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Indiana is home to a few nice rockhounding sites, and the state offers a variety of interesting rocks and minerals to find. This is even though the state’s bedrock is primarily made of sedimentary rock, which usually offers little in the way of spectacular specimens, apart from fossils.
Collecting rocks from the surface of the ground in fields can yield good specimens that have been transported there by glaciers during the ice age. The best collecting sites in the state are a few places in the northeast, southern, and central parts of the state, and are discussed in this article.
The Best Rockhounding Spots in Indiana Are:
| Site | Public or Private | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Brown County State Park | Public | 39.176480,-86.26579 |
| Yellowwood State Forest | Public | 39.1843, -86.3380 |
| Salt Creek | Public | 39.1197, -86.3985 |
| France Stone Quarry | Public | 40.75961,-86.28093 |
| Highland Creek | Public | 39.48394, -86.43805 |
| Maumee River | Public | 41.081918, -85.112732 |
| Elizabethtown | Public | 39.1658585, -85.777744 |
Rocks and minerals that can be found in Indiana include agate, jasper, petrified wood, calcite, pyrite, geodes, sphalerite, corundum, quartz, topaz, diamond, amethyst, moonstone, goethite, selenite, and fossils, among others.
If you want to check out the best books about rockhounding in Indiana, you can find them here (Amazon link).
Rockhounding Regulations and Laws in Indiana
Rockhounding on federal tracts of land (those managed by the Bureau of Land Management) is allowed. Some state parks permit the collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils from their lands.
As the rules regarding rockhounding on public and private lands are always changing, be sure to check with the state parks or landowners before you head out to new sites on your rockhounding adventures.
The Best Public Rockhounding Sites in Indiana
You can find the best rockhounding sites in Indiana that are open to the public below.
Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park is located near the centre of Indiana and is the largest state park in the state. The diversity of minerals in this park is lower than in other mineral-hunting places, but there are still good specimens to be found.
This park is renowned for its beauty, making rockhounding even more pleasant. This park is a good place to picnic while taking a break from rockhounding.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Corundum | Occasional |
| Quartz | Common |
| Topaz | Rare |
| Diamond | Rare |
Yellowwood State Forest
You can pan for gold in the Yellowwood State Forest. Gold panning requires a gold panning permit, which doesn’t cost anything. The permit can be obtained in person at the Forest Office, or you can call them at 812-988-7945. Digging tools are not permitted, nor are sluices. This is to keep the quality of the water in the streams high.
The bedrock is sedimentary in this park, but rocks and minerals transported by glaciers can be found, such as gold and other minerals found in volcanic rocks. If you happen to stumble upon archaeological artefacts, they must be reported to the Forest Office. The park was created in 1940. More info about the Yellowwood State Forest can be found here.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Agate | Occasional |
| Calcite | Occasional |
| Geodes | Occasional |
| Quartz | Occasional |
Salt Creek
Salt Creek is a tributary of the White River. It starts in the southwest of Bartholomew County and flows through Brown and Monroe counties. The creek took its name from the many brine springs that can be found along the course of the river. This salt was a valuable commodity to both the original indigenous population and later with early settlers of the region.
The creek bed and banks are of sedimentary rock, and a range of minerals and fossils can be discovered there, as can minerals and rocks that were transported to the area by the glaciers of the ice age.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Agate | Occasional |
| Calcite | Occasional |
| Geodes | Occasional |
| Quartz | Occasional |
France Stone Quarry
Located near the town of Cloverdale, the France Stone Quarry has become a popular rockhounding site since the quarry was shut down. The quarry is located in the St. Louis Limestone Formation, which is known for its abundance of nice fossils. The quarry was initially used to produce aggregates.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Apatite | Occasional |
| Calcite | Occasional |
| Pyrite | Occasional |
| Quartz | Occasional |
| Amethyst | Occasional |
| Fossils | Common |
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Highland Creek
Highland Creek is not a particularly well-known place to rockhound, which reduces the competition for the best specimens.
It’s always nice to rockhound in a scenic setting such as the one found at Highland Creek; the river meanders through its course, and as it does, it exposes banks and gravels, which are good places to look for interesting rock, fossil, and mineral specimens.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Garnet | Occasional |
| Diamond | Rare |
| Hematite | Occasional |
| Pyrite | Occasional |
| Sapphire | Rare |
Maumee River
One of the better places to hunt for interesting rocks and minerals in northern Indiana is the gravels and banks of the Maumee River near Fort Wayne. Recently ploughed farm fields nearby are also good places to rockhound.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Corundum | Rare |
| Topaz | Rare |
| Quartz | Occasional |
| Fluorite | Occasional |
| Calcite | Occasional |
| Agate | Occasional |
Elizabethtown
Good rock hunting can be found in the quarries around Elizabethtown. A particular form of calcite that can be found there is called dog-tooth spar because of its distinctive shape and milky colour. Marcasite can also be found around Elizabethtown and is often of a silver or brassy colour.
Additionally, fluorite can be found here, but tends to be of lesser quality than fluorite found in other states. In addition to rocks and minerals, fossils of stromatoporoids, brachiopods, and corals can be found in the limestone bedrock.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Calcite | Common |
| Marcasite | Occasional |
| Fluorite | Occasional |
| Fossils | Common |
TIP: Check out the article below for a complete guide on rockhounding on Lake Michigan beaches:
Guide: Best Rock Hunting Beaches on Lake Michigan
Other Notable Rockhounding Spots in Indiana
In addition to the sites listed above, here are some more places that are good locations to look for rocks and minerals in the state.
Spots in Northern Indiana
Here are some additional rockhounding sites that can be found in northern Indiana.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logansport quarries | Public | 40.739649, -86.292431 | Apatite, calcite, pyrite, and quartz |
| Huntington quarries and outcrops | Public | 40.891534, -85.465069 | Calcite, marcasite, quartz, pyrite, sphalerite |
| Bluffton quarry | Public | 40.769299, -85.184516 | Dolomite, pyrite, marcasite |
| Erie stream gravels | Public | 40.783995, -85.898827 | Geodes |
Spots in Eastern Indiana
Here are some additional rockhounding spots that can be found in eastern Indiana.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weisburg road cuts and outcrops | Public | 39.222209, -85048409 | Trilobite fossils |
| New Point quarries | Public | 39.323177, -85.435025 | Chalcopyrite |
Spots in Western Indiana
Here are some more rockhounding spots that can be found in western Indiana.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Pine Creek | Public | 40.410001, -87.343298 | Barite, sphalerite, petrified wood, siderite, pyrite, marcasite |
| Park County mine dumps and streams | Public | 39.772831, -87.213747 | Goethite, pyrite, selenite, marcasite, sphalerite |
| Bicknell coal mines | Public | 38.729270, -87.431596 | Pyrite, marcasite |
Spots in Southern Indiana
Here are some additional rockhounding spots that can be found in southern Indiana.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coryden quarries | Public | 38.246858, -86.149147 | Calcite, pink dolomite, quartz, fluorite |
| Coal Hollow outcrops | Public | 38.625640, -86.765392 | Siderite |
| Georgia quarries and outcrops | Public | 38.709505, -86.575640 | Barite, dolomite, strontianite |
| Buddha quarries | Public | 38.771705, -86.377726 | Celestite, gypsum, strontianite, barite, calcite |
| Bedford | Public | 38.872064, -86.419909 | Geodes |
| Oolitic | Public | 38.899872, -86.533833 | Oolitic limestone |
| Lawrence County streams and gravels | Public | 38.976521, -86.505236 | Geodes |
| Harrodsburg road cuts | Public | 39.074332, -86.536480 | Calcite, aragonite, dolomite |
| Greenhorn Creek placer sands | Public | 39.12, -86.196322 | Gold |
| Bloomington quarries | Public | 39.169609, -86.622747 | Fluorite, calcite, barite, aragonite |
| Brown County gravels | Public | 39.196118, -86.21679 | Diamond, topaz, quartz, corundum |
| Beanblossom Creek | Public | 39.262129, -86.248296 | Geodes |
| Spencer quarries and stream banks | Public | 39.280386, -86.781704 | Barite, siderite, celestite |
| Morgan County stream gravels | Public | 39.483289, -86.438056 | Quartz, topaz, corundum, diamond |
TIP: Gold is often found in Indiana Creeks. Do you know what other types of rocks can be found in creeks? Check out the most common rocks you can find in the creeks in the article below:
Seven Most Common Types of Rocks Found in Creeks
Rockhounding Clubs in Indiana
The 500 Earth Sciences Club
The 500 Earth Science Club dedicates itself to the education of its members in the fields of earth science, focusing in particular on geology, mineralogy, lapidary arts, archaeology, micro mounting, and palaeontology. The society holds monthly meetings for a presentation and for the discussion of these topics of interest and related subjects.
The meetings are open to the general public. In addition to the monthly meetings, the society also offers its members a newsletter and field trips to various collecting sites. Also, a gem, mineral, and fossil show is held the weekend after Labor Day. Their website can be found here.
Eastern Indiana Gem and Geological Society
The Eastern Indiana Gem and Geological Society is located in Richmond and primarily serves the eastern and central areas of Indiana as well as western Ohio. Membership is open to the public and caters to those interested in the earth sciences.
The stated purpose of the club is education and fellowship among all those interested in the earth sciences and in related fields such as lapidary arts and the collection and display of rocks, minerals, and fossils. Membership in the society costs $20 per individual and $30 for families. Their website can be found here.
Lawrence County Rock Club, Inc
Also known as the Bedford Rock Club, the Lawrence County Rock Club is an educational organisation that is dedicated to advancing and enhancing interest in rock, mineral, fossil, and gem collecting, the study of earth science and geology, the lapidary arts, and the exchange of information with others passionate about the hobby.
The club hosts monthly meetings. Membership in the club costs $10 for both families and individual adults. The cost for junior membership is $1.50. Juniors must be accompanied by an adult. Their website can be found here.
Michiana Gem and Mineral Society
The Michiana Gem and Mineral Society’s stated purpose is to promote the study and enjoyment of the lapidary arts and of the earth sciences and to share lapidary techniques. The society hosts monthly meetings.
Membership in the society costs $10 for an individual and $20 for families. Junior memberships are available for those 16 and younger, which cost $1.00. There is also the option of being a subscriber only, for those mainly interested in the newsletter. These memberships cost $7.50. The society’s website can be found here.
State Rock and Fossil
The state rock of Indiana is Salem limestone, which was designated the state rock in 1971. This limestone was laid down in what was at the time a shallow, warm sea approximately 400 million years ago, eventually becoming the land known as Indiana. Marine fossils can be found in this stone. When this stone is quarried and used as a building material, it is called “Indiana limestone” or “Bedford limestone”. This stone can be found from the Ohio River in Harrison County in southeastern Indiana to near the border between Montgomery and Park counties in the central west part of the state.
Image: By James St. John – Fossil red algae (Salem Limestone, Middle Mississippian; Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA), CC BY 2.0, source
The mastodon is the state fossil of Indiana. The mastodon fossils found in Indiana are from around 10,000 to 13,000 years ago. These fossils are found throughout the state and have been uncovered in nearly every county.
Recommended Rockhounding Gear
While special gear is not required to find nice rocks and fossils, having the right tools will help you find more than what’s simply laying around on the open ground. Here are some of the more basic tools and safety gear for interested rockhounds.
Geological Hammer
This 22oz Pointed-Tip Rock Pick by Estwing (Amazon link) is recommended for its durability and shock-reducing grip.
A rock pick is essential when collecting mineral specimens from a hard substrate such as stone. The pick’s handle is shock-resistant, making it more comfortable for use for longer times in the field.
Geology Pick
The Geology pick by Estwing (Amazon link) is a good choice for those starting out in the hobby as well as seasoned professionals.
The hammer comes with a pointed tip on one side of the head and a chiseled end on the other. This pick is good for excavating interesting mineral and fossil specimens.
Mini Shovel
The Mini D-Handle Round Point Shovel by Stanley (Amazon link) pairs convenience with durability. Especially in areas of soft material such as sand or clay, it is nice to have a sturdy shovel that is easy to carry.
The D-shaped handle gives you more leverage when digging on your knees, which is something that similarly sized standard-handled shovels wouldn’t provide.
Heavy Duty Work Gloves by Ironclad
Working with your hands in rockhounding environments can be rough; it is easy to get cuts or abrasions when in the field. Protecting your hands is important, especially while working with sharp or abrasive rocks.
The Heavy Duty Work Gloves by Ironclad (Amazon link) protect your hands from sharp rocks and tools. They are machine washable, highly abrasion resistant, and durable.
Safety Glasses
Eye protection is a must when breaking up a rock or any sort of work where debris could cause injury to your eyes.
The 3M Safety Glasses (Amazon link) are anti-fog and have a corded earplug system, as well as a removable foam gasket. The clear, scratch-resistant lenses shield the eyes against harmful ultraviolet light as well as prevent eye injury from flying rock chips.
First Aid Kit
With its 299 pieces, the Only Emergency First Aid Kit (Amazon link) is a good one for rockhounds. Of course, it’s best to avoid injuring yourself but if things go wrong it’s good to be prepared.
Some of the items found in the kit include fabric and plastic bandages, painkillers, gauze and pads, cold packs, wound closers, and many more.
Conclusion
While not a state known for its geological diversity, Indiana nevertheless offers good rockhounding in some places. Many rockhounding enthusiasts, both local and from out of state, can find a variety of good sites to search for rocks and minerals in Indiana.
TIP: Learn about Indiana’s world-famous limestone, colorful celestine, and other common rocks and minerals in the article below:
14 Common Rocks & Minerals You Can Find in Indiana