Ruggles Mine: Amethyst & Apatite Rockhounding in Grafton County, New Hampshire

Updated June 2026

Ruggles Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grafton County, New Hampshire. Reported finds include amethyst, apatite, beryl, calcite, feldspar, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grafton County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: Ruggles Mine Road
Postcode: 03240
Coordinates: 43.58948, -71.99235

Geology at Ruggles Mine

This spot sits on Littleton Formation, Calc-silicate rock, mapped as calc silicate rock that formed roughly 420 to 395 million years ago. Quartz crystals typically weather out of veins and pockets and end up in nearby soils and creek beds.

Mapped unit: Littleton Formation, Calc-silicate rock
Age: 420–395 Ma (Early Devonian)
Rock types: calc silicate rock
Elevation: 1,620 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 Ruggles Mine

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GRAFTON 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 Ruggles Mine

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 Ruggles Mine.

Across the state line from Ruggles Mine

Ruggles Mine 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.

Ruggles Mine FAQ

Where is Ruggles Mine?+

Ruggles Mine is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, at 43.58948, -71.99235. Nearest road: Ruggles Mine Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ruggles Mine?+

Ruggles Mine is reported to produce Amethyst, Apatite, Beryl, Calcite, Feldspar, Garnet, Lepidolite, Marcasite, Pyrite, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Sillimanite, Staurolite, Topaz, Tourmaline.

Is collecting allowed at Ruggles Mine?+

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 Ruggles Mine?+

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 Ruggles Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Ruggles Mine are April to October.

How do I get to Ruggles Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.58948, -71.99235 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ruggles Mine Road.

More rockhounding in New Hampshire

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Open Ruggles Mine on the map

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