The Ultimate Guide To Snake River Golf And Gem Mining: Myrtle Beach's Revived Family Fun Destination For 2025

The Snake River Golf and Gem Mining complex in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is back on the map, shedding its former status as an abandoned local landmark to emerge as one of the Grand Strand’s most exciting family attractions for the 2025 season. As of today, December 15, 2025, the once-defunct entertainment spot has completed its dramatic revival, offering a fresh, affordable, and engaging experience for both seasoned tourists and local residents.

This attraction, located conveniently on South Kings Highway, represents more than just a new coat of paint; it’s a full-scale resurrection of a beloved mini-golf and treasure-hunting concept. With new ownership and a set reopening date in mid-2025, Snake River is poised to compete with the area's top entertainment venues, promising all-day fun that won't break the bank for families seeking adventure away from the main beachfront crowds.

The Snake River Revival: Location, Pricing, and Reopening Details

The story of Snake River Golf and Gem Mining is one of transformation. The complex first opened in 2012 but eventually fell into disrepair and closed down, becoming a relic of the past along the busy thoroughfare. However, in a major win for Myrtle Beach tourism, new owner Mark Whitesell spearheaded a project to give the "abandoned mining town" theme a new life and a fresh look.

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The revival focused on restoring the 18-hole mini-golf course and completely revitalizing the unique gem mining attraction, ensuring a premium experience for its guests. The official reopening was set for May 15, 2025, perfectly timed for the peak summer tourist season, making it a must-visit destination for anyone planning a trip to the South Carolina coast in the latter half of the year.

Essential Visitor Information

• Location: 4827 South Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575.
• Status: Fully Revived and Open (as of mid-2025).
• Mini Golf Pricing: $8.00 per person for an all-day pass.
• Gem Mining Pricing: Starts at $5.00.
• Attractions: 18-Hole Mini-Golf Course and Gemstone Mining Sluice.

The affordability is a key selling point, especially the "all-day" golf pass, which allows families to take a break for lunch or a beach trip and return later to finish their round or challenge their score. This value proposition sets it apart in the competitive Myrtle Beach mini-golf market.

The 18-Hole Mini Golf Challenge: A Fresh Look at a Classic Course

Myrtle Beach is famously known as the "Mini-Golf Capital of the World," boasting dozens of themed courses from pirates and dinosaurs to volcanoes and jungles. Snake River Golf and Gem Mining adds a distinct, rustic, "old mining town" theme to this collection. The 18-hole course is designed to be accessible for children but engaging enough for adults, offering a classic, fun-focused putt-putt experience.

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The recent renovations have addressed the issues of disrepair that plagued the course in its previous iteration, ensuring smooth greens, well-maintained obstacles, and a clean, family-friendly environment. While the course is described as "basic" compared to some of the area's massive adventure golf complexes, its charm lies in its simplicity and the excellent value it provides.

Unlike some of the highly stylized courses like *Captain Hook's Adventure Golf* or *Jurassic Golf*, Snake River leans into its rustic, western-themed setting. Visitors can expect to navigate their balls around mining carts, wooden structures, and water features that are central to the overall theme. This provides a refreshing change of pace for families who have already experienced the area's more common pirate and dinosaur themes.

The Thrill of the Dig: A Deep Dive into the Gem Mining Experience

The most unique and compelling aspect of the Snake River attraction is the gemstone mining experience. This hands-on activity taps into the universal curiosity of treasure hunting, making it a huge draw for children and rock enthusiasts alike. The concept is based on a traditional mining sluice—a long, wooden trough with running water—where participants sift through a bag of "mining rough" to uncover hidden treasures.

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For a starting price of just $5.00, visitors receive a bag of dirt and sand, which is "salted" with various types of gems and fossils. They then use a sifting tray, or "screen box," to wash away the dirt in the flowing water of the sluice, revealing the colorful stones and fossils hidden inside.

What You Can Expect to Find

While the exact composition of the mining rough is proprietary, tourist gem mining operations typically include a variety of attractive, colorful stones. Based on the geological resources of South Carolina and the nature of these tourist experiences, visitors are likely to find a mix of:

• Quartz Crystals: Clear, milky, or smoky quartz, a staple of the region.
• Amethyst: The purple variety of quartz, a popular and beautiful find.
• Fossils: Small shark teeth, shells, or other ancient relics.
• Colorful Gemstones: Stones like rose quartz, citrine, jasper, garnet, or even small pieces of rough ruby or sapphire, though the latter are less common in a basic bag.

The gem mining area, which was once an abandoned water tower and trough system, has been fully restored and modernized to provide a safe and exciting experience. The process of watching the dirt wash away to reveal a shiny stone is a genuinely thrilling moment for all ages, creating a lasting souvenir from the *Grand Strand* vacation. This activity builds on the area's rich history of similar gold-rush and treasure-themed attractions like *Lost Treasure Mini Golf* and *Lost Mine Miniature Golf*.

Topical Authority: Why Snake River is a Must-Visit in 2025

The successful reopening of Snake River Golf and Gem Mining adds a significant new layer to the *Myrtle Beach family fun* landscape. Its location on *Highway 17S* makes it easily accessible, and its unique combination of *putt-putt* and *gemstone mining* ensures a diverse experience that appeals to different interests. The entire complex has been transformed from a rundown property into a vibrant, clean, and affordable entertainment center.

For families researching their *2025 Myrtle Beach attractions* itinerary, Snake River offers a compelling alternative to the larger, more expensive theme parks. The all-day golf pass encourages repeat play, and the low-cost entry to the *gem mining sluice* makes it an easy spontaneous activity. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic, hands-on entertainment in the age of digital distraction, solidifying its place among the best *mini golf courses* in the area. The revitalization of this property is a positive sign for the entire *South Carolina* tourism sector, proving that old gems can indeed be polished back to a brilliant shine.