Mount Ida: Quartz Rockhounding in Montgomery County, Arkansas

Public accessBest spot1 mineralMontgomery County, ArkansasUpdated June 2026

6 photos

Mineral reported: 1
Elevation: 930 ft
Best months: Year-round

Mount Ida sits in the heart of Arkansas's Ouachita quartz province, where hot fluids moved through fractured Paleozoic sandstone, shale, and chert to form crystal-bearing veins. That regional geology, documented by USGS and the Arkansas Geological Survey, is why the area remains the state's clearest benchmark locality for rock crystal collecting. Reported finds include quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Montgomery County
State: Arkansas
Nearest road: Maplewood Lane
Coordinates: 34.54163, -93.63338

Get directions View on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Best time to visit Mount Ida

49°J

54°F

62°M

70°A

76°M

84°J

89°J

89°A

82°S

72°O

61°N

52°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 89°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MT IDA 3 SE station (3 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Mount Ida

This spot sits on Crystal Mountain Sandstone, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 485 to 470 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Crystal Mountain Sandstone
Age: 485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 930 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Today's weather

Is today a good day to go?

The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Mount Ida.

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Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Ouachita National Forest, Mineral Collecting
Crater of Diamonds State Park, Rules and finds
Arkansas Geological Survey
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Mount Ida

Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Quartz Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Mount Ida.

Wegner Quartz Mines (Phantom Mine)Montgomery County, Arkansas · 1 mi awayQuartz, Smoky Quartz, Amethyst
Wegner Quartz MinesMontgomery County, Arkansas · 2 mi awayQuartz
Wegner Crystal MinesMontgomery County, Arkansas · 2 mi away
Avatar Crystal MineMontgomery County, Arkansas · 3 mi awayQuartz
Sweet Surrender Crystal MineMontgomery County, Arkansas · 3 mi awayQuartz, Calcite
Unnamed Quarry (Wavellite)Montgomery County, Arkansas · 4 mi awayWavellite
Twin Creek MineMontgomery County, Arkansas · 5 mi awayQuartz
Avant MiningMontgomery County, Arkansas · 5 mi awayQuartz

Across the state line from Mount Ida

Mount Ida is close enough to the Arkansas border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Ouachita National ForestLe Flore County, Oklahoma · 56 mi awayQuartz, Novaculite, Chalcedony

Mount Ida FAQ

Where is Mount Ida?+

Mount Ida is in Montgomery County, Arkansas, at 34.54163, -93.63338. Nearest road: Maplewood Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mount Ida?+

Mount Ida is reported to produce Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Mount Ida?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Mount Ida?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Mount Ida?+

Mount Ida is workable year-round.

How do I get to Mount Ida?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.54163, -93.63338 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Maplewood Lane.