Dig Maine Gems: Rockhounding in Oxford County, Maine

Quick details

Access

Paid / fee dig

County

Oxford County

State

Maine

Nearest road

Bethel Road

Postcode

04289

Coordinates

44.31978, -70.54468

Geology at Dig Maine Gems

This spot sits on Sangerville Formation, Anasagunticook member, mapped as metasandstone that formed roughly 445 to 435 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

Sangerville Formation, Anasagunticook member

Age

445–435 Ma (Llandovery)

Rock types

metasandstone

Elevation

500 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 Dig Maine Gems

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 9°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BETHEL 6 SSE station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

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