Gemstone Mining Experience
Gemstone & Fossil Mining Experience Field Trip: A Unique, Hands-on Experience Mining for Minerals, Gemstones, and Fossils
June Through October
Take a Trip Back to Pioneer Days...
…With this exciting, educational and engaging experience! Begin your mining experience with entertaining melodramatic storytelling as our own Prospector Joe tells a tale intertwined with the history of Wisconsin mining. Following the storytelling, Prospector Joe will present more interesting facts about Wisconsin history and geography.
Prospector Joe will then guide guest miners through a mining experience at the Apple Holler Mining Company. Have a “rocking” good time as you roll up your sleeves and sift through your own bag of treasure in our flowing sluice. Discover and identify genuine fossils, gemstones, and minerals that can be taken home. This unique mining experience will be a memorable learning event sure to spark imagination and the desire to learn more about mining and geology.
Recommended for 1st through 6th grade.



Your Mining Experience Field Trip Includes:
- Experience the Mining Mayhem interactive melodrama with Prospector Joe
- Learn Some Wisconsin Mining History, Geography & Mineral Mining locations
- Receive a colored fossil & gemstone identification chart
- Mine for genuine gemstones, minerals, and fossils with a bag of "Mining Rough" per person
- Experience a guided educational tour aboard a tractor-drawn train ride through the Apple Holler orchards and Enchanted Forest. Learn how our wind machines protect the orchard
- Feed the Billy goats, nanny goats & newborns
- Explore our Farm Park- Johnny Appleseed History Walk, Kids Korral Play Area, Giant Slide, our all new Spider Web, and more!
- Enjoy a freshly baked cookie treat and fresh apple cider
- Learn all about our Butterfly Garden and our Garden of Eatin'
- Take pictures at our photo ops and make memories that'll last a lifetime!
Cost of Gemstone & Fossil Mining Experience Field Trip
$14.00 per person (children & adults)
A minimum of 30 participants is required. Groups smaller than 30 may be paired with another group to meet the minimum.
Reservations are Required.
Includes Wisconsin Common Core Standards in Science, Agriculture, Agriscience, Ecology/ Environment, History & Language Arts
How to Book Your Apple Holler Field Trip
To book your Gemstone and Fossil Mining Field Trip, please call Sheryl at (262) 884-7100 or fill out your Reservation Request form by clicking the button below. Please note: By filling out the Reservation Request form, you are not automatically booking your field trip.