Hunting Hill: Calcite & Diopside Rockhounding in Montgomery County, Maryland

Updated June 2026

Hunting Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Montgomery County, Maryland. Reported finds include calcite, diopside, garnet, opal, serpentine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Montgomery County
State: Maryland
Nearest road: Piney Meetinghouse Road
Postcode: 20854
Coordinates: 39.08273, -77.22043

Geology at Hunting Hill

This spot sits on ultramafic block, mapped as serpentinite that formed roughly 1000 to 510 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: ultramafic block
Age: 1000–510 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian)
Rock types: serpentinite
Elevation: 450 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 Hunting Hill

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 27°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROCKVILLE 1 NE station (4 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 Hunting 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 Hunting Hill.

Across the state line from Hunting Hill

Hunting 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.

Hunting Hill FAQ

Where is Hunting Hill?+

Hunting Hill is in Montgomery County, Maryland, at 39.08273, -77.22043. Nearest road: Piney Meetinghouse Road.

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

Hunting Hill is reported to produce Calcite, Diopside, Garnet, Opal, Serpentine.

Is collecting allowed at Hunting 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 Hunting Hill?+

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 Hunting Hill?+

The most comfortable months at Hunting Hill are February to December.

How do I get to Hunting Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.08273, -77.22043 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Piney Meetinghouse Road.

More rockhounding in Maryland

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Open Hunting Hill on the map

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