Sluice a bucket of Carolina dirt and keep what you find
Amethyst, emeralds, quartz — and every so often a shark’s tooth older than the state. Open every day from 9 to 5, to campers and to anyone who drives out for the afternoon.
Water, a trough, and a bucket of unsorted dirt
You buy a bucket. Flowing water runs down a series of troughs, and you work the dirt through a screen until the stones settle out and the mud carries off. It is genuinely satisfying, and it is not a machine doing it for you.
Identification charts come with the bucket, so a nine-year-old can tell you they found amethyst and be right about it. Educational, hands-on, and it holds adults just as well as children — which is not true of most campground activities.
How long it takes
Most families spend the better part of an hour on a bucket. There is no booking required for a family or two.
Groups and school trips
If you are bringing a group, call the office first so we can have enough troughs running. Schools have booked the whole park for this before.
What’s actually in the bucket
The mix changes, which is half the appeal. These are the ones that turn up often enough to expect.
“The kids love the bouncing pad, swimming pool and outdoor games. The camp store had the basics covered and our kids loved picking out a geode to crush. What a fun visit!”
Daniel Gaulden · Google review
Open daily, 9 AM to 5 PM
Every day, 9–5
Year-round, weather permitting. No reservation needed for a family.
Open to the public
You do not have to be staying with us. Pull in, park, and come to the camp store.
Prices
Bucket prices are posted at the camp store. Call 910.845.5040 and we’ll tell you today’s.
Groups
Call ahead for school groups, scout troops and birthday parties so we can staff it properly.
Things to Do
Cabins
Directions