Cardiff: Garnet & Pyrite Rockhounding in Harford County, Maryland
- Minerals reported
- 6
- Elevation
- 730 ft
- Best months
- March to November
Cardiff is a mapped rockhounding spot in Harford County, Maryland. Reported finds include garnet, pyrite, serpentine, staurolite, verde antique, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Harford County
- State
- Maryland
- Nearest road
- Quarry Road
- Postcode
- 21160
- Coordinates
- 39.70956, -76.33423
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
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.
Best time to visit Cardiff
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CONOWINGO DAM station (9 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Cardiff
This spot sits on Peach Bottom Slate, mapped as slate that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this commonly hosts vein and replacement mineralization, and old workings typically mark the productive zones.
- Mapped unit
- Peach Bottom Slate
- Age
- 485–445 Ma (Ordovician)
- Rock types
- slate
- Elevation
- 730 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.
Today's weather
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Cardiff.
Get the appSources & 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.
- Maryland Geological Survey
- Maryland DNR state park rules
- Calvert Marine Museum fossil guidance
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Cardiff
Each name 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 Cardiff.
- Flintville (moss agate area)Harford County, Maryland · 4 mi awayMoss Agate, Jasper
- FlintvilleHarford County, Maryland · 5 mi awayFeldspar, Garnet, Mica
- CastletonHarford County, Maryland · 6 mi awayQuartz, Tourmaline
- Chrome HillHarford County, Maryland · 7 mi awaySmoky Quartz, Actinolite, Bronzite
- Rock SpringsCecil County, Maryland · 8 mi awayKammererite, Serpentine, Soapstone
- Funks Pond Recreational AreaCecil County, Maryland · 9 mi awayKammererite, Serpentine, Soapstone
- Reed Mine & Walkens MineHarford County, Maryland · 9 mi awayChromite, Brucite, Quartz
- BaltimoreBaltimore County, Maryland · 20 mi awaySilicified Cycad Wood
Across the state line from Cardiff
Cardiff 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.
- Cecil CountyLancaster County, Pennsylvania · 10 mi awayKammererite, Serpentine, Soapstone
- Rock Springs RunLancaster County, Pennsylvania · 10 mi awayMoss Agate
- WrightsdaleChester County, Pennsylvania · 11 mi awayBrucite, Chromite, Magnesite
- Nottingham ParkChester County, Pennsylvania · 15 mi awaySerpentine, Garnet, Feldspar
- Grubb Lake and Mud LakeLancaster County, Pennsylvania · 25 mi awayGeode, Limonite
- CoatsvilleChester County, Pennsylvania · 31 mi awayAmethyst, Beryl, Epidote
Cardiff FAQ
Where is Cardiff?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Cardiff?+
Is collecting allowed at Cardiff?+
What tools should I bring to Cardiff?+
When is the best time to visit Cardiff?+
How do I get to Cardiff?+
More rockhounding in Maryland
See all 43 Maryland spots →
Open Cardiff on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
