Princess Sodalite Mine

Was closed for the season till May 2024.
And it is not updated anywhere and when one drives all the way to that place, there is a board that says "Closed for the season, open again in May"
It was a major disappointment for all of us since we couldn't find any place to collect any gems in the so called "Mineral Capital of Canada"

We went here for the first time this weekend and had a lot of fun. We spent about an hour here, and while we didn't find anything substantial, we still found some decent little chunks of amethyst, rose quartz, as well as a couple other neat stones (Google is stupid and not showing the option to attach pics). The trick is to being proper tools and know what you're looking for. We arrived around 10: 30am and it was already quite busy.
What I didn't anticipate was how many idiots brought their 3 year olds, or other kids and don't watch them. You need to be alert here and are responsible for your own safety. The ground is literally rocks and unsteady, so take the precautions they recommend such as proper footwear and safety goggles. I was hit on the arm and cut by a rock projectile from a 10 year old who was running around unsupervised with a hammer smashing on random rocks. Also, I feel the need to point out how absolutely horrific the "bathroom" is here. It's just an outhouse that is filthy and I left there with other people's piss all over the backs
of my legs (my reason for knocking off a star).
Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and it was a good experience. I will absolutely be returning!

I had such a great time digging, smashing rocks, came back with a bucket full.i will go back

This place is our summer outdoor activity from past 2 years.
A great way to spend time in nature with family.
A must visit place for all the rock lovers.
They have parking at site and also a stall washroom.
The staff at site is friendly and helpful to answer any queries.
Make sure you equip yourself with closed toe thick shoes, hard gloves and protective glasses, hammer, food and water.
They sell protective glasses in the shop too.
You will be provided with buckets once you sign the waver register.
There is no entrance fee. You pay per pound for what you want to buy while leaving.
Dont be disheartened if you feel like you didnt find anything of value… the shop got your back… they do sell rocks for reasonable price.we do love buying some rocks we have never seen before.
We will be visiting this place every summer hence forth.

Extremely small mining area.
Looks like the owner paid someone to drop a dump truck worth of cheap rocks in a small pen. I wasn't allowed to bring my own rock smashing tools, or "the owner would get mad".
I think I left with a bit of rose quartz and some sandstone, again which was very obviously brought in from somewhere else.
The drive there was nice though

My kids loved smashing rocks and finding 'crystals'. If recommended sturdy shoes and work gloves in addition to the safety glasses. Maybe have a few bandaids with you too

Fun for a afternoon if you know what to look for. Great for the kids. Lots of great specimens for sale. We did find lots of great little stuff. Most of it small but treasures nonetheless.

It’s a really great time rock hounding here.
You’ll be walking on a rock farm, the ground is very wobbly so be aware of that. You need closed toed shoes and safety eye wear. And with good reason. You may want to bring a chisel, hammer or pick axe, though I saw some options in the gift shop as well as safety eye wear.
The gift shop has reasonably priced gemstones and gifts stocked up, it’s lovely.

NOTE: I’ve seen people bring their young kids but I’d advise against it due to attention spans, potential for hurt fingers from rocks, scrapes, shrapnel potentially flying around or rolled ankles. If they can handle all that then it’s all good and they’ll enjoy.

Note 2: It’s a bit buggy there and it’s also 10 degrees hotter on the rocks. Plan accordingly.

I had the best time ever. Who doesn't want to smash rocks and then find treasures inside? ! The girl at the counter was SO nice, explaining to my boyfriend and I what we were to expect. Bring your own hammer, chisels, and safety goggles. Closed toed shoes as well! I drove 2.5 hours one way to go here, and I am disappointed that I don't live closer because I would love to do this every weekend.

Drove to Bancroft for this experience. Friendly and helpful staff. Enjoyed our time sorting through the rocks looking for treasures. Definitely worth the trip!

Lots of different types of rocks. Owner was helpful and nicely answered questions. Knowing what you are looking for / having some general rockhounding knowledge is helpful. Safety gear required (goggles and closed toed shoes).

Went here with my family, brought our own equipment as requested. It overall was an okay experience, some cool rocks, mainly just pit rocks though, expected it to be more of a quarry but basically just a 40 by 20 foot fenced in area. The lady at the desk was very nice but the gentlemen (owner) was very rude. Telling us to not look at our rocks in the store (we were doing this to make sure what we had was what we wanted before we paid) and (“that’s what the buckets are for outside”). He also counted down the minutes for the store closing even when we we waiting in line to pay. The gems inside the store were very expensive. The biggest thing I noticed being first time goers was there is no direction you’re kind of just standing around not knowing what to do and when you ask you’re treated like you should already know where to go. Probably won’t go back but was an okay experience for one time.

My kid had a blast searching for treasures! The owner was absolutely lovely - so helpful. Everyone there was having a great time! We spent several hours hunting for rocks and minerals and left with about 15lbs worth. I felt like they were reasonably priced at $2/lb considering the free admission.

We bought a hammer with us but would have found lots without any tools. My only mistake was wearing regular running shoes - you definitely need something thick soled with good grip - it's a bit unsteady to walk on.

The kids had a great time. Took chisels and hammers and a pail. They weigh your bucket and that's what you pay. Lots of crystals. The lady at the souvenir shop was very helpfull.
Really had a good time. It's outside and gets the kids outside.

Wow what a GEM of a store, excuse the pun. Well worth the visit! Super friendly, wonderful staff and absolutely beautiful stuff!

I LOVE THIS LOCATION AND THE ROCKHOUNDING EXPERIENCE IT OFFERS! (I convinced my BF to bring us here at the End of their Season)
We enjoyed ourselves SO MUCH! I Had a Blast! Probably Spent 2.5 or 3 Hours here Including Browsing the Beautifully Decorated Store, But predominantly Rock-Hounding in A MONSOON OF RAIN for lack of better phrasing! I DONT regret to disclaim that The both of us Braved the Extreme Rain especially since Water Brings out the Luster or Iridescent Aspect in The Pink Moonstone, and Labradorite that we found in the Pay-per-Pound Rock Digging Pit! I Recommend you Go here if you like Crystals and Gemstones but Do Bring everything the reviews Recommend Including Hammer, close-toed Shoes and My Special reccomendation is a Spray Bottle filled with Water for the Dry Months (And Maybe an Extra to Cool Off After Lol) I left Happily Having bought 60 Pounds of Stones Crystals and semiprecious Gems!
Princess Sodalite Mine is An 11/10 Experience!