What tools for mining would be recommended to bring? I've read up on rockhounding but haven't actually got to go yet, also does anyone know of any other places similar to this?

Bbring screw driver shovel bucket water and since it's first time dig in the piles u do find nice things there and just look on line for public mines there is a lot around there

I brought a shovel, 5 gallon bucket, gloves and plenty of water or Gatorade. At diamond hill mine the workers dig into the earth, set the soil on a large pile outside the pit areas and the customers are free to go through the soil and keep all they collect. This is not a peppered area. I collected beautiful cystals when there.