Mining Fees
Age 5 and under: Free Admission with an accompanying paid miner (no bucket of gem ore provided – Li’l Miners get to “assist” an older accompanying miner).
Due to limited seating area and capacity concerns everyone is charged an admission fee.
$10.00 per additional bucket of our 100% Unsalted Gem Ore.
Discount rate for gem club members and military veterans.
CASH ONLY.
NOTICE: Mining is a STRENUOUS ACTIVITY
It requires: Bending, Twisting, Lifting, Grasping, Physical Coordination, Balance, Stamina, and an awareness of your surroundings.
Not-For-Profit | Club | Professional Organizations
The Cherokee Mine welcomes Not-For-Profit groups, rockhounding clubs & professional organizations scripting their own programs as well. Whether an educational field trip or recreational getaway, your group coordinator will promote the outing, handle registration, travel, directors and support staff. The Cherokee Mine supplements programs by furnishing the aid of its gem mining equipment, expertise and facility resources. Upon request, we can provides your group with an entertaining educational session on mineral ID, and the geology and history of the gem mining trade in western North Carolina. Our flume line can accommodate 30+ people, but groups of all sizes are welcome at our facility. Reservations are typically made on a year-to year basis with first choice of dates going to returning groups. Please contact us today for more information about bringing your group to The Cherokee Mine, as we are currently scheduling our latest program calendar.
Considerations
Mining Fees & Considerations
ADMISSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
THE CHEROKEE MINE ACCEPTS CASH OR CREDIT CARDS.
- OPERATION OF THE CHEROKEE MINE IS “WEATHER PERMITTING”.
- THE CHEROKEE MINE WILL BE CLOSED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AT THE ON-SITE MANAGER’S DISCRETION. Please call in advance of your visit to the Cherokee Mine if there are any weather forecasts indicating potential foul weather in the Cowee Valley, to ensure the mine is open.
- CHILDREN MUST BE KEPT UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES.
- Do not take Coon Creek Road, Flowers Gap Road, or Ruby Knoll Road.
- ONLY WELL-BEHAVED PETS PERMITTED. PETS MUST BE KEPT LEASHED AND AWAY FROM THE FLUME LINE. PET WASTE MUST BE PICKED UP AND DISPOSED OF BY THE PET OWNER.
- SMOKING AT THE FLUME LINE IS NOT PERMITTED. CIGARETTE AND CIGAR BUTTS MUST BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY : NO LITTERING
- ANY OFFENSIVE CUSTOMER OR MEMBER OF THEIR PARTY WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES. NO DRINKING OF ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED ON OUR PREMISES.
- Do not take Coon Creek Road, Flowers Gap Road, or Ruby Knoll Road.
- CHILDREN UNDER 11 YEARS OLD ARE NOT PERMITTED INTO THE DIG YOUR OWN MINING AREA.
- SHIRTS AND SHOES ARE REQUIRED TO BE WORN AT OUR FLUMELINE. SHIRTS, SAFE FOOTWEAR ( TENNIS SHOES OR BOOTS ONLY ) MUST BE WORN OR ACCESS TO THE MINING SITE WILL BE DENIED.
- A HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT / INJURY WAIVER MUST BE SIGNED BY EACH CUSTOMER (OR PARENT / GUARDIAN) PRIOR TO BEING PERMITTED INTO THE MINING AREA.
- All Mine Equipment issued to any customer is to be returned at the end of the customer’s mining session. The Mine Equipment (Screens, buckets, pails, shovels, etc) is NOT to be construed to be a customer’s souvenir. Removal of any Mine Equipment from the Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire Mine is THEFT.
- Do not take Coon Creek Road, Flowers Gap Road, or Ruby Knoll Road.
Admission Hours
Open March through December
Daily 10am to 4pm
Closed on Saturdays
All activities are weather permitting.
This is a laborious and time consuming process, please come early.
Do not take Coon Creek Road, Flowers Gap Road, or Ruby Knoll Road.
