Magothy River: Pyrite Rockhounding in Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Updated June 2026

Magothy River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Reported finds include pyrite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Anne Arundel County
State: Maryland
Nearest road: Drum Avenue North
Postcode: 21122
Coordinates: 39.11529, -76.56701

Geology at Magothy River

This spot sits on Potomac Group, including Raritan and Patapsco Formations, Arundel Clay, and Patuxent Formation, mapped as sand that formed roughly 145 to 66 million years ago. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Potomac Group, including Raritan and Patapsco Formations, Arundel Clay, and Patuxent Formation
Age: 145–66 Ma (Cretaceous)
Rock types: sand
Elevation: 60 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 Magothy River

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 26°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INTL AP station (7 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.

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

Found at Magothy River

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Pyrite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Magothy River.

Across the state line from Magothy River

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

Magothy River FAQ

Where is Magothy River?+

Magothy River is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at 39.11529, -76.56701. Nearest road: Drum Avenue North.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Magothy River?+

Magothy River is reported to produce Pyrite.

Is collecting allowed at Magothy River?+

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 Magothy River?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Magothy River?+

The most comfortable months at Magothy River are February to December.

How do I get to Magothy River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.11529, -76.56701 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Drum Avenue North.

More rockhounding in Maryland

See all 42 Maryland spots →

Open Magothy River on the map

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