Simsbury Mine: Chalcocite & Cuprite Rockhounding in Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County

Capitol Planning Region

State

Connecticut

Nearest road

Newgate Road

Postcode

06026

Coordinates

41.96212, -72.74500

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 Simsbury Mine

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HARTFORD-BRADLEY INTL AP station (4 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Simsbury Mine

This spot sits on Shuttle Meadow Formation, mapped as shale that formed roughly 200 to 175 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

Shuttle Meadow Formation

Age

200–175 Ma (Early Jurassic)

Rock types

shale

Elevation

460 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.

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.

• Connecticut Geological Survey
• CT DEEP state land rules
• Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules