Rowley: Jasper Rockhounding in Essex County, Massachusetts

Updated June 2026

Rowley is a mapped rockhounding spot in Essex County, Massachusetts. Reported finds include jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Essex County
State: Massachusetts
Nearest road: Bob Merry Lane
Postcode: 01969
Coordinates: 42.71674, -70.92110

Geology at Rowley

This spot sits on Newbury Volcanic Complex, mapped as andesite and mudstone that formed roughly 425 to 410 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: Newbury Volcanic Complex
Age: 425–410 Ma (Pridoli to Early Devonian)
Rock types: andesite and mudstone
Elevation: 70 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 Rowley

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GROVELAND station (6 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 Rowley

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Jasper Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Rowley.

Across the state line from Rowley

Rowley is close enough to the Massachusetts border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Rowley FAQ

Where is Rowley?+

Rowley is in Essex County, Massachusetts, at 42.71674, -70.92110. Nearest road: Bob Merry Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rowley?+

Rowley is reported to produce Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Rowley?+

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 Rowley?+

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 Rowley?+

The most comfortable months at Rowley are March to November.

How do I get to Rowley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.71674, -70.92110 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Bob Merry Lane.

More rockhounding in Massachusetts

See all 45 Massachusetts spots →

Open Rowley on the map

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