Rockhound Locations in New Hampshire
Here at Rockhounding Maps, we give you access and information to the best dig sites for crystals and minerals in New Hampshire. On top of that, we’ve created a resource page to assist with answering all of your gem and mineral collecting questions.
We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because we’re always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. This is a great resource for anyone who loves rockhounding, from beginners to experts alike!
Rockhounding in New Hampshire is a great way to discover the state’s diverse geology and fossilized wildlife. The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them!
We are here for any questions or concerns that might arise about your adventures in mineral collecting.
New Hampshire Rockhound Locations
New Hampshire is known as the Granite State, and it is considered a haven by rockhounds of all ages and stages, from young to old and amateur to professional. However, you’ll have to know where to look.
New Hampshire offers plenty of locations for digging and collecting various crystals, gems, and minerals.
Have you ever dreamed of going on a rock-hounding adventure in New Hampshire? Rockhounds can find Amethyst, Jasper, Beryl, Garnet, and Staurlite. With its diverse landscape, New Hampshire can be a perfect place for you to hunt for rocks!
Be polite wherever you explore. Always pack out what you packed in. Meaning if you stop for a snack while rockhounding at any site, clean up after yourself and pack your trash items back out with you.
Always do your research regarding laws and regulations, and don’t forget to ask for permission to access an area and collect specimens.
This article will discuss the top rockhound locations in New Hampshire and the different types of rocks and minerals you can collect. Don’t forget to make it to the bottom of the page because we list out the best rock and mineral societies in the state. If you’re serious about collecting rocks then you’ll want to join one of these amazing clubs.
If you’re an active rock collector in New Hampshire then send us an email about your favorite locations and we will feature you on the site and we might sponsor you as well. That’s right, we will pay you to go dig for rocks and minerals.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a rock-hounding journey, then grab your rock hammer, and let’s get started!
Dig For Crystals
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Grafton County | 44.268460, -71.607430 | Jasper |
| Melvin Hill | 43.513009, -71.987125 | Golden Beryl |
| Hanover | 43.735386, -72.142749 | Jasper, Rutilated Quartz |
| Lisbon | 44.220483, -71.905029 | Staurolite |
| North Groton | 43.751277, -71.889093 | Aquamarine, Beryl, Lazulite, Quartz |
| Orford | 43.881097, -72.116461 | Staurolite |
| Ore Hill | 44.200185, -71.790984 | Amethyst crystals, Quartz crystals, Staurolite |
| Beech Hill | 43.910545, -71.916485 | Beryl, Quartz crystals |
| Francestown | 42.989075, -71.806285 | Jasper |
| Severance Hill | 43.523710, -71.899439 | Beryl |
| Mount Kearsage | 43.384026, -71.857482 | Rose Quartz |
| Raymond | 43.003694, -71.208219 | Feldspar, Beryl, Garnet, Rose Quartz, Spodumene |
| Beryl Mountain | 43.180990, -72.294144 | Beryl, Rose Quartz |
| Pillsbury Ridge | 43.535018, -71.994386 | Aquamarine, Beryl, Amethyst, Smoky Quartz |
| Melvin Hill | 43.558058, -72.071460 | Beryl, Garnet |
Beryl Mountain is a free site that allows rockhounds to take home any specimens they find and collect at the location. Being a free site, it’s an excellent location for families to explore together.
If you’re in search of the famous Rose Quartz, you might want to consider exploring near the peak of Mount Kearsarge in New Hampshire. There’s a likely possibility that you’ll have a stroke of luck there.
Kearsarge offers a quaint little community in Carroll County. The mountain, Mount Kearsarge, overlooks the beautiful area and is home to Mount Kearsarge State Park. If you’re interested in rockhounding on the mountain, you should know that Mount Kearsarge is steep. However, it’s an excellent climb for moderate to experienced hikers who are also into rockhounding.
Aside from Rose Quartz, hounds might also find graphite near the mountain’s peak. However, before starting your adventure, it’s essential that you double-check with State Park officials before pocketing anything you find. It’s also advised and highly recommended that rockhounds are mindful of preserving the natural environment and resist the temptation to overharvest specimens in any area.
Per White Mountain National Forest you’re not allowed to collect rocks, minerals, or specimens on Mount Nancy, Mt. Hutchins, or any other location in the White Mountain National Forest.
All of the hard work will pay off. Rock and mineral enthusiasts will be happy to find specimens including Beryl, Fluorite, Muscovite, Pyrite, Chlorite, Smoky Quartz, Feldspar, Amethyst, Topaz, Limonite, and more at this location.
Dig For Gems and Gemstones
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Conway | 44.004258, -71.162176 | Feldspar, Quartz crystals, Topaz |
| Hurricane Mountain, general area | 44.071208, -71.074138 | Amethyst, Smoky Quartz |
| Moat Mountain Mineral Site | 44.021988, -71.170115 | Smoky Quartz crystals, Amazonite, Topaz |
| Gilmanton | 43.417117, -71.412829 | Jasper |
| Redstone | 44.019494, -71.096789 | Amethyst, Apatite, Quartz crystals, Topaz |
| Province Lake | 43.691967, -71.015280 | Beryl, Feldspar |
| Spofford Lake | 42.913643, -72.454126 | Fluorite |
| Hinsdale | 42.786162, -72.465832 | Rhodonite |
| Bassett Hill | 42.957980, -72.191041 | Beryl, Aquamarine |
| Bald Hill | 42.958869, -72.222104 | Fluorite |
| Derry Hill | 43.044833, -72.371712 | Beryl, Rose Quartz |
| Park Hill | 42.971176, -72.459714 | Staurolite |
| Winchester | 42.787309, -72.330654 | Rhodonite |
| Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area | 44.231301, -70.979911 | Amethyst, Quartz, Feldspar, Beryl, Garnet, Pyrite, Muscovite |
| Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area | 44.224105, -70.953643 | Feldspar, Quartz, Topaz, Garnet |
| Indian Stream | 45.281145, -71.291551 | Gold nuggets |
| Mount Jasper | 44.485176, -71.193363 | Jasper |
| Victor Head | 44.643505, -71.410189 | Albite, Amethyst, Beryl, Feldspar, Fluorite, Muscovite, Pyrite, Quartz crystals, Topaz |
| Stratford | 44.735938, -71.441129 | Amethyst |
| Pearl Lake | 44.196692, -71.868190 | Staurolite |
Mount Jasper is located near the largest city in the state’s Coo County, Berlin. It’s an excellent location to seek the highly-coveted light green Jasper. The location is relatively easy to find for locals and visitors, find Berlin Senior High School, and you’re almost there.
There are various trails in and around the mountain that are free for the public to access. That said, the trails are good areas to start your search for Jasper and other specimens. You could always drive up the mountain, which opens more opportunities for incredible rockhounding.
One important thing to remember when searching Mount Jasper is to stay mindful of all signage indicating private property.
Of course, we had to include the White Mountain National Forest. If you’re already near Mount Kearsarge, why not head north of town to this rockhound location? It’s an excellent area for rock-collecting opportunities, and you can go camping too!
The Moat Mountain Smoky Quartz Collecting Area is a highly renowned rockhound location. It’s easily accessible for rockhounds of all experience levels, from beginners to pros.
This location features tiny crystals of Smoky Quartz. While the site offers collecting as a free activity, you might expect fees for parking, laws, and regulation associated with this area.
Rockhounds should expect a walk of about a mile from the closest parking space. While planning your trip to this location, you may want to keep that in mind, but the walk is worth it.
New Hampshire is incredibly popular for its sharp mountain peaks and stunning natural backdrops. It’s also an excellent place to hunt for incredible specimens.
Rock And Mineral Societies
New Hampshire is a US state of New England, full of quaint little towns and large expanses of wilderness, perfect for rockhounding. Local rockhounds and outsiders interested in exploring the state should consider joining a local rock and mineral society. Aside from being in touch with other hounds that share a common interest, being a member can provide insight into some of the low-key and lesser-known locations.
The Capital Mineral Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating members in the fields of geology, mineralogy, and subjects relating to the topics.
Capital Mineral Club has given and provides grants to college students for their field camp studies and thesis work on New Hampshire’s mineralogy. The club also sponsors lectures and informative displays for schools and at several locations throughout the state.
Monthly meetings are held on the second Saturday from September through May in Canterbury, New Hampshire. CMC features members-only field collecting trips. Some of their previous trips consisted of collecting trips to the Tripp and Clark Mines in Alstead, the Palermo Mine, and a visit to the Ruggles Mine in Grafton.
The Keene Mineral Club was founded in 1948 and continues to be an active group of collectors united by a shared passion for rockhounding. There are currently over 100 members with interests covering the entire spectrum of rockhounding, including minerals, crystals, gems, micro-mounts, fossils, the lapidary arts, and more.
The KMC is open to people of all ages, with some of the youngest members being under the age of 6 and elders over 80.
Club meetings are held on the first Saturday of every month, from September through June. KMC meetings are held in Winchester, New Hampshire. Typical meetings include feature speakers, demonstrations, films, and slide programs.
Starting on the first Saturday in May, the club holds an auction. The materials for the auctions are provided by group members. Usually, they include fossil and mineral specimens, books, tools, and more. The club sponsors a club-swapping space on the fourth weekend in June at the Gilsum Rock Swap. Here, members can set up their own displays where they can trade with dealers and other swappers.
On top of all that, club members can go on field trips, including monthly visits to collection and mining localities. Trips usually start in April and run through November.
A single membership is $12, and a family membership is $14, with the e-newsletters. The dues for those who receive mailed paper newsletters are $20 a year.
Southeastern New Hampshire Mineral Club
The Southeastern New Hampshire Mineral Club Was founded in the spring of 1956. 2003 marked the club’s first Gem and Mineral show. The show is a significant source of funding for the Scholarship Program that was started under the guidance of Earl Packard, with support from the entire club. The scholarship program is open to any student of Geo-sciences.
Southeastern New Hampshire Mineral Club hosts monthly meetings on the second Wednesday, from September through June, in Dover, New Hampshire. Every meeting includes a video or speaker that teaches attendees about various topics in geoscience and mineralogy. Many of the club’s members have been rockhound enthusiasts for a long time and offer help with different mineral identification and other related topics. The club meetings are also open to the public.
From the beginning of May through the end of October, club members go out on regular field trips to various localities in New Hampshire, Maine, and throughout New England. The field trips are not open to the public and are limited to members only.
While the idea of rockhounding is a fresh and new hobby or interest, people have been doing it for centuries. Becoming a member of a rock club or society opens up so many different avenues for both newbies and professionals to learn more about the trade. If you live in or plan on visiting New Hampshire and you appreciate rockhounding, check out some of these clubs.
