Bancroft calls itself the Mineral Capital of Canada, and Hastings County says almost 90% of all mineral types found on Earth occur in and around the community. This guide covers the Rockhound Gemboree and the rockhounding sites that Hastings County publishes.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Gemboree | Canada’s largest gem and mineral show, per Hastings County; four days across two locations; the County’s July 7 2026 post previews the 61st annual show with over 80 exhibitors (its Bancroft page says more than 100 dealers) |
| Dates | The County page gives no exact dates. Check the organiser |
| Admission | Not stated on the page we read |
| Princess Sodalite Mine Rock Shop | Dig at the Rock Farm; 75 to 100 varieties of rocks, minerals and fossils; small fee, amount not given |
| CN Rock Pile | On the Hastings Heritage Trail, across the road from the Town of Bancroft Municipal office, about 200 metres down on the left; suited for all ages and families |
| Mineral Museum of Bancroft | Over 1,000 specimens, a rotating exhibit on loan and a mining diorama |
Quick answer
Go in summer for the Gemboree, and visit the rock shop or the CN Rock Pile any time they are open. Always confirm hours with the site.
Rockhound Gemboree
Hastings County’s July 7 2026 post previews the 61st annual Rockhound Gemboree as a four-day event across two locations, recognized as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events. It says over 80 exhibitors bring mineral specimens, gemstone jewellery and lapidary supplies. Nine speakers cover topics such as the origins of the Princess Sodalite Mine, fossils of Manitoulin Island and the geological history of southwestern Ontario in Saturday and Sunday sessions. Gold panning and mineral and gem identification run outside the curling club. Sculptor Steven Loney, who works mainly in soapstone, carves a stone sculpture live during the show, and the piece becomes public art in the Town of Bancroft. The post says the show runs over a long weekend but gives no dates, organiser or admission, so check the organiser’s own site.
A separate event, the 28th annual Bancroft Gem & Mineral Club show, was listed for Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 10am to 4pm, with exhibits, displays and demos.
Where to look for rocks
Mineral Museum of Bancroft. The County describes over 1,000 specimens, a rotating collection exhibit on loan and a mining diorama.
Princess Sodalite Mine Rock Shop. For a small fee, visitors dig at the Rock Farm out back, which the County says is seeded constantly, with 75 to 100 varieties of rocks, minerals and fossils. The shop sells specimens from beginner to museum quality, including sodalite. Hastings County’s town page says almost 100 varieties.
CN Rock Pile. The pile holds material from the Golden-Keene Quarry, brought in to build the town’s railway station. It is on the Hastings Heritage Trail across the road from the Municipal office, about 200 metres down on the left, and the County calls it suited for all ages and families.
The County pages do not mention Silver Crater or the Beryl Pit, and we did not confirm access or rules for either, so we do not list them. Ask before you collect, and check each site’s own rules.
Safety and rules
The County page states no safety rules. Follow each site’s posted rules, and ask staff at a rock shop what you can keep.
Eagles Nest and the heritage museum
Eagles Nest Park (Lookout) gives a view over the town and has a trail network with geological features. The Bancroft North Hastings Heritage Museum has ten galleries on local history. See Bancroft town guide.
FAQ
When is the Bancroft Gemboree?
It runs over a long weekend in summer, and the County page gives no dates. Check the organiser. Checked November 3 2026.
How many dealers attend?
Hastings County’s 2026 post says over 80 exhibitors; its Bancroft town page says more than 100 dealers. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I dig for minerals?
Yes, at the Princess Sodalite Mine Rock Shop’s Rock Farm, for a small fee. Checked November 3 2026.
Where is the CN Rock Pile?
On the Hastings Heritage Trail, across from the Town of Bancroft Municipal office, about 200 metres down on the left. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages in this area
Browse cottages in Bancroft or the Bancroft and Land O’ Lakes region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for the Town of Bancroft. Our dataset has no confirmed short-term rental rule for this municipality yet, so confirm with its clerk before you list.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Post dated July 7 2026 (hastingscounty.com URL returns 403; same post at hastings.ca): 61st annual Gemboree; four-day event, 2 locations; Top 100 Festivals and Events; Canada’s largest Gem & Mineral; over 80 exhibitors; 9 speakers, Saturday and Sunday, topics listed; gold panning and identification outside curling club; Steven Loney live soapstone carving becomes public art; long weekend; organiser, dates, admission, safety rules not stated; Mineral Museum of Bancroft 1000+ specimens, rotating exhibit, mining diorama; Princess Sodalite Rock Farm seeded constantly, 75-100 varieties, small fee, beginner to museum quality; CN Rock Pile Golden-Keene Quarry material for railway station, Hastings Heritage Trail across road from Municipal office, about 200 m on left, all ages and families; 28th Gem & Mineral Club show Sunday July 26 2026 10am-4pm; Silver Crater and Beryl Pit not mentioned. (Earlier draft’s 60th anniversary, 100+ exhibitors, named speakers, partner list and July 27 2025 date are not on the current post: corrected or removed) | https://www.hastings.ca/adventures/blog/gems-geology-and-good-times-make-most-your-gemboree-visit | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | Almost 90% of mineral types; Mineral Capital; Gemboree more than 100 dealers; Princess Sodalite almost 100 varieties; Eagles Nest Park; Heritage Museum ten galleries | https://www.hastings.ca/adventures/our-communities/bancroft | 2026-11-03 |