Mining with Finnegan | Family Fun Gem Mining at Standing Pines Campground
Discover Sparkling Memories with Forest Friends
At Standing Pines, adventure is always just around the corner—and our Forest Friends Gem Mining experience is one you won’t want to miss!
Nestled beside the Welcome Center, this family-friendly activity brings together hands-on fun, a dash of discovery, and the charm of our original Forest Friends stories.
What Makes Our Gem Mining Special?
Themed Mural by Local Artist:
Step up to our colorful sluice, where local artist Rebecca Powell’s mural brings Finnegan Fox and friends to life. Kids and adults alike love spotting Finnegan as he explores the world of sparkling stones—right alongside you!Easy, Mess-Free Fun:
Grab a gem mining kit from the Camp Store, then head outside to sift and swirl your way to a treasure trove of real gemstones. Each kit is packed with surprises—shiny stones, fossils, and more.A Bonus Adventure:
Every kit includes a take-home geode. Crack it open back at your campsite or at home, and keep the adventure going long after your stay!
Mining With Finnegan | How It Works
Keen eyed observers may spot Finnegan Fox’s tail in the bushes of the mural near the gem mining sluice. Our friend Finnegan is very curious. His latest experiment involves tossing shiny rocks in the water to see what humans visiting Standing Pines will do with them.
Will your family mine for gems when you visit Standing Pines?
Pick up your kit: Visit the Camp Store and choose your gem mining bag—each is unique!
Head to the sluice: Use the running water to sift through your bag and reveal your treasures.
- Crack your geode: Take your bonus geode home or open it at your site for a sparkling surprise.
Perfect for Families, Field Trips, and Curious Campers
All ages welcome—no experience needed!
Open daily during Camp Store hours.
Great for photos of kids playing and learning!
The Story Behind the Sluice
Our gem mining activity is inspired by the adventures of Finnegan Fox and his friends. Here’s how their story begins:
Finnegan’s nose twitched with curiosity as he peeked out from behind a tall pine tree. The humans had left for the day, and now was his chance to investigate the strange new contraption they’d built near the Welcome Center…”
Want to read the rest of Finnegan’s sparkling discovery?
Read the full story here.
Are You Ready to Dig In?
How much does it cost?
Each gem mining bag is $12 and includes a bonus geode to crack open for even more fun!
Who can participate?
Gem mining is perfect for kids and kids at heart of all ages. No experience needed-just bring your sense of adventure!
Do I need to book ahead?
No reservations are needed. Just stop by the Camp Store during open hours and our staff will turn on the sluice when you’re ready to play.
When is gem mining available?
Gem mining is open daily during Camp Store hours. Ask at the Welcome Center for today’s schedule.
How long does it take?
Most families spend about 15–30 minutes gem mining, but you can take as long as you like!
What will I find in my bag?
Each bag contains a mix of colorful gemstones, minerals, and fossils-plus a bonus geode to take home. Every bag is unique, so every mining experience is a little different!
Do I get to keep what I find?
Absolutely! All the gems, minerals, and your geode are yours to keep as special souvenirs from Standing Pines.
Can I share a bag with a friend or sibling?
Yes! Gem mining is a great group activity. Families often enjoy sharing and comparing their finds.
Is it educational?
Definitely! Kids learn about geology, minerals, and the excitement of discovery. We provide a gemstone chart to help you identify your treasures.
Need help or have questions?
Our friendly staff are always happy to help identify your finds or answer any questions about gem mining.
Bonus Family Fun!
Have you picked up your Activity Challenge Sheet(s) from the front desk in the Welcome Center yet? We have different sheets for different ages. Each completed sheet gets a special Forest Friends reward and families that complete 4 total sheets get an extra reward!
HINT: Do you see Mining with Finnegan as one of the challenges?
Would you like more activity sheets? Share your email and we will send them to you!
Gem mining is just one of many ways to discover memories together at Standing Pines. Book your stay and add this sparkling adventure!
Discover Memories Together. Experience wildly comfortable camping™ at Standing Pines—where every day brings a new adventure.
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Get happy little emails with Forest Friends stories every other Wednesday
Sign Up for Free StoriesMeet Standing Pines! We are a new, family‑owned campground in the Pee Dee region near Hartsville, South Carolina, offering wildly comfortable camping for RVs, cabins, and tents. Discover memories together with quiet country camping for the whole family at Standing Pines.
We are about 30 minutes from the I‑95 / I‑20 interchange near Florence, SC. Watch for owls flying through our pines, challenge each other to a round of mini golf, and laugh as your fur babies explore two large fenced dog parks perfect for zoomies. Enjoy full‑hookup RV sites and modern comforts like our Oasis outdoor showers, private bathhouse, strong Wi‑Fi, and 24/7 Laundry Lounge.
Explore nature with more than 1.5 miles of trails through our private forest or stroll around our 3‑acre private lake. Sunrise and sunset over the water are colorful shows most days.
In summer, we are just 15 minutes from Neptune Island Water Park, a regional favorite for families with kids. All year, we are about 20 minutes from the Darlington NASCAR racetrack and museum, plus fun South Carolina attractions like McLeod Farms and Antique Museum in McBee.
More into nature? We are 15 minutes from the National Sandhills Wildlife Refuge, with more than 47,000 acres of pine forest, ponds and rolling hills. Even closer, the South Carolina Sandhills State Forest offers another 45,000 acres of outdoor fun.
Want to stay a little longer and explore the region?
– 60 minutes to Columbia, SC
– 90 minutes to Charlotte, NC
– 2 hours to Myrtle Beach, SC
– 2.5 hours to Charleston, SC
Less than 4 hours’ easy driving from Savannah, Raleigh, Wilmington, Atlanta or Augusta, GA.