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Maple syrup, colorful fall foliage, and quaint B&B inns are some of Vermont’s most popular attractions for most tourists, but rockhounds visit this state for the collectible stones that are tucked away in the scenic landscapes. Dive into Vermont’s best rockhounding locations and what types you can find in the following sections.
The best rockhounding spots in Vermont are:
| Site | Public or Private | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Belvidere Mountain Quarries | Private | 44.766221, -72.522364 |
| Adams Brook | Public | 42.951861, -72.758926 |
| Williams River | Public | 43.253598, -72.573550 |
| Ely Mine | Private | 43.929295, -72.284985 |
| Niquette Bay | Public | 44.584807, -73.193035 |
| Perkinsville | Public | 43.370744, -72.514560 |
| Lake Champlain | Public | 44.124200, -73.368203 |
| Lake Willoughby | Public | 44.757027, -72.054527 |
Vermont might not be the largest U.S. state, but thanks to the Green Mountains and abundance of rivers and waterways, this state has a great assortment of rocks and minerals. Some popular rockhounding finds from this state include marble, agate, gold, tourmaline, garnet, serpentine, and jasper. Check out the public and private rockhounding locations of Vermont to learn where you can find each one of these stones.
If you want to check out the best book about rockhounding in Vermont, you can find it here (Amazon link).
Rockhounding Regulations & Laws in Vermont
Rockhounding regulations and laws vary by state, and fortunately for rockhounds, Vermont’s rules are pretty simple. In the Green Mountain State, you won’t need to do a ton of research to determine whether rockhounding is legal in certain areas; all you need to know is whether the land is public or private.
There are no permits required for recreational rockhounding on public and private lands; however, if you plan to rockhound for commercial purposes, then it’s best to contact the VDFPR, which stands for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.
For private lands, the only rockhounding rule is that you need to obtain permission from the landowner or manager before collecting. As long as you gain permission, you can rockhound legally on private property in Vermont.
For public lands, rockhounds can collect legally on lands managed by the VDFR. The only areas that are off-limits are wildlife habitats and management areas, scenic areas, and historic sites. If you have questions about the legality of rockhounding at a certain public area, reach out to the VDFPR for more information.
Best Rockhounding Sites in Vermont
Now, this is the part of this guide you’ve all been waiting for: the best rockhounding locations in Vermont and what you can find at each one.
In case you need it, the map below shows you the exact locations for all of the best public sites mentioned below:
Keep in mind that these locations are a mix of public and private lands (which you can see in the chart above), so you might have to acquire permission before exploring certain areas. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the rockhounding opportunities in the Green Mountain State.
Belvidere Mountain Quarries
Anyone who wants to add green vesuvianite, garnet, serpentine, epidote, and calcite crystals to their location should check out the Belvidere Mountain Quarries. Also unofficially known as the Eden Mills Quarries, these quarries are located near the Belvidere Mountain in Lowell, Vermont. Most quarries in this area mined asbestos all throughout the 1900s, but ceased in the 1990s.
These mines are located between Eden and Lowell. If you’re traveling from Lowell, take Hazen Notch Road to Mines Road, and then take Mines Road down to the quarries. Anyone traveling from Eden will need to take the Vermont RTE 100 to N Road, which is right across from Lake Eden.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Vesuvianite | Rare |
| Garnet | Common |
| Serpentine | Occasional |
| Epidote | Common |
| Calcite | Common |
| Tourmaline | Occasional |
Adams Brook
If you happen to pass through Newfane, you might come across a small creek called Adams Brook, which is a tributary of the Rock River. While this small creek might look unimpressive at first glance, it contains a wealth of collectible rocks and minerals, mainly serpentine, quartz, tourmaline, and agate. Agates from this area can come in multiple colors, including red, orange, and green.
You can reach Adams Brook by taking Dover Road or Old County Road to Adams Hill Road. Jockey Hollow Road will also take you close to this creek.
| Rocks & Mineral | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Serpentine | Occasional |
| Quartz | Common |
| Tourmaline | Occasional |
| Agate | Common |
Williams River
The Williams River is one of the Connecticut River’s tributaries, and it starts at the Vermont/New Hampshire border and travels up to Andover. If you’re looking for a rockhounding location in Vermont where you can collect a wide variety of minerals, this is it! At this location, rockhounds often gather staurolite, kyanite, quartz, pyrite, garnet, calcite, and tourmaline.
As mentioned, the Williams River stretched over a long distance in Vermont, from the New Hampshire border all the way to Andover. Many rockhounds have had luck hunting near Gassets, but any part of the Williams River is a great area for rockhounds to be.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Staurolite | Rare |
| Kyanite | Rare |
| Quartz | Common |
| Pyrite | Common |
| Garnet | Occasional |
| Calcite | Common |
| Tourmaline | Occasional |
Ely Mine
Abandoned mines are like treasure chests for rockhounds, and Ely Mine definitely fits this description. As an abandoned copper mine, Ely Mine holds all sorts of unique finds for rockhounds, such as pyrite, tourmaline, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, garnet, and malachite. This mine operated from 1854 to 1883, closing in 1883 due to a chaotic labor strike that’s known as the Ely War.
Located near South Vershire, Ely Mine is in a remote location, but you can reach it from the South Vershire Road. If you see the Green Mountain Copper Mine, then you are getting close; you just need to go a little bit north to reach Ely Mine.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Pyrite | Common |
| Tourmaline | Rare |
| Chalcopyrite | Common |
| Sphalerite | Rare |
| Garnet | Common |
| Malachite | Occasional |
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)
Niquette Bay
While most of the locations we’ve discussed so far contain many minerals and a couple of rocks, this area is for the rock lovers. The Niquette Bay State Park contains quality agate, jasper, and chert. You can search for these rocks and the gravels, and the outcroppings located around the bay.
You can use Interstate 89 to reach Roosevelt Highway, which leads right to the Niquette Bay State Park. As long as you find Roosevelt Highway, you’ll be able to find Niquette Bay.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Agate | Common |
| Jasper | Common |
| Chert | Common |
Perkinsville
Just north of the North Springfield Reservoir lies Perkinsville, a small area located off Highway 106. This area happens to be surrounded by rivers, creeks, ponds, and reservoirs, making it a rockhounding hotspot. In Perkinsville, you can find smoky quartz, pyrite, calcite, ilmenite, chlorite, and biotite.
There are only two ways in and out of Perkinsville. The first is to take Highway 106, and the second is to take Maple St/Quarry Road into the area.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Smoky quartz | Common |
| Pyrite | Occasional |
| Calcite | Occasional |
| Ilmenite | Common |
| Chlorite | Common |
| Biotite | Common |
Lake Champlain
Even though Lake Champlain isn’t considered one of the Great Lakes, it’s still an excellent area to go rockhounding. The shores of Lake Champlain hide agate, quartz, and magnetite in its gravels and sands.
From the Canadian border to West Haven, Lake Champlain covers a lot of ground. But no matter which area of Lake Champlain you go to, you’ll be able to collect all sorts of fascinating rocks and minerals.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Agate | Common |
| Quartz | Common |
| Magnetite | Occasional |
Lake Willoughby
There are very few areas in Vermont where you can find beryl, and Lake Willoughby is one of them. In addition to beryl, rockhounds also discover garnet, muscovite, and vesuvianite crystals.
This lake is nestled between Westmore and the Willoughby State Park, and there are multiple routes you can take depending on where you are coming from.
| Rocks & Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Quartz | Common |
| Calcite | Common |
| Epidote | Rare |
| Prehnite | Occasional |
TIP: Vermont offers a wealth of opportunities for gold prospectors. Check out the complete guide on gold prospecting in Vermont below:
Gold Prospecting in Vermont: 7 Best Locations & Laws
Other Notable Rockhounding Spots in Vermont
Interested in learning more about Vermont’s rockhounding opportunities? Take a look at some more great rockhounding spots in Vermont below:
| Site | Public or Private | GPS Coordinates | Common Rocks/Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil’s Den | Public | 43.344233, -72.881508 | Quartz (clear & smoky), pyrite, ilmenite |
| Round Hill | Public | 43.558119, -72.923991 | Aventurine |
| Gold Brook | Public | 44.443544, -72.669985 | Gold |
| Bennington | Public | 42.864406, -73.189790 | Feldspar, garnet, biotite, quartz |
Rockhounding Clubs in Vermont
Even though Vermont isn’t overflowing with rockhounding clubs, there are a couple of organizations that are definitely worth checking out. Take a look at the clubs below to find the one for you!
Mineralogical Society of Brattleboro
The Mineralogical Society of Brattleboro meets on the 1st Tuesday of every month in Brattleboro, Vermont. At this time, this organization does not have a website, so it’s best to visit the group for more information and details about the club.
Burlington Gem and Mineral Club
If you’re looking for a more formal rockhounding organization, the Burlington Gem and Mineral Club (BGMC) is a great fit for you. This club is a member of the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies, Inc. (EFMLS) and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).
They host meetings, collection trips, auctions, and shows throughout the year. Yearly membership dues are $12.00 for an individual membership or $20.00 for a family membership.
State Rock, Mineral, Gem, and Fossil of Vermont
Vermont is a state that goes four for four when it comes to state geological symbols, meaning it has a state, rock, state mineral, state gem, and state fossil. Let’s go over each one in more detail.
State Rock
Instead of just one state rock, Vermont decided to choose three! Marble, granite, and slate are the state rocks of Vermont, and each one is abundant in the state. Additionally, all three are commonly used in architecture and monuments both inside and outside of the state. Since all three made significant contributions to the economy and environment of the state, they all received the title of state rock.
State Fossil
Did you know that Vermont is the only state that has a living species as their state fossil? The beluga whale is the state fossil of Vermont, but unlike other state fossils that went extinct centuries ago, the beluga whale is still in existence today. However, even though the beluga whale is the state fossil, it has to share that title with the Mount Holly Mammoth. The beluga whale is considered the state marine fossil, while the Mount Holly Mammoth is the state terrestrial fossil.
State Mineral
Talc is extremely common in Vermont, so it makes sense that it’s the state mineral. Usually, talc from this state is green in color and soft, and it’s discovered in thin layers. These layers are left over from the ocean that used to cover the land centuries ago.
State Gem
And lastly, the state gem of Vermont is the grossular garnet. Designated in 1992, this garnet is particularly abundant in Eden Mills, specifically the Belvidere Quarries. These mines have produced some of the highest quality grossular garnets, so they are definitely worth visiting when you are in the state.
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
It’s clear that Vermont has much more to offer rockhounds than just colorful fall foliage and maple syrup! With stunning grossular garnets, tourmalines, serpentines, agates, jaspers, and vesuvianite crystals, there are more than enough treasures in this state to satisfy any rockhound. On your next rockhounding adventure, visit Vermont to add some rare and unique finds to your collection.
TIP: While most people associate Vermont with maple syrup and green mountains rather than rocks, it actually has many collectible rocks and minerals. Find out more in the article below:
11 Common Rocks & Minerals You Can Find in Vermont