Rockhounding and mineral collecting

Recreational Geology


Calling All Rockhounds!
Discover why Hastings County is the celebrated as the Mineral Capital of Canada. Explore our fascinating caves, 
stunning natural formations, and our remarkable mineral museum. Relax and refuel at our charming restaurants and cafes inspired 
by the rich geological and cultural heritage of our region. 
 

Rock pick geology rockhounding tool on rocks

Why is Hastings County the mineral capital of Canada?


Hastings County has an incredible variety of mineral species that can be found, due to its geologic history. Spanning over 1.5 billion years, the bedrock is a combination of sediments, lava flows, plutonic intrusions, and hot fluid interactions.

 

Rocks of the Canadian Shield in North Hastings tell a story of complex geological processes. Plate tectonics moving pieces of the Earth’s crust around, continents colliding to mash together sedimentary rock, oceanic crust and continental crust material.

Read more about why Hastings County is the mineral capital of Canada from Geologist Chris Fouts.

 

Intro to Rockhounding

Rockhound Gemboree Poster for 2025, Rocky the Rockhound cartoon image with dates, July 31st, August 1, 2, & 3.

The 60th Annual Rockhound Gemboree

 

This year the Town of Bancroft is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Rockhound Gemboree. Join us at Canada's Largest Gem & Mineral show from Thursday, July 31st to Sunday, August 3rd, 2025.


Named one of Ontario's Top 100 Festival and Events, this show brings together people from around the world to showcase exhibits of minerals, crystals, gems and fossils. See demonstrations, workshops and the opportunity to shop for pieces to add to your own collections.
 

Visit the Bancroft Gemboree website for hours, venue locations and more details.

 

Start Digging

Adult & Kids rockhounding & gem kits

Our North Hastings Public Library and Hastings Highlands Public Library now have Adult Rockhounding Kits and Kids Gems & Mineral Kits for loan!

Available at each location, the adult rockhounding kit includes everything you need to get started for a day of Rockhounding. Kits include Rockhound mini map, goggles, a bucket, shovel or headlamp, hammer and mineral book. 


The kids gem & mineral kits allow kids to explore the world of rocks and minerals. Each kit has 48 samples and includes an info book that covers rock collecting, how rocks are formed and change over time. Discover how to identify the samples, understand their unique characteristics and find out where to look for them. An activity book is also coming soon. 

Get in touch with our North Hastings Public Library and Hastings Highlands Public Library for more details. 

 

Things to see

Themed
Restaurants & Cafe's

Dine at our restaurants and cafés inspired by the past that proudly carry names rooted in local history.

Rockhound Map

 

Museums, Operators & More

People walking through the woods with green buckets on their way to do some rockhounding.

Load the whole family in your vehicle and enjoy a scenic drive to Bancroft. As this itinerary commences at 9am, we suggest heading out the day before and staying overnight at Somerset Lakeside Resort.

 

 

Natural Formations