Beltsville: Hyalite Opal & Quartz Rockhounding in Prince George's County, Maryland

Updated June 2026

Beltsville is a mapped rockhounding spot in Prince George's County, Maryland. Reported finds include hyalite opal, quartz, silicified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Prince George's County
State: Maryland
Nearest road: Bay Hill Drive
Postcode: 20705
Coordinates: 39.06461, -76.92855

Geology at Beltsville

This spot sits on Lowland Deposits, mapped as fine alluvium and coarse alluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Lowland Deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Rock types: fine alluvium and coarse alluvium
Elevation: 220 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 Beltsville

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 27°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LAUREL 3 W station (2 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Beltsville

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 Beltsville.

Across the state line from Beltsville

Beltsville 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.

Beltsville FAQ

Where is Beltsville?+

Beltsville is in Prince George's County, Maryland, at 39.06461, -76.92855. Nearest road: Bay Hill Drive.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Beltsville?+

Beltsville is reported to produce Hyalite Opal, Quartz, Silicified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Beltsville?+

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 Beltsville?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Beltsville?+

The most comfortable months at Beltsville are February to December.

How do I get to Beltsville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.06461, -76.92855 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Bay Hill Drive.

More rockhounding in Maryland

See all 42 Maryland spots →

Open Beltsville on the map

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