Ringwood: Calcite & Chalcopyrite Rockhounding in Passaic County, New Jersey

Updated June 2026

Ringwood is a mapped rockhounding spot in Passaic County, New Jersey. Reported finds include calcite, chalcopyrite, corundum, epidote, garnet, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Passaic County
State: New Jersey
Nearest road: Peters Mine Road
Coordinates: 41.14642, -74.26930

Geology at Ringwood

This spot sits on Quartz-Oligoclase Gneiss, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Quartz-Oligoclase Gneiss
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: gneiss
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 Ringwood

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WANAQUE RAYMOND DAM station (7 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Ringwood

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 Ringwood.

Across the state line from Ringwood

Ringwood is close enough to the New Jersey border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Ringwood FAQ

Where is Ringwood?+

Ringwood is in Passaic County, New Jersey, at 41.14642, -74.26930. Nearest road: Peters Mine Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ringwood?+

Ringwood is reported to produce Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Corundum, Epidote, Garnet, Hornblende, Pyrite, Serpentine, Zircon.

Is collecting allowed at Ringwood?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Ringwood?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses are enough for oxidized copper ground. Look for green and blue staining on weathered rock and in old dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Ringwood?+

The most comfortable months at Ringwood are March to November.

How do I get to Ringwood?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.14642, -74.26930 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Peters Mine Road.

More rockhounding in New Jersey

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Open Ringwood on the map

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