Rockhounding Niagara Falls, NY: 10 Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils

Niagara Falls is a popular tourist destination for a reason: it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

But there is more to do in Niagara Falls than just admiring the view.

For rockhounds, Niagara Falls offers a wealth of opportunities to find rocks, crystals, and fossils.

This article will provide information on the top locations to rockhound in Niagara Falls, New York, and what you can expect to find at each location.

Rockhounding Niagara Falls, NY

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. Niagara Falls State Park

One of the best places to start rockhounding in Niagara Falls is Niagara Falls State Park.

The park offers a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils to find, including agates, calcites, and gypsum.

The park is open year-round and has trails to explore that flow into the Niagara Gorge or the remaining ruins of the Schoellkopf Power Plant.

The Devil’s Hole Rapids and Giant Rock trail is a popular place for rockhounding, though it is a moderate-level trail that takes over 2 hours to hike.

2. Whirlpool State Park

Just downriver from Niagara Falls is Whirlpool State Park.

This is another excellent spot for rockhounding, and you can find similar rocks and minerals as at Niagara Falls State Park.

There is no fee to enter this park, and the layout has two separate areas where visitors can search for rocks and minerals.

It’s important to note that the trail is advanced, and it’s recommended for those over 8 years old.

It takes roughly three hours to complete the trail, but there are various stops to view geologic landmarks like an Ordovician Silurian rock succession at the bottom of the gorge.

3. Artpark State Park

Artpark State Park is a great place to find fossils and Devonian-age rocks.

The park is open from late May to early September, and there are several hiking trails that lead down into the gorge where visitors can find fossils.

One of the best trails for rockhounding is the Lower Gorge Trail, which takes around two hours to hike.

This trail leads to a section of the Niagara River known as Devil’s Hole, where marine fossils like brachiopods are often found.

4. Four Mile Creek State Park

Located just fifteen minutes from Niagara Falls, Four Mile Creek State Park is a great place to find fossils, minerals, and rocks.

The 248-acre park has a number of hiking trails that lead to the Niagara River, where visitors can look for fossils.

One of the best areas for fossils is along the marsh at the mouth of Four Mile Creek.

This trail leads to an area where marine fossils can often be found.

5. Devil’s Hole State Park

Devil’s Hole State Park is a great spot for waterfall watching and hiking, and it also offers some good opportunities for rockhounding.

The park is home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils, including agates, jasper, petrified wood, and fossils.

Some of the best trails for rockhounding include the Devil’s Hole Rapids and Giant Rock trail, which takes around two hours to hike.

6. Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is a great place to find rocks, minerals, and fossils.

The area is home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils, including agates, calcites, and gypsum.

There are a number of hiking trails in the area that lead to the Niagara Gorge, where visitors can find these rocks and minerals.

One of the best trails for rockhounding is the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center Trail, which is open from mid-May to November.

7. DeVeaux Woods State Park

DeVeaux Woods State Park is a great place to find fossils, minerals, and rocks.

The park is open from late May to early September, and there are several trails that flow through a meadow and down into the gorge where visitors can find fossils or minerals.

One of the best trails for rockhounding is the DeVeaux Woods Nature Trail, which is suitable for all ages.

This trail leads through 10 acres of forest where clear Selenite crystals and Fluorite are often found.

8. Joseph Davis State Park

Joseph Davis State Park is a great spot for hiking and picnicking, and it also offers some good opportunities for rockhounding.

The park is home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils, including agates, Fluorite, and petrified wood.

Visitors should note that while the park is open year-round, it is a popular spot for hunting, fishing, and playing disc golf.

These nature trails are the best place to search for minerals and crystals.

The terrain throughout the park is flat and easy for rockhounds of all ages.

9. Watts Flats

Located just over an hour from Niagara Falls, Watts Flats is a great place to find fossils, minerals, and rocks.

The area has over 1,000 acres of shrub swamp, open water wetland, and 250 acres of brush and grassland.

The Watts Flats area is open to the public for recreational activities, and it also offers excellent opportunities for rockhounding.

Some of the rocks, minerals, and fossils that can be found in the area include agates and calcites.

The best time to visit Watts Flats is from mid-April to mid-May.

10. Durand Eastman Beach

Durand Eastman Beach is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, and it also offers some good opportunities for rockhounding.

Located just over an hour from Niagara Falls, the beach is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The beach is a great place to find agates, jasper, and petrified wood.

Visitors should note that while the beach is open to the public, there is a parking fee.

Durand Eastman Beach is one of the most accessible and leisurely places to go rockhounding in Niagara Falls, NY.

Wrap Up

If you are interested in rockhounding, there are plenty of opportunities throughout Niagara Falls.

Each location offers different types of rocks and minerals to find, and the park websites provide detailed information about what you can collect at each site.