The Mine Train / Susquehanna Mining Company
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Seasonal gem panning attraction operated by Delaware River Railroad Excursions. Visitors ride the scenic River Train to the Susquehanna Mining Company, a classic placer mine where heavy gems and minerals naturally settled in ancient streambed deposits. Every Mine Train ticket includes a basic bag of mining rough (ore). Guests pan for real gemstones including amethyst, rubies, rose quartz, emeralds, and crystals. Specialty upgraded ore bags available for purchase. Geodes available for cracking. Also features giant checkers, tetherball, horseshoes, corn hole, picnic grove, and gift shop. About 2 hours at the mining site.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Amethyst
Purple quartz crystals found in geodes and pegmatites. Notable sources include Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
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Ruby
Red corundum, one of the world's most precious gemstones. North Carolina's Cowee Valley and Franklin area are known US sources for rubies found in public mining operations.
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Rose Quartz
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Emeralds
North Carolina's Hiddenite region is the only place in North America where emeralds are found naturally.
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Crystals
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Geodes
Hollow rocks lined with crystals. Iowa's Keokuk region is the Geode Capital of the World.
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📍 Nearby Locations in New Jersey
Cape May County (Cape May Diamonds)
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Franklin Mineral Museum
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Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park
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A large marl pit operated by Rowan University where visitors can search for amber and Cretaceous fossils. 72-million-year-old fossil beds with shells,...
Manasquan Beach Gravels
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Ocean beaches along the Monmouth County coast at Manasquan (1st Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736), extending south to Point Pleasant and beyond. The beach gra...
New Jersey Zeolite Beds (Watchung)
Watchung, New Jersey · Public Land
Watchung basalt flows for zeolite minerals, prehnite, and quartz. Road cuts and exposures in the First Watchung Mountain area.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to The Mine Train / Susquehanna Mining Company with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35