If you stay at the campground is the admission included in lodging or do you have to pay separately to go mining?

It is separate, but you are able to come and go all day long. IE go back to camp for lunch or such. We stayed at the campground which was very nice and drove across the street, only because we had buckets, hammers, chisel's, sifters. You can rent tools on site but the hammers are 3 lb and for chisel work I prefer my 5 lb sledge. The site is directly across the street from the campground and an easy walk. Just watch the traffic the speed limit is 50 mph in this stretch.

You pay separately. I love mining, but the kids get bored quickly.

You pay separately