Francestown: Jasper Rockhounding in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Hillsborough County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: New Boston Road
Postcode: 03043
Coordinates: 42.98907, -71.80629

Geology at Francestown

This spot sits on Perry Mountain Formation, undivided, mapped as quartzite and metasedimentary that formed roughly 445 to 420 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Perry Mountain Formation, undivided
Age: 445–420 Ma (Llandovery to Silurian)
Rock types: quartzite and metasedimentary
Elevation: 760 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 Francestown

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WEARE station (7 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 Francestown

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

Jasper Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Francestown.

Across the state line from Francestown

Francestown 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.

Francestown FAQ

Where is Francestown?+

Francestown is in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, at 42.98907, -71.80629. Nearest road: New Boston Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Francestown?+

Francestown is reported to produce Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Francestown?+

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 Francestown?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Francestown?+

The most comfortable months at Francestown are April to November.

How do I get to Francestown?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.98907, -71.80629 in Google Maps. The nearest road is New Boston Road.

More rockhounding in New Hampshire

See all 38 New Hampshire spots →

Open Francestown on the map

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