Ore Hill: Amethyst & Quartz Rockhounding in Grafton County, New Hampshire

Updated June 2026

Ore Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grafton County, New Hampshire. Reported finds include amethyst, quartz, staurolite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grafton County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: Sunset Hill Road
Postcode: 03585
Coordinates: 44.20018, -71.79098

Geology at Ore Hill

This spot sits on Ammonoosuc Volcanics, Bimodal volcanic rocks, mapped as felsic volcanic and mafic volcanic that formed roughly 470 to 445 million years ago. Cavities and seams in volcanic rock like this are the kind of setting where quartz and amethyst crystals tend to grow.

Mapped unit: Ammonoosuc Volcanics, Bimodal volcanic rocks
Age: 470–445 Ma (Middle Ordovician to Late Ordovician)
Rock types: felsic volcanic and mafic volcanic
Elevation: 1,990 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 Ore Hill

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 1°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BETHLEHEM 2 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 Ore Hill

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 Ore Hill.

Across the state line from Ore Hill

Ore Hill 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.

Ore Hill FAQ

Where is Ore Hill?+

Ore Hill is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, at 44.20018, -71.79098. Nearest road: Sunset Hill Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ore Hill?+

Ore Hill is reported to produce Amethyst, Quartz, Staurolite.

Is collecting allowed at Ore Hill?+

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 Ore Hill?+

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 Ore Hill?+

The most comfortable months at Ore Hill are April to October.

How do I get to Ore Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.20018, -71.79098 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Sunset Hill Road.

More rockhounding in New Hampshire

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Open Ore Hill on the map

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