Monongahela National Forest Collecting

Quartz Crystals

Clear, smoky, and rose quartz crystals are among the most common and rewarding rockhounding finds. Arkansas produces world-class quartz.

Also found at:

• Crater of Diamonds State Park
• Crystal Grove Diamond Mine
• Herkimer Diamond Mines

Calcite

Common but versatile carbonate mineral that forms in many crystal habits. Found in geodes, cave deposits, and veins throughout the US.

Also found at:

• Warsaw Area Geodes
• Hall's Gap
• Rose Hill Mine

Dolomite

Carbonate mineral similar to calcite. Ohio's quarries and the Mississippi Valley region produce dolomite in various formations.

Also found at:

• Ohio Geode Beds
• Knobly Mountain Collecting Area

Geodes

Hollow rocks lined with crystals. Iowa's Keokuk region is the Geode Capital of the World.

Also found at:

• Rockhound State Park
• Keokuk Geode Beds
• Geode State Park

Fossils

From shark teeth in Florida to dinosaurs in Montana, the US offers world-class fossil hunting for all skill levels.

Also found at:

• Fairy Stone State Park
• Calvert Cliffs State Park
• Flag Ponds Nature Park

Jasper

Opaque, fine-grained chalcedony prized for its rich earthy colors and patterns. Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alabama produce exceptional jasper varieties.

Also found at:

• Rockhound State Park
• Black Rock Desert
• Thunder Egg Capital (Richardson's Ranch)

Chert

Also found at:

• No other locations listed yet

West Virginia Fossil Beds

Valley Head, West Virginia · Public Land

Road cuts and exposures for Carboniferous plant fossils, marine fossils, and occasional flint/chert specimens.

West Virginia Lithographic Limestone

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia · Public Land

Greenbrier County limestone beds for high-quality lithographic stone and fine fossil specimens.

Greenbrier County Flint Beds

Lewisburg, West Virginia · Public Land

Greenbrier limestone exposures for flint/chert nodules and Mississippian marine fossils. The Greenbrier Valley is rich in geological history.

Harpers Ferry Area Quartz

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia · Public Land

Potomac River and Shenandoah River gravels for quartz pebbles and other rocks. The area's metamorphic geology produces interesting specimens.

Smoke Hole Caverns / Moonshine Mining Company

Cabins, West Virginia · Fee Dig

The premier gemstone panning and mining attraction at Smoke Hole Resort in the mountains of West Virginia. Over 50 different gemstone varieties and 30...

Devil Anse Gem Mine

Matewan, West Virginia · Fee Dig

The first gem mine operation on the Hatfield McCoy ATV trail system. Covered mining facility open rain or shine, 7 days a week. Guarantees gem finds i...