Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville

The Gem Mining and Goat Farm Walking Tour in Hendersonville offers a lively, family-focused day for just $25.99 per person. With an approximate 2-hour duration, this tour combines interactive gem and fossil mining with delightful farm visits and wildlife viewing. Starting at 2120 Brevard Rd, Hendersonville, it is open every day from 10:00AM to 6:00PM, making it accessible and flexible for most schedules.

This tour is especially appealing for those who want a hands-on experience with minerals while also enjoying animal encounters and outdoor exploration. It’s suitable for most travelers and welcomes service animals, ensuring inclusive participation. The tour’s popularity is clear, with bookings often made 14 days in advance, and it boasts a perfect 5.0 rating from 409 reviews, reflecting widespread satisfaction.

While the experience provides a variety of activities for all ages, it is particularly ideal for families seeking interactive, educational fun. The inclusion of a large crystal and fossil store adds an extra layer of excitement, offering an opportunity to browse and purchase unique specimens. The tour’s straightforward schedule and all essential mining equipment make it easy for participants to fully enjoy the activity without extra costs.

Key Points

• Affordable family adventure at $25.99 per person with a 2-hour duration.
• Hands-on gem mining along indoor and outdoor water flumes, with keep-what-you-find policy.
• Visit a goat farm with goats to feed and interact with, plus a spacious aviary featuring peacocks and pheasants.
• Access North Carolina’s largest crystal and fossil store for browsing and purchasing.
• All mining gear provided, making participation simple and hassle-free.
• Open daily from 10:00AM to 6:00PM, suitable for most schedules.

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine and Goat Farm: An Overview of the Setting

This tour begins at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, a well-loved spot in Hendersonville, NC. The site is known for offering interactive gem and fossil mining experiences designed for visitors of all ages. The indoor and outdoor water flumes provide a scenic setting for searching for semi-precious stones and fossils, which can be kept as souvenirs.

The farm component adds a charming touch, with goats in the barn that visitors can feed and interact with. Beyond the farm, the aviary showcases colorful peacocks and pheasants, adding a lively wildlife element. The crystal and fossil store is a major highlight where visitors can browse a wide selection of specimens, making it a perfect stop for collectors or curious minds.

This location’s blend of interactive mining, farm visits, and shopping creates a well-rounded family outing. The walking tour is designed to keep guests engaged with a variety of activities, all within a manageable 2-hour window.

Gem Mining at Elijah Mountain: How the Water Flumes Work

The core activity involves mining for gems and fossils using covered outdoor or indoor water flumes. All necessary equipment—such as buckets and scoops—is provided, so participants can easily jump right into the activity. The water rushing through the flumes helps reveal hidden treasures, which can then be kept as personal souvenirs.

The process is straightforward and suitable for children and adults alike. Many reviews highlight how kids especially love the chance to find real gemstones and fossils during their visit. The pace of the activity keeps it fun and engaging, with ample opportunity to discover beautiful minerals in a relaxed setting.

This mining experience stands out because no prior experience or skills are required, and the value of the treasures found makes the activity feel worthwhile. The pricing includes all equipment, so there are no hidden costs, which adds to the appeal.

Visiting the Goats and the Aviary: Farm Animals in Hendersonville

A significant part of the experience is visiting the goat barn, where feeding and interacting with goats offers a delightful farm touch. Visitors appreciate the friendly and well-maintained farm environment, making it suitable for children and families seeking animal encounters.

Along With goats, the aviary presents a variety of peacocks, pheasants, and other birds. This outdoor space adds color and movement to the visit, creating a peaceful setting for wildlife watching. The farm animals and aviary are accessible and well-kept, contributing to the tour’s reputation as a family-friendly outing.

The farm visit complements the gem mining perfectly, giving guests a chance to relax, feed animals, and enjoy the open-air surroundings after the more active water flume experience.

Exploring North Carolina’s Largest Crystal and Fossil Store

One of the tour’s standout features is access to North Carolina’s largest crystal and fossil store. Visitors can browse an impressive selection of minerals, fossils, and crystals, with many items available for purchase.

This store offers a chance to extend the experience beyond the mining activity, whether to find a special gift or add to a personal collection. Given the size and variety of specimens, the store is a major draw for those interested in geology and natural history.

Guests often report that the store’s friendly staff and extensive inventory make it easy to browse comfortably. This component adds value to the tour, making it more than just a mining experience—it becomes an opportunity for educational exploration and shopping.

Practical Details: Meeting Point and Opening Hours

The tour starts at 2120 Brevard Rd, Hendersonville, a central location with easy access. The activity runs daily from 10:00AM to 6:00PM, offering plenty of flexibility for planning your visit.

The mobile ticket system simplifies entry, and confirmation is received immediately upon booking. The tour is designed to accommodate up to 100 travelers, ensuring a lively but manageable group size.

Participants are encouraged to arrive prepared for outdoor activities, especially around the farm and aviary, and to wear comfortable clothing suitable for walking and water activities.

Family-Friendly Activities and Accessibility

The Gem Mining and Goat Farm Tour shines in its ability to cater to families with children and people of all ages. The activities are easy to participate in, with most travelers able to join without difficulty.

The experience truly shines for young children, who enjoy finding gems and feeding farm animals. The friendly staff and well-organized layout contribute to a smooth visit. On top of that, service animals are allowed, ensuring that travelers with support animals can participate comfortably.

While the physical activity is gentle, visitors should be prepared for some walking outdoors and standing during the farm and aviary visits.

The Booking Process and Cancellation Policy

Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance, which is recommended given the tour’s popularity. The ticket price is $25.99, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity, offering some flexibility in case plans change.

Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, so timely planning is advised. The full refund policy and no hidden fees make it a transparent and straightforward booking process.

Why This Tour Stands Out in Hendersonville

The combination of gemstone mining, farm visits, and access to a large mineral store makes this experience diverse and engaging. Its affordable price point and family-friendly focus appeal to a broad audience, especially those interested in hands-on mineral exploration.

Most reviews praise the friendly staff, the variety of activities, and the clean, well-maintained environment. The tour’s simplicity and inclusiveness are key strengths, making it an excellent choice for families, school groups, and curious visitors.

While it may not include elaborate guided tours or complex terrain, its charming setting and variety of activities compensate with fun and educational value.

Visiting Hendersonville’s Gem Mine and Goat Farm: Final Thoughts

This tour offers an authentic, interactive experience that combines nature, animals, and geology. For $25.99, it provides hours of engaging activities that are perfect for family outings, school trips, or anyone interested in minerals and farm animals.

The easy accessibility, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive experience make it a reliable choice. Its high reviews and consistent popularity reflect a well-executed attraction that delivers what it promises.

If you enjoy hands-on activities, wildlife, and shopping for unique specimens, this gem mining and goat farm tour deserves a spot on your Hendersonville itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, the activities are family-friendly, with options like gem mining, feeding goats, and seeing birds. It’s designed to be accessible for most ages.

How long does the tour last?
The approximate duration is 2 hours, allowing enough time to enjoy all activities without feeling rushed.

Can I keep the gems I find?
Absolutely. The tour includes all mining equipment, and you keep whatever you find during the experience.

Is there an opportunity to buy souvenirs?
Yes, after the activities, you can browse North Carolina’s largest crystal and fossil store, with many items available for purchase.

What are the opening hours?
The site is open every day from 10:00AM to 6:00PM.

Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, full refunds are available if canceled at least 24 hours before the scheduled activity. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Is the tour accessible for travelers with support animals?
Yes, service animals are permitted during the tour.

What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activity and walking is recommended, especially for farm and aviary visits.

How do I book this tour?
Bookings can be made online, with confirmation received instantly. It is advised to reserve at least two weeks in advance due to high demand.

What is the price?
The cost is $25.99 per person, which includes all activities and equipment.

Who operates this tour?
The experience is provided by Elijah Mountain Gem Mine, a trusted operator in Hendersonville.

Where exactly does the tour start?
At 2120 Brevard Rd, Hendersonville, NC, a convenient and accessible location.

This gem mining and farm tour offers a combination of geology, wildlife, and shopping that’s ideal for families and curious explorers alike, making it a memorable outing in Hendersonville.