Crisson Gold Mine
Dahlonega, Georgia
placer goldgarnetamethystrubysapphireemeraldquartz
Fee dig · Fee
Crisson Gold Mine
Crisson is a working open-pit gold mine, not a re-creation: gold was first found on this ground in 1847, the same family has run it for four generations, and it last operated commercially in 1982. The stamp mill is over 140 years old and still crushes gold-bearing quartz while you watch. Panning uses ore dug from the property, while the gem buckets are filled with stones brought in from around the world, so decide which experience you are buying at the counter. There are no tours into the pit itself — it is still being worked. Dahlonega's gold rush predates California's by two decades.
The card catalog
| What you can find | placer gold, garnet, amethyst, ruby, sapphire, emerald, quartz |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee |
| Fees | General admission is required per person: $19.95 for ages 13 and up, $15.95 for ages 12 and under, free for children 3 and under with a paying adult. That covers the walk-through mining museum, one pan of gold ore, one two-gallon gem bucket and instruction in both. Extra ore is priced separately — $30 for a five-gallon bucket of gold ore, $60-$100 for a gemstone wheelbarrow, $10 to rent a trommel or Gold Cube. |
| Season & hours | Open seven days a week, 10am-6pm, rain or shine, and open on major holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Heated indoor panning is set up seasonally, so a winter trip still works. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Very young children generally do fine here — the troughs are low and staff demonstrate the wrist motion before turning anyone loose. Children 3 and under come in free alongside a paying adult. |
| Official source | Crisson Gold Mine (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
More drawers in Georgia
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Dahlonega, GA
placer gold, pyrite, quartz
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LaGrange, GA
beryl, aquamarine, green beryl
Before you go
What does Crisson Gold Mine cost?
General admission is required per person: $19.95 for ages 13 and up, $15.95 for ages 12 and under, free for children 3 and under with a paying adult. That covers the walk-through mining museum, one pan of gold ore, one two-gallon gem bucket and instruction in both. Extra ore is priced separately — $30 for a five-gallon bucket of gold ore, $60-$100 for a gemstone wheelbarrow, $10 to rent a trommel or Gold Cube. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Crisson Gold Mine open?
Open seven days a week, 10am-6pm, rain or shine, and open on major holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Heated indoor panning is set up seasonally, so a winter trip still works. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Crisson Gold Mine good for kids?
Yes — Crisson Gold Mine works for families. Very young children generally do fine here — the troughs are low and staff demonstrate the wrist motion before turning anyone loose. Children 3 and under come in free alongside a paying adult.