Best spot

Redstone: Amethyst & Apatite Rockhounding in Carroll County, New Hampshire

Updated July 2026

The Redstone quarries worked the Conway granite from the 1880s to the 1940s for its prized red and green building stone, and the waste piles still yield smoky quartz and the green potassium feldspar that tints the granite. An interpretive trail passes the abandoned derricks and cutting sheds. The land is now conservation property held by the State of New Hampshire and The Nature Conservancy. Reported finds include amethyst, apatite, quartz, smoky quartz, topaz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Redstone photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Historic quarry workers' boarding house at the Redstone granite quarry village, Conway, New Hampshire

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Carroll County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: Outer Limits
Postcode: 03860
Coordinates: 44.01949, -71.09679

Geology at Redstone

This spot sits on Conway Granite, mapped as granite that formed roughly 175 to 145 million years ago. Granitic ground like this typically carries quartz veins and pockets, and weathered crystals tend to collect in the soils and drainages below.

Mapped unit: Conway Granite
Age: 175–145 Ma (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 730 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 Redstone

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 9°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, N CONWAY station (3 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 Redstone

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 Redstone.

Across the state line from Redstone

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

Redstone FAQ

Where is Redstone?+

Redstone is in Carroll County, New Hampshire, at 44.01949, -71.09679. Nearest road: Outer Limits.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Redstone?+

Redstone is reported to produce Amethyst, Apatite, Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Topaz.

Is collecting allowed at Redstone?+

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 Redstone?+

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 Redstone?+

The most comfortable months at Redstone are April to November.

How do I get to Redstone?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.01949, -71.09679 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Outer Limits.

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