Winchester: Rhodonite Rockhounding in Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Cheshire County
State: New Hampshire
Coordinates: 42.78731, -72.33065

Geology at Winchester

This spot sits on Granite, granodiorite, and tonalite, mapped as granite, granodiorite, and tonalite that formed roughly 460 to 445 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Granite, granodiorite, and tonalite
Age: 460–445 Ma (Late Ordovician)
Rock types: granite, granodiorite, and tonalite
Elevation: 1,360 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 Winchester

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 27°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 7°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, KEENE station (10 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 Winchester

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

Rhodonite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Winchester.

Across the state line from Winchester

Winchester 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.

Winchester FAQ

Where is Winchester?+

Winchester is in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, at 42.78731, -72.33065.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Winchester?+

Winchester is reported to produce Rhodonite.

Is collecting allowed at Winchester?+

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 Winchester?+

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 Winchester?+

The most comfortable months at Winchester are April to October.

How do I get to Winchester?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.78731, -72.33065 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New Hampshire

See all 38 New Hampshire spots →

Open Winchester on the map

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