Best spot

Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest): Amethyst & Beryl Rockhounding in Oxford County, Maine

Updated June 2026

Deer Hill is a US Forest Service designated mineral collecting area in the White Mountain National Forest, known for amethyst recovered by screening the sandy soil. Feldspar, beryl, garnet, columbite, and pyrite are also documented at the site. Hobby collecting is allowed under a no-fee day permit. Reported finds include amethyst, beryl, feldspar, garnet, muscovite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest) photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

A purple amethyst crystal cluster, like the amethyst screened from the soil at Deer Hill

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Oxford County
State: Maine
Nearest road: Evergreen Valley Road
Postcode: 04231
Coordinates: 44.23132, -70.98006

Geology at Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)

This spot sits on undifferentiated sedimentary rocks in areas of extreme migmatization, mapped as migmatite that formed roughly 445 to 360 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: undifferentiated sedimentary rocks in areas of extreme migmatization
Age: 445–360 Ma (Silurian to Devonian)
Rock types: migmatite
Elevation: 710 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.

Best time to visit Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 28°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BETHEL 6 SSE station (13 mi away).

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.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Maine Geological Survey
Maine Mineral & Gem Museum
Acadia National Park rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)

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 Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest).

Across the state line from Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)

Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest) is close enough to the Maine border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest) FAQ

Where is Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)?+

Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest) is in Oxford County, Maine, at 44.23132, -70.98006. Nearest road: Evergreen Valley Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)?+

Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest) is reported to produce Amethyst, Beryl, Feldspar, Garnet, Muscovite.

Is collecting allowed at Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)?+

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 Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)?+

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 Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)?+

The most comfortable months at Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest) are April to November.

How do I get to Deer Hill (White Mountain National Forest)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.23132, -70.98006 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Evergreen Valley Road.

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