Old Iron Mine: Chalcopyrite & Galena Rockhounding in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut
- Minerals reported
- 6
- Elevation
- 520 ft
- Best months
- March to November
Old Iron Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut. Reported finds include chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, quartz, siderite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- State
- Connecticut
- Nearest road
- Mine Hill Road
- Postcode
- 06783
- Coordinates
- 41.55751, -73.33869
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 Old Iron Mine
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DANBURY station (12 mi away).
Geology at Old Iron Mine
This spot sits on Ordovician? granitic gneiss, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 420 to 390 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.
- Mapped unit
- Ordovician? granitic gneiss
- Age
- 420–390 Ma (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian)
- Rock types
- gneiss
- Elevation
- 520 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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The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Old Iron Mine.
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.
- Connecticut Geological Survey
- CT DEEP state land rules
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Old Iron Mine
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 Old Iron Mine.
- BridgewaterNorthwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut · 0 mi awayCalamine, Galena, Cerussite
- Roebling MineWestern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 8 mi awayAquamarine, Beryl, Biotite
- Bantam LakeNorthwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut · 10 mi awayRose Quartz
- Bulls BridgeNorthwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut · 12 mi awayGarnet, Gold
- LitchfieldNorthwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut · 13 mi awayCorundum, Pyrite, Staurolite
- Lane’s MineGreater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut · 15 mi awayArsenopyrite, Bismuth, Pyrite
- DanburyWestern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 16 mi awayGraphite
- ReddingWestern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 18 mi awayGraphite
Across the state line from Old Iron Mine
Old Iron Mine 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.
- Tilly Foster Iron MinePutnam County, New York · 19 mi awayMagnetite, Brucite, Chondrodite
- Pine PondPutnam County, New York · 20 mi awayArsenopyrite, Asbestos, Leucopyrite
- NE Dutchess CountyDutchess County, New York · 31 mi awayGalena, Goethite, Limonite
- PeeksillWestchester County, New York · 33 mi awaySunstone
- Ancram area lead minesColumbia County, New York · 34 mi awayBarite, Galena, Sphalerite
- Cornwall (Wallkill River)Orange County, New York · 35 mi awayBloodstone, Jasper
Old Iron Mine FAQ
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More rockhounding in Connecticut
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Open Old Iron Mine on the map
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