Hooper Mine
Discover a treasure trove of garnets at Hooper Mine! Hike to an open-pit mine, find your own gems, and enjoy stunning mountain views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather for hiking
Hooper Mine
Best Time
Pleasant weather for hiking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover a treasure trove of garnets at Hooper Mine! Hike to an open-pit mine, find your own gems, and enjoy stunning mountain views.
"You can definitely find full garnets if you know where and how to look, though they don’t have great faces."
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The path to the mine is uphill and can be wet. Good shoes are a must!
🔨 Bring a Rock Hammer
For finding larger garnets, a rock hammer is recommended. Smaller ones are plentiful.
Quick Facts
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Garnet-Rich Rock Faces
Main mine area
Discover countless garnets embedded in the sheer rock cliffs. You'll find them on the ground and within the matrix.
Scenic Overlook
Near the mine entrance
Enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains from glacial-carved rocks. A perfect spot for a break.
Gem Shop Treasures
Garnet Hill Ski Lodge store
Browse unique, handmade items crafted from locally sourced garnets. Affordable and beautiful souvenirs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Garnet Hunting Essentials
Timing Your Visit
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
not a bad little garnet haul. northern New York State
What a coincidence! I was at the Hooper garnet mine in North Creek this afternoon! Hooper mine doesn’t really have gem quality garnets, but it’s still a blast climbing around and digging them out!
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The path to the mine is uphill and can be wet. Good shoes are a must!
🔨 Bring a Rock Hammer
For finding larger garnets, a rock hammer is recommended. Smaller ones are plentiful.
The top of Hooper Garnet Mine, North Creek.
One of my favorites places to hang. Easy hike in, too.
Gore Mountain Garnet Mine in NY
I was there this summer. Really cool place. Great photo!
🦟 Bug Spray is Your Friend
Depending on the season, bugs can be present. Come prepared!
💰 Affordable Experience
Tours are reasonably priced, and you pay per pound for what you find.
Almandine garnet(red) with hornblende(black) and diopside(green), from Hooper Mine, in Gore Mountain NY
Tips
from all over the internet
🥾 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The path to the mine is uphill and can be wet. Good shoes are a must!
🔨 Bring a Rock Hammer
For finding larger garnets, a rock hammer is recommended. Smaller ones are plentiful.
🦟 Bug Spray is Your Friend
Depending on the season, bugs can be present. Come prepared!
💰 Affordable Experience
Tours are reasonably priced, and you pay per pound for what you find.
🤝 Friendly Staff
The staff are very helpful and will point you in the right direction.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Hooper Mine for its abundant garnets, friendly staff, and scenic beauty. The accessible terrain makes it enjoyable for all ages, and the affordable pricing for tours and collected stones is a major draw. Some note that finding garnets with perfect faces requires effort or tools, and bug spray is recommended.
"Great hike, great view, and great rocks! Hiked up in the rain and saw multiple eastern newts which was a great surprise.
You can definitely find full garnets if you know where and how to look, though they don’t have great faces. Otherwise lots of chips to be found and many great pieces in matrix."
Andrew Chiles
"Incredibly friendly and informative staff. The mine is great for all ages and is surprisingly accessible (flat, hard ground). I will be returning with my son who uses a wheelchair.
The garnets are everywhere and very easy to find. The whole experience is also very affordable. You pay for a 2 hour tour plus whatever you find ($2 per pound). Many items in the gem shop are handmade using garnet found in the mine. I found everything in the shop to be very reasonably priced.
We are looking forward to visiting again."
laurie cook
"This is an old abandoned garnet mine on the grounds of the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge. They are very nice here and point you in the right direction if you pop in the store and let them know where you want to hike.
It's uphill about half a mile, make sure you follow the arrow signs to the right. You'll come into the bottom of the mine and notice the sheer rock cliffs all around you. Walk straight across to the big red rocks and you'll see garnets all over, embedded in the rocks and on the ground. We didn't find anything huge, but we didn't bring a rock hammer. It was a really cool experience seeing these beautiful rocks. There is also a great viewpoint where you can sit on glacial carved rocks and look out over the mountains."
Matt Champlin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hooper Mine is located on the grounds of the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge. Follow the arrow signs from the parking area; it's about a half-mile uphill hike.
Yes, there is parking available near the entrance to the hiking trail leading to the mine.
The hike is about 10 minutes from the parking area and is uphill. The ground can be wet in places, so good footwear is essential.
While the mine is on ski lodge grounds, the accessibility for garnet hunting might be limited during heavy snow. It's best to check conditions beforehand.
Yes, Hooper Mine appears to be open to the public for exploration and garnet hunting.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There's a fee for a 2-hour tour, and you pay an additional $2 per pound for any garnets you find. The gem shop items are also reasonably priced.
It's advisable to check with the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge or Hooper Mine directly for tour booking information, especially during peak seasons.
Operating hours can vary. It's best to contact the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge for the most current information on when the mine is open for visitors.
While you can hike to the mine area, a tour is often recommended to get the most out of the experience and learn about the best spots to find garnets.
Hooper Mine is great for all ages, and the terrain is surprisingly accessible, making it suitable for families with children.
🎫 💎 Onsite Experience
The primary find is garnet, often embedded in rock faces or found as chips on the ground. You might also find other minerals in the matrix.
Garnets are abundant and relatively easy to spot, especially in the main rock faces. Finding ones with perfect faces might require more effort or tools.
The mine area itself has flat, hard ground, making it surprisingly accessible for wheelchairs.
It's an open-pit mine with sheer rock cliffs. The ground can be wet in places, and there are plenty of rocks to explore.
Basic facilities might be available at the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge, which is where the mine is located. It's good to check what's available.
📸 📸 Photography
The garnet-studded rock faces offer dramatic shots. The scenic overlook provides panoramic mountain views.
Absolutely! Documenting your garnet finds is part of the fun. Just be mindful of your surroundings.
Regulations on drone usage can vary. It's best to inquire with the Garnet Hill Ski Lodge or local authorities before flying a drone.
Morning light can be beautiful for the scenic views, while midday sun can highlight the sparkle of the garnets in the rocks.
Capture the contrast of the red garnets against the grey rock, the expansive mountain vistas, and your own discoveries.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit