Hinsdale: Pink Rhodonite Rockhounding in Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Updated June 2026

Hinsdale is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Reported finds include pink rhodonite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Cheshire County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: Ashuelot Rail Trail
Postcode: 03441
Coordinates: 42.78616, -72.46583

Geology at Hinsdale

This spot sits on Kinsman Quartz Monzonite of Billings (1955), mapped as orthogneiss that formed roughly 410 to 395 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Kinsman Quartz Monzonite of Billings (1955)
Age: 410–395 Ma (Early Devonian)
Rock types: orthogneiss
Elevation: 550 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 Hinsdale

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, KEENE station (13 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 Hinsdale

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

Pink Rhodonite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Hinsdale.

Across the state line from Hinsdale

Hinsdale 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.

Hinsdale FAQ

Where is Hinsdale?+

Hinsdale is in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, at 42.78616, -72.46583. Nearest road: Ashuelot Rail Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hinsdale?+

Hinsdale is reported to produce Pink Rhodonite.

Is collecting allowed at Hinsdale?+

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 Hinsdale?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Hinsdale?+

The most comfortable months at Hinsdale are April to November.

How do I get to Hinsdale?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.78616, -72.46583 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ashuelot Rail Trail.

More rockhounding in New Hampshire

See all 38 New Hampshire spots →

Open Hinsdale on the map

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