Best spot

Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest): Topaz & Phenakite Rockhounding in Oxford County, Maine

Updated June 2026

Lord Hill is a granite pegmatite in the White Mountain National Forest where more than 50 minerals have been recorded, most famously large white topaz and smoky quartz crystals encrusted with rare phenakite. The US Forest Service runs it as a designated collecting area open under a no-fee day permit. Feldspar and garnet round out the finds. Reported finds include topaz, phenakite, smoky quartz, feldspar, garnet. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest) photos

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

1 photo

White topaz with smoky quartz, like the topaz and phenakite found at Lord Hill

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Oxford County
State: Maine
Nearest road: Lord Hill
Postcode: 04231
Coordinates: 44.22406, -70.95360

Geology at Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest)

This spot sits on alkali feldspar granite (muscovite accessory mineral), mapped as granite that formed roughly 360 to 300 million years ago. Granitic ground like this typically carries quartz veins and pockets, and weathered crystals tend to collect in the soils and drainages below.

Mapped unit: alkali feldspar granite (muscovite accessory mineral)
Age: 360–300 Ma (Carboniferous)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 1,240 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 Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest)

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BETHEL 6 SSE station (12 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Lord 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 Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest).

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

Lord 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.

Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest) FAQ

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

Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest) is in Oxford County, Maine, at 44.22406, -70.95360. Nearest road: Lord Hill.

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

Lord Hill (White Mountain National Forest) is reported to produce Topaz, Phenakite, Smoky Quartz, Feldspar, Garnet.

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

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

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

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.22406, -70.95360 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lord Hill.

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