Gem mining here means buying a bag or bucket of mining rough, pouring it into a screen and working it under running water at a flume or sluice until the stones show up. It holds the attention of a six-year-old and a grandparent equally, takes no skill at all, and every kid leaves with a pocketful of something.
The five spots below range from a covered mine on the Parkway to a family-run rock shop and add-ons inside bigger parks. Bigger buckets tend to hold more and larger stones, so pick the size that fits your group and let the kids share.
In This Guide
Pigeon Forge Gem Mine
Pigeon Forge Gem Mine is the easiest to plan around: a covered mining area on the Parkway that runs rain or shine, with gemstone and fossil buckets and hours that stretch into the evening. Afterward, walk through the free museum of fossils and gemstones, which includes a rare woolly rhino, or browse gemstone jewelry in the rock shop.
Good to know: Walk-ins welcome daily; groups can book ahead online.
Closest Vantage cabins: Pigeon Forge Getaway (5-10 min), Game-N-Getaway (5-10 min)
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Little River Gem Mine
Little River is a family-owned rock shop and mine on Winfield Dunn Parkway where you buy a bucket, sift it at a water-powered flume and keep everything you find. The owners work the shop and identify stones for you, there is a geode-cracking machine, and the old mining-town yard is full of odd statues worth a photo.
Good to know: Open daily 9 AM-5 PM; plan on a couple of hours.
Closest Vantage cabins: Wheatlands Plantation (10-15 min), Carpenters Splashin Paradise - Waterpark (15-20 min)
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Gem Mining at Goats on the Roof
At Goats on the Roof you sift for rubies, sapphires and emeralds at an old-time mining station while live goats graze on the roof overhead. Kids can send feed up to them on the goat-cycle conveyor, and the Goat Coaster, 36 holes of dinosaur mini golf and a fudge and ice cream shop make it easy to stay the afternoon.
Good to know: About 2.5 miles down Wears Valley Road from Parkway light #3.
Closest Vantage cabins: Paradise Pool Lodge (10-15 min), Pigeon Forge Getaway (10-15 min)
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SkyLand Ranch
SkyLand Mining Company is one piece of SkyLand Ranch, a ranch-themed park on the Sevierville Parkway. You buy a bag of mining rough, work it at the sluice and keep the gems you find, then round out the day with miniature animals, the 1.25-mile Wild Stallion mountain coaster or the newly opened WagonWheeler swing tower.
Good to know: Gem mining is an add-on; it isn't included in general admission.
Closest Vantage cabins: Carpenters Splashin Paradise - Waterpark (5-10 min), Pigeon Forge Getaway (5-10 min)
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Gem Mine at Anakeesta
Inside Anakeesta, the Gem Mine sits at the end of the Treetop Canopy Walk next to the Treehouse Village playground, and kids work a waterfall-fed sluice to turn up gemstones and fossils. It is a small add-on rather than a destination on its own, but it gives little ones a hands-on break between the bridges, gardens and views.
Good to know: Requires Anakeesta admission; gem mining is a separate add-on.
Closest Vantage cabins: Greystone (5-10 min), Four Bears Den (5-10 min)
View Full Guide →Drive times to the closest Vantage cabins are measured by road without traffic; allow extra time on the Parkway in peak season.
Tips for Groups
- Buy fewer, bigger buckets and let the kids share. Larger buckets tend to hold more and bigger stones, and splitting one among two or three kids keeps everyone busy longer.
- Ask the staff what you found before you leave. Little River's owners identify stones for visitors, and Pigeon Forge Gem Mine has a free museum that helps with identification.
- Pack a zip-top bag for each kid's finds and expect wet sleeves at the flume. A towel in the car helps on cooler days.
Staying with a big group? Browse Vantage cabins by bedrooms, pools, theater rooms and more, or see our large group cabins.