Chrome Hill: Smoky Quartz & Actinolite Rockhounding in Harford County, Maryland

Updated June 2026

Chrome Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Harford County, Maryland. Reported finds include smoky quartz, actinolite, bronzite, garnet, chromite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Harford County
State: Maryland
Nearest road: Rocks Road
Postcode: 21132
Coordinates: 39.62785, -76.40935

Geology at Chrome Hill

This spot sits on Wissahickon Formation; Boulder Gneiss, mapped as muscovite gneiss that formed roughly 2500 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: Wissahickon Formation; Boulder Gneiss
Age: 2500–540 Ma (Proterozoic)
Rock types: muscovite 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 Chrome Hill

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 Chrome Hill.

Across the state line from Chrome Hill

Chrome Hill 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.

Chrome Hill FAQ

Where is Chrome Hill?+

Chrome Hill is in Harford County, Maryland, at 39.62785, -76.40935. Nearest road: Rocks Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Chrome Hill?+

Chrome Hill is reported to produce Smoky Quartz, Actinolite, Bronzite, Garnet, Chromite, Serpentine.

Is collecting allowed at Chrome Hill?+

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 Chrome Hill?+

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 Chrome Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.62785, -76.40935 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Rocks Road.

More rockhounding in Maryland

See all 42 Maryland spots →

Open Chrome Hill on the map

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