New Emerald Sluice Bags at Bridal Cave

One of the most popular activities at our Lake of the Ozarks scenic attraction is the ability to pan for gemstones in our sluice. Bridal Cave has offered visitors the chance to dump pre-packaged bags of sand (plus a lot more) into our sluice for the past ten years. The beautiful treasures that are found make excellent trip souvenirs.

 A sluice is a water channel that is controlled at the head by a gate. When this gate is lifted, water flows down from the water tower through the sluice. The clear, pristine water is perfect for filling a pan with the contents of our sluice bags and discovering the surprises that are waiting inside. 


 After a decade of wear and tear from tens of thousands of park guests, our Thunder Mountain Park sluice was in need of a few repairs. Our sluice is manufactured by the Sandy Creek Mining Company out of Fostoria, Ohio. They happened to be in Missouri recently and headed on over as soon as we gave them a call. These guys were fast and efficient. In just two short hours, the boys of Sandy Creek replaced about four feet of the sluice that had succumbed to the elements. We were able to open it back up to visitors the very next day. 
photo courtesy of SandyCreekMining.com 

The Bridal Cave gift shop sells "Pay Dirt" and "Lucky Strike" bags, and new this year, we are also offering "Emerald Bags." These feature large, uncut, raw emeralds inside. Other gems that are frequently found inside the sluice bags are:


Amazonite
Amethyst
Apatite
Aventurine 
Calcite
Carnelian
Chrysocolla
Citrine
Crystal Points
Fluorite
Garnet
Jasper
Labradorite
Moonstone
Moss Agate
Obsidian
Onyx
Opal
Peridot
Pyrite
Quartz
Raspberry Quartz
Rose Quartz
Rough Agate
Ruby 
Sapphire
Septarian
Smokey Quartz
Sodalities
Topaz

Wow! Now that's a lot of different beautiful gemstones lying in wait inside our sluice bags. Right now the weather is ideal for spending some quality time outdoors. Our sluice is set up right outside our gift shop so that while you pan for raw gemstones from around the world, you are able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. 

We would like to send out a great big thank you to the awesome crew at Sandy Creek Mining Company. Their handiwork will let us treat tens of thousands more Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park visitors to a fun and enjoyable treasure hunt. This Lake of the Ozarks family attraction is fun for every age. Remember, sluicing's not just for kids! Everyone can grab a bag and pan for gemstones. 


   
One of America's most scenic 
cave tours.

Visit us at www.BridalCave.com
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526 Bridal Cave Road
Camdenton, MO 65020
(573) 346-2676
Location: Bridal Cave Rd, Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

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