Best Rockhounding Spots in Vermont
Free rockhounding locations, pay-to-dig mines, permit rules, and community field notes for Vermont
Top Minerals Found in Vermont
- 💎Talc
- 💎Marble
- 💎Dolomite
- 💎Garnet
- 💎Staurolite
- 💎Calcite
- 💎Pyrite
- 💎Epidote
Best Regions to Explore
Best Season to Visit
Spring through fall. Spring mud season makes dirt roads challenging.
Expert Collecting Tips
Vermont's Champlain Valley has extensive Paleozoic fossil exposures. The state's marble quarrying history means many old quarry dumps contain interesting minerals. Talc quarries in southern Vermont are productive.
⭐ Vermont Rockhounding Highlight
Vermont marble has been used in monuments and buildings worldwide, and the state's Ordovician rock sequences contain excellent fossiliferous limestone.
Pay-To-Dig Mines in Vermont
Fee-based mining experiences where you keep what you find.
Belvidere Mountain Quarry
Eden Mills, Vermont
💰 $10-$25
Historic asbestos and garnet mine. Collect garnet crystals, mica sheets, and pyrite from the old mine tailings on Belvidere Mountain.
Rochester Garnet Beds
Rochester, Vermont
💰 $10-$20
Collect deep red garnet crystals in schist and mica-rich rock. Vermont is famous for its garnet deposits in the Green Mountains.
Vermont Amethyst Mine
Bristol, Vermont
💰 $15-$30
Dig for amethyst and smoky quartz crystals in the Green Mountain pegmatites. Find purple amethyst points in vugs and cavities.
Free Rockhounding Locations in Vermont
Public and permitted sites where you can hunt for gems and minerals.
Belvidere Mountain
Eden Mills, Vermont
Collect garnet crystals, mica sheets, and pyrite from old asbestos mine tailings on Belvidere Mountain in the Green Mountains.
Rochester Area
Rochester, Vermont
Collect deep red almandine garnet crystals in schist matrix from road cuts and stream beds around Rochester, Vermont.
Bristol Amethyst
Bristol, Vermont
Collect amethyst and smoky quartz crystals from small pegmatite exposures in the Green Mountains near Bristol.
Rockhounding in Vermont — FAQ
Where can I go rockhounding in Vermont?
Vermont has 3 documented free dig sites and 3 pay-to-dig mines in our database. Use the interactive map to find exact coordinates.
What gems can you find in Vermont?
Common finds in Vermont include Garnet, Asbestos, Mica, Quartz, Pyrite, Amethyst. Results vary by site and season.
Do you need a permit to rockhound in Vermont?
Permit requirements in Vermont depend on the land type. BLM land typically allows casual collecting; National Parks do not. Always check before you dig.
What tools do I need for rockhounding in Vermont?
Bring a rock hammer, chisels, safety glasses, gloves, and sturdy boots. A field guide and the We Lick Rocks AI rock identifier app are also great to have on hand.