Barnardsville: Geode Digging in Somerset County, New Jersey

Updated June 2026

Barnardsville is a mapped rockhounding spot in Somerset County, New Jersey. Reported finds include agate, geode, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Somerset County
State: New Jersey
Nearest road: Old Quarry Road
Postcode: 07924
Coordinates: 40.70955, -74.57395

Geology at Barnardsville

This spot sits on Preakness Basalt, mapped as basalt that formed roughly 200 to 175 million years ago. Volcanic rock like this is classic geode and thunderegg country: gas cavities in the old flows can line themselves with quartz or agate over time.

Mapped unit: Preakness Basalt
Age: 200–175 Ma (Early Jurassic)
Rock types: basalt
Elevation: 420 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.

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 Barnardsville

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 Barnardsville.

Across the state line from Barnardsville

Barnardsville 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.

Barnardsville FAQ

Where is Barnardsville?+

Barnardsville is in Somerset County, New Jersey, at 40.70955, -74.57395. Nearest road: Old Quarry Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Barnardsville?+

Barnardsville is reported to produce Agate, Geode, Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Barnardsville?+

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 Barnardsville?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

How do I get to Barnardsville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.70955, -74.57395 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Old Quarry Road.

More rockhounding in New Jersey

See all 72 New Jersey spots →

Open Barnardsville on the map

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