Stage Fort Park — Rockhounding in Essex County, Massachusetts
Updated July 2026
Gloucester sits on the same Cape Ann granite as neighboring Rockport, and its miarolitic pockets and pegmatites yield blue-green amazonite (microcline), smoky quartz, and well-formed feldspar. Stage Fort Park protects a stretch of granite ledge and cobble shore where loose specimens weather out of the rock. The 60-acre city park gives free, easy public access to the Cape Ann granite without entering the private working quarries. Reported finds include amazonite, smoky quartz, microcline. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Stage Fort Park photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Stage Fort Park in Essex County, Massachusetts
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Essex County
- State
- Massachusetts
- Nearest road
- Hough Avenue
- Postcode
- 01930
- Coordinates
- 42.60450, -70.67200
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 Stage Fort Park
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 Stage Fort Park.
- RockportTop pick in MassachusettsEssex County, Massachusetts · 6 mi awayAmazonite
- RowleyEssex County, Massachusetts · 15 mi awayJasper
- NewburyportEssex County, Massachusetts · 17 mi awayChalcopyrite, Galena, Pyrite
- NahantTop pick in MassachusettsEssex County, Massachusetts · 18 mi awayJasper, Epidote, Prehnite
- MaldenMiddlesex County, Massachusetts · 23 mi awayNovaculite
- CohassetTop pick in MassachusettsNorfolk County, Massachusetts · 25 mi awayJasper, Epidote
- MarshfieldTop pick in MassachusettsPlymouth County, Massachusetts · 34 mi awayJasper
- WestfieldMiddlesex County, Massachusetts · 41 mi awayChiastolite
Across the state line from Stage Fort Park
Stage Fort Park 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.
- RaymondRockingham County, New Hampshire · 39 mi awayFeldspar, Beryl, Garnet
- Sneech PondProvidence County, Rhode Island · 59 mi awayChalcopyrite, Garnet, Magnetite
- Cumberland HillProvidence County, Rhode Island · 60 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- North ProvidenceProvidence County, Rhode Island · 60 mi awayBowenite, Quartz, Serpentine
- Acton Lead MinesYork County, Maine · 62 mi awayAndalusite, Arsenopyrite, Bornite
- FrancestownHillsborough County, New Hampshire · 63 mi awayJasper
Stage Fort Park FAQ
Why is Stage Fort Park one of the best rockhounding spots in Massachusetts?+
Where is Stage Fort Park?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Stage Fort Park?+
Is collecting allowed at Stage Fort Park?+
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More rockhounding in Massachusetts
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