June 6-7, 2025
Strike it rich at the Official North Carolina Gold Festival in at The Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine in Marion. This two-day event is packed with gold mining equipment demonstrations and dealers, nugget races, nugget shoots, panning contests, art and craft vendors, food trucks, multiple live bands, games, historic tours, door prizes, and raffles.
More stops for the day: See the NC Mining Museum at Emerald Village in Little Switzerland or tour the Carson House Museum (on the NC Gold Trail) in Marion. Read more about gem mining in Western North Carolina.
Gold & Gem Mines
Emerald Village & Mining Museum
A fascinating collection of gem, mining and historical exhibits, including an underground mine tour. Pan for gold and minerals. Located near Little Switzerland, a few miles from the Blue Ridge… read more
A fascinating collection of gem, mining and historical exhibits, including an underground mine tour. Pan for gold and minerals. Located near Little Switzerland, a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
