Granite: Quartz & Garnet Rockhounding in Baltimore County, Maryland

Updated June 2026

Granite is a mapped rockhounding spot in Baltimore County, Maryland. Reported finds include quartz, garnet, tourmaline, copper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Baltimore County
State: Maryland
Nearest road: Quarry Trail
Postcode: 21163
Coordinates: 39.34544, -76.86371

Geology at Granite

This spot sits on Baltimore Gneiss, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 4600 to 540 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: Baltimore Gneiss
Age: 4600–540 Ma (Precambrian)
Rock types: gneiss
Elevation: 470 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.

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 Granite

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 Granite.

Across the state line from Granite

Granite 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.

Granite FAQ

Where is Granite?+

Granite is in Baltimore County, Maryland, at 39.34544, -76.86371. Nearest road: Quarry Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Granite?+

Granite is reported to produce Quartz, Garnet, Tourmaline, Copper.

Is collecting allowed at Granite?+

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 Granite?+

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.

How do I get to Granite?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.34544, -76.86371 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Quarry Trail.

More rockhounding in Maryland

See all 42 Maryland spots →

Open Granite on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.