North Fork of Eel River: Nephrite Jade & Crocidolite Rockhounding in Mendocino County, California
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 1,030 ft
- Best months
- September to June
North Fork of Eel River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Mendocino County, California. Reported finds include nephrite jade, crocidolite, jadeite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Mendocino County
- State
- California
- Nearest road
- Mina Road
- Coordinates
- 39.93546, -123.35889
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 North Fork of Eel River
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 94°F in midsummer and 54°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 34°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, COVELO station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at North Fork of Eel River
This spot sits on Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges), mapped as sandstone and mudstone that formed roughly 200 to 66 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
- Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges)
- Age
- 200–66 Ma (Jurassic to Cretaceous)
- Rock types
- sandstone and mudstone
- Elevation
- 1,030 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
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Get the appSources & 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:
- BLM California, Recreational mineral collecting
- California Geological Survey
- CDFW, Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at North Fork of Eel River
Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of North Fork of Eel River.
- Leech Lake AreaMendocino County, California · 14 mi awayPectolite, Nephrite, Calcite
- Eel River GravelsMendocino County, California · 15 mi awayJadeite, Nephrite
- Woods MineHumboldt County, California · 26 mi awayBementite, Neotocite, Rhodochrosite
- Impassable RockMendocino County, California · 30 mi awayRhodochrosite, Inesite, Bementite
- Trinity River GravelsTrinity County, California · 57 mi awayDiamond, Platinum Nugget
- Trinity RiverTrinity County, California · 59 mi awayChalcedony, Gold, Jasper
- Indian Creek gravelsTrinity County, California · 65 mi awayRhodonite
- Trinity River / Willow CreekTrinity County, California · 66 mi awayJade
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