minerals and diamonds, and you may dig for emerald, citrine, rose quartz, rubies, aventurine, moonstone, smoky quartz, tourmaline and much more.

Thermal City is definitely reachable by car. It is halfway between Marion and Rutherford on the county line. If you are coming from the Rutherfordton/Marion exit on I-40 then simply head south towards Rutherfordton for around 8 miles. Follow then the directions to the mine.

It's very affordable to stay at Thermal City and may fit everybody's budget. You can camp on the riverside for as low as $15.00 per night or get a cabin with double beds, a bath and a kitchenette with a microwave for $50.00.

You can bring your own personal mining gear or you can buy it from them. They're authorized resellers of Keene Engineering equipment and can offer you pumps, hi-bankers/dredges, prospecting and mining supplies, gold pans, an array of prospecting books, sluice boxes and many more.

The Lucky Strike Recreational Gold and Gem Mine Lucky Strike is yet another recreational facility in North Carolina. The camping site is found in Vein Mountain in the Marion County, quite close to Thermal City Gold mine, and is available to public, throughout the year, from 8am to 7pm.

There are a great restaurant at Lucky Strike which is called the Miner's Diner which is excellent.

Cotton Patch Gold Mine & Campground

Cotton Patch is another well-known recreational mining site positioned in New London, NC. Their store comes with a great deal of prospecting supplies and they also organize online classes for beginners.

You can camp here for $15 a night and you may get consistent discounts if you stay longer. You can book an entire month of RV camping for around $350. All you have to do is generate a call and check the unbooked time.

In New London the camp is situated on 4167 Gurley Road. If you are using a GPS device, plug in the coordinates: Longitude 80.1874, Latitude 35.4358.