If you live in North Carolina, you certainly already know it’s a gem. However, did you know it also happens to be home to the only public access emerald mine in the world? Of course, emeralds aren’t all you’ll find at Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, but they’re certainly the most prominent gemstone in the area and the most exciting to find! The best part is, you can dig for these magnificent minerals yourself. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the incredible and hidden Emerald Hollow Mine in North Carolina.

Emerald Hollow Mine is located in Hiddenite, where it is well known as one of the most interesting and unique locations in North America.
Goose398 / TripAdvisor
It's not every day you hear of a place that lets you dig for your own emeralds! Let's just say this Emerald Hollow Mine in North Carolina belongs on your bucket list.
Every year, thousands of tourists and locals visit this mine in hopes of figuring out how to find emeralds in North Carolina.
Emerald Hollow Mine Facebook
The mine is open every day of the year except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving. In the case of a severe storm, however, they may close the property temporarily.
Here's how it works: During their time here guests can choose between sluicing, creeking, and digging, or go for all three.
Arcadia998 / TripAdvisor
Since this is a mine, you will need to get a mining permit before you start. Permit fees cover your entrance into the mine, but you'll still have to pay to dig.

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If you'd rather not actually dig for North Carolina emeralds, you can purchase a native or enriched bucket and sift through it yourself. The cost of these can vary from the cost of a sandwich to far higher than that.
Miss_Shiloh / TripAdvisor
This is a popular pick for families with young children who might not have the patience to dig or look through a creek.
Believe it or not, over 60 types of gemstones have been found here.
Gayle W / TripAdvisor
Aside from beautiful emeralds, you might find sapphire, garnet, topaz, amethyst, citrine, and smoky and clear quartz crystals, among others.
You never know what a day of work might look like at Emerald Hollow Mine.
Emerald Hollow Mine Facebook
This is your chance to appease your inner geologist. And it's an out-of-the-box activity the whole family can enjoy. When you're done, it's always fun to sit together and share your Emerald Hollow Mine finds!
Emerald Hollow Mine is typically open daily, but be sure to check out the website for the most current hours and any weather closures.
Emerald Hollow Mine Facebook
Since you'll be in the area, consider making your visit into a long weekend. There are a few campground and several hotels in the area.

Find yourself intrigued? Did you know there was an emerald mine in North Carolina? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! Learn more about this one-of-a-kind experience by visiting the official Emerald Hollow Mine website. Of course, you can also follow them on Facebook. Additionally they can be reached on 828-635-1126.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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									Emerald Hollow Mine Dr, Hiddenite, NC 28636, USA