Rockhounding New Jersey: 7 Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils

There are many places to go rockhounding in New Jersey.

Listed below are some of the best locations for finding rocks, minerals, crystals, and fossils.

Rockhounding New Jersey

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Laws are updated. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material.

1. The Franklin Marble Company Quarry

The Franklin Marble Company Quarry is a great place to find a variety of rocks and minerals.

Some of the rocks and minerals that can be found here include marble, quartz, talc, calcite, and more.

This quarry is located in Franklin, New Jersey.

The best way to access the quarry is in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The roads leading up to the quarry are unpaved and can be difficult to navigate.

There is no fee to enter the quarry.

The quarry is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the weather is cooler.

To get to the quarry, take exit 11B off I-287 and follow Route 23 north for about 2 miles.

The quarry is on the right, just before the traffic light on Canfield Avenue.

2. The Ramapo Mountains

Rocks, minerals, and crystals that can be found in the Ramapo Mountains include quartz, mica, feldspar, and biotite.

The best time to visit is spring or fall.

The Ramapo Mountains are a great place to find rocks, minerals, and crystals.

There are many different types of rocks, minerals, and crystals that can be found in the Ramapo Mountains.

Some of the more common ones include quartz, feldspar, mica, and garnet.

There are a few things to keep in mind when rockhounding in the Ramapo Mountains.

First, be sure to obtain permission from the landowners before searching for rocks around or near their property.

Second, many of the roads in the Ramapo Mountains are dirt roads and may require a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Finally, the best time to visit the Ramapo Mountains for rockhounding is during the summer months when the weather is warmer.

To get to the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey, take I-80 East to Exit 43B. Then take Route 209 South for about 12 miles. The Ramapo Mountains will be on your left.

3. Belvidere Mountain Quarries

The Belvidere Mountain Quarries are a great place to find a variety of rocks and minerals.

Some of the rocks and minerals that can be found here include granite, marble, quartz, and more.

These quarries are located in Belvidere, New Jersey.

Belvidere Mountain Quarries are the remains of an active quarry operation that took place during the late 1800s.

The quarries are now abandoned, but the rockhounding potential is still high.

Visitors can find a variety of rocks, minerals, and crystals at the Belvidere Mountain Quarries, including quartz, feldspar, mica, and amphibole.

There is no fee to access the Belvidere Mountain Quarries, but a 4-wheel drive is recommended.

The best time to visit the Belvidere Mountain Quarries is during the spring or fall.

To get to the Belvidere Mountain Quarries, take I-91 north to exit 20.

Head east on Rte. 5 for about 3 miles, then turn left onto Belvidere Mountain Road.

The quarry is about 1 mile up the road on the right.

4. Ringwood State Park

Ringwood State Park is a great place to find a variety of rocks and minerals.

Some of the rocks and minerals that can be found here include iron, copper, lead, and more.

This state park is located in Ringwood, New Jersey.

The best way to access the park is in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.

The roads leading up to the park are unpaved and can be difficult to navigate.

There is no fee to enter the park.

The park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the weather is cooler.

To get to Ringwood State Park, take I-287 to exit 57.

Follow the signs for Ringwood State Park. The park is about 1 mile from the exit.

5. Hopewell Boro Quarry

The Hopewell Boro Quarry is a great place to find a variety of rocks and minerals.

Some of the rocks and minerals that can be found here include limestone, shale, sandstone, and more.

This quarry is located in Hopewell, New Jersey.

The Hopewell Boro Quarry is a great place to find rocks and minerals from the Precambrian Era, making them some of the oldest in the world.

Some of the minerals you can find here include amethyst, quartz, calcite, and more.

This is a great place to come and learn about the rocks and minerals from this era.

You can also find a variety of different types of rocks in this quarry.

This is a great place to rockhound and get some great specimens for your collection.

To get to the Hopewell Boro Quarry, take I-95 south to exit 4.

Head east on Rte. 546 for about 3 miles, then turn right onto Quarry Road.

The quarry is about 1 mile from the exit.

6. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation

The Mahlon Dickerson Reservation is a great place to find a variety of rocks and minerals.

Some of the rocks and minerals that can be found here include iron, copper, lead, and more.

This reservation is located in Jefferson Township, New Jersey.

The Mahlon Dickerson Reservation is a great place to not only come for rockhounding but also to enjoy a hike.

There are a variety of trails to choose from, so you can find one that is the right level of difficulty for you.

You can also find a variety of different rocks and minerals on this reservation.

This is a great place to rockhound and get some great specimens for your collection.

To get to the Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, take I-80 west to exit 34.

Head north on Rte. 15 for about 3 miles, then turn left onto Weldon Road.

The reservation is about 1 mile from the exit.

7. Weldon Quarry

The Weldon Quarry is a great place to find a variety of rocks and minerals.

Some of the rocks and minerals that can be found here include limestone, shale, sandstone, and more.

This quarry is located in Weldon, New Jersey.

The Weldon Quarry is a great place to find rocks and minerals from the Triassic Period.

This is a great place to come and learn about the rocks and minerals from this era.

You can also find a variety of different types of rocks in this quarry.

This is a great place to rockhound and get some great specimens for your collection.

To get to the Weldon Quarry, take I-95 south to exit 6.

Head west on Rte. 539 for about 3 miles, then turn left onto Quarry Road.

The quarry is about 1 mile from the exit.

So there you have it, some of the best places for rockhounding in New Jersey.

Be ready to travel through time and enjoy some of the oldest rocks in the world!