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The museum is open from April through November.

HOURS:

 Wednesday - Friday 11 AM - 4 PM 

Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM

Sunday 11 AM - 5 PM​

**Outdoor activities close one hour before the museum.

Admissions

Purchased at the door

***All prices are subject to change without notice. Rates do not apply to special events or digs.

Kids Adventure Package

Family Fun! Hands-On Activities!

Admission Prices: 

Kids Adventure Package $39 

  • All Inclusive (Ages 3-16) Fossil Dig / Gem Panning / Museum Admission

  • Each paid child gets to take home 1 fossil from the fossil dig.

  • A bag of minerals they find while gem panning.

  • Collecting includes 2 pounds of rock per child. 

  • Any additional poundage is $2.00 per pound, plus tax.

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Museum

and

Rock Collecting

 

Admission Prices: 

Museum Exhibits & Rock Collecting​

  • Adult $25.00

  • Children (3-16) $20.00

  • Senior Citizens (65+) & Veterans $23.00

  • ​Includes 2 pounds of rocks per person and a collecting bag. Additional poundage is $2 per pound plus tax.​

Rock

Collecting Only

​
Admission Prices: 
Rock Collecting only​

  • Adults $18.00

  • Children (3-16) $16.00

  • Senior Citizens (65+) & Veterans $17.00

  • Includes 2 pounds of rocks per person and a collecting bag. Additional poundage is $2 per pound plus tax.

  • All persons going into rock collecting areas must pay admission.

Museum Exhibits

  • Outdoor rock collecting includes up to two pounds per person.  Additional poundage may be purchased for $2.00 a pound plus tax.

  • Rock Collecting closes 1 hour before the museum closes!

  • The Buckwheat Dump has a steep grade and rocky terrain.  There is an upper collecting area provided for people who cannot access the Buckwheat Dump.

  • Proper attire and footwear are a must; no sandals or open-toed shoes! You will be walking on rocks, up and down a steep hill, and on uneven surfaces.  Rain gear is optional; collecting is available rain or shine.

  • Tools are not necessary or provided! There are many hand-sized pieces to be found. 

  • CHILDREN ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE TOOLS.

  • If using your own tools, they must be rock hammers, not claw hammers, and all parties must wear wraparound goggles, children included.

  • Children must be accompanied by a paid adult at all times, both inside and outside the museum.

  • Viewing of rocks: the ID shed, located in the back portion of the museum property, contains shortwave mineral lamps to view the rocks that fluoresce. 

Mineral Samples
Fluorescent Samples

Rock Collecting

Activities

Gem Panning

Gem Panning

Gem panning is another hands-on activity offered by the Museum. Participants purchase a large bag of mine rough containing hidden “gems,” which they recover by washing away the sand in water.

Fossil Dig

Fossil Dig

Attention Junior Paleontologists! Come and dig your way through mounds of sand to uncover fossils or gemstones. After identifying your finds, choose the special one you wish to keep and take it home.

Museum Store 

 

If you feel like taking home a souvenir or attractive mineral to remember your visit with us, you may want to visit our Museum store in the lobby. We have in stock hundreds of different gift items, including jewelry, local and worldwide minerals, fossils, ultraviolet lamps, earth science books, and more. Parents, please note: our sales stock includes many kid-appropriate items offered at kid-friendly prices.

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Gift Shop

Picnic Areas  

Two picnic areas are provided on the grounds for the enjoyment of our visitors. One is in a grassy area directly behind the museum, and is bordered by shade trees. Nearby is a second picnic area beneath a pavilion, which offers shelter from the rain and a shady place to sit during hot weather.

Picnic Areas

Things to Know:

  1. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult at all times, both inside and outside the museum.

  2. There is a steep grade and rocky terrain at Buckwheat Dump. There is an upper collecting area provided for people who cannot access the Buckwheat Dump.

  3. Proper attire and footwear are a must; no sandals or open-toed shoes! You will be walking on rocks, up and down a steep hill, and on uneven surfaces.  Rain gear is optional; collecting is available rain or shine.

  4. Tools are not necessary or provided! There are many hand-sized pieces to be found. 

  5. CHILDREN ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE TOOLS.

  6. If using your own tools, they must be rock hammers, not claw hammers, and all parties must wear wraparound goggles, children included.
  7. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult at all times, both inside and outside the museum.

  8. There is a shed that contains shortwave mineral lamps to view the rocks that fluoresce. 

  9. Observe signs: it is very important that your group follows all directions and signs. Do not allow climbing on slopes surrounding the collecting area.

  10. We do not offer any food service facilities. The outside pavilion is covered. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch.

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