Lily Pond: Emerald & Goshenite Rockhounding in Hampshire County, Massachusetts

Updated June 2026

Lily Pond is a mapped rockhounding spot in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Reported finds include emerald, goshenite, smoky quartz, tourmaline. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Hampshire County
State: Massachusetts
Nearest road: Lily Pond Lane
Postcode: 01032
Coordinates: 42.44732, -72.83188

Geology at Lily Pond

This spot sits on Goshen Formation, mapped as schist that formed roughly 420 to 395 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: Goshen Formation
Age: 420–395 Ma (Early Devonian)
Rock types: schist
Elevation: 1,490 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 Lily Pond

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WORTHINGTON station (6 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 Lily Pond

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 Lily Pond.

Across the state line from Lily Pond

Lily Pond 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.

Lily Pond FAQ

Where is Lily Pond?+

Lily Pond is in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, at 42.44732, -72.83188. Nearest road: Lily Pond Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lily Pond?+

Lily Pond is reported to produce Emerald, Goshenite, Smoky Quartz, Tourmaline.

Is collecting allowed at Lily Pond?+

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 Lily Pond?+

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.

When is the best time to visit Lily Pond?+

The most comfortable months at Lily Pond are April to November.

How do I get to Lily Pond?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.44732, -72.83188 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lily Pond Lane.

More rockhounding in Massachusetts

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Open Lily Pond on the map

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