'Diamonds' and Other Gems Hidden In the Hills Of New York State

There's gold in them there hills! Diamonds too! Remember reading the stories in school about the famous California gold rush that took place in the 1800's? Once gold was discovered in the hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range it was off to California.

You can have a similar experience of finding gems in the hills of New York State. Head out to Herkimer County to see if you can find one of the beautiful, diamond-like, quartz crystals known as the "Herkimer Diamond".

Get our free mobile app

Grab your camping gear, get the family in the car and head to West Canada Creek and the Herkimer Diamond Mines. Not only can you search for your take of Herkimer Diamonds your family can stay at the onsite KOA campgrounds.

At the above ground mine Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals are hiding in the rocks. Grab a hammer and start smashing your way to a sparkly treasure. The mines will be open until October 31, 2025. Take a look at this video to see what it's like.

Sluice mining offers another exciting mining experience. Purchase a special bag and head to the Sluice Station where you can screen away the debris to discover your very own treasures. This experience is perfect for miners of all ages.

Herkimer Diamond Mines also have 4 restaurants to satisfy your appetite after mining. Miners Table, Canteen Cafe, the Garden and Scoops offer a little something for everyone. Admission prices start at $15 and you can book your appointment today HERE.

50 Iconic New York State Attractions

How many of these 50 iconic New York State attractions have you visited? Upstate, Downstate, Capital Region, Adirondacks, Catskills, Western New York, Central New York and everywhere in between.

Gallery Credit: Michael Karolyi

50 Fantastic Facts About New York State

From America's Smallest Town to the birthplace of the potato chip, here are 50 fun and fantastic facts about New York State. Scroll through to see how many of these you already knew.

Gallery Credit: Karolyi