Bare Hills mining district: Actinolite & Malachite Rockhounding in Baltimore County, Maryland

Updated June 2026

Bare Hills mining district is a mapped rockhounding spot in Baltimore County, Maryland. Reported finds include actinolite, malachite, epidote, feldspar, garnet, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Baltimore County
State: Maryland
Nearest road: Yellow Trail
Postcode: 21022
Coordinates: 39.38710, -76.65226

Geology at Bare Hills mining district

This spot sits on Ultramafic Rocks, mapped as serpentinite that formed roughly 2500 to 250 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Ultramafic Rocks
Age: 2500–250 Ma (Proterozoic to Paleozoic)
Rock types: serpentinite
Elevation: 290 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 Bare Hills mining district

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 26°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CYLBURN station (2 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 Bare Hills mining district

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 Bare Hills mining district.

Across the state line from Bare Hills mining district

Bare Hills mining district 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.

Bare Hills mining district FAQ

Where is Bare Hills mining district?+

Bare Hills mining district is in Baltimore County, Maryland, at 39.38710, -76.65226. Nearest road: Yellow Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bare Hills mining district?+

Bare Hills mining district is reported to produce Actinolite, Malachite, Epidote, Feldspar, Garnet, Moss Agate, Pyrite, Quartz, Serpentine, Tremolite, Zoisite.

Is collecting allowed at Bare Hills mining district?+

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 Bare Hills mining district?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Bare Hills mining district?+

The most comfortable months at Bare Hills mining district are February to December.

How do I get to Bare Hills mining district?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.38710, -76.65226 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Yellow Trail.

More rockhounding in Maryland

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Open Bare Hills mining district on the map

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