Collins Hill: Apatite & Aquamarine Rockhounding in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut

Updated June 2026

Collins Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut. Reported finds include apatite, aquamarine, beryl, citrine, bismuthinite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
State: Connecticut
Nearest road: Rose Hill Road
Postcode: 06480
Coordinates: 41.58827, -72.59160

Geology at Collins Hill

This spot sits on Collins Hill Formation, mapped as schist that formed roughly 470 to 445 million years ago. Metamorphic belts like this often host pegmatite dikes, the coarse-crystal bodies that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, and sheet mica.

Mapped unit: Collins Hill Formation
Age: 470–445 Ma (Middle Ordovician to Late Ordovician)
Rock types: schist
Elevation: 370 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.

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.

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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Collins Hill

Each chip 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 Collins Hill.

Across the state line from Collins Hill

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

Collins Hill FAQ

Where is Collins Hill?+

Collins Hill is in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut, at 41.58827, -72.59160. Nearest road: Rose Hill Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Collins Hill?+

Collins Hill is reported to produce Apatite, Aquamarine, Beryl, Citrine, Bismuthinite, Columbite, Feldspar, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Clear Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Collins Hill?+

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 Collins Hill?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

How do I get to Collins Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.58827, -72.59160 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Rose Hill Road.

More rockhounding in Connecticut

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Open Collins Hill on the map

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