Palmer Hill Mine: Fluorite Rockhounding in Clinton County, New York

Updated June 2026

Palmer Hill Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Clinton County, New York. Reported finds include fluorite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Clinton County
State: New York
Nearest road: Tower Road
Postcode: 12912
Coordinates: 44.46579, -73.67440

Geology at Palmer Hill Mine

This spot sits on Pyroxene and/or hornblende granitic gneiss, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this commonly hosts vein and replacement mineralization, and old workings typically mark the productive zones.

Mapped unit: Pyroxene and/or hornblende granitic gneiss
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: gneiss
Elevation: 1,150 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 Palmer Hill Mine

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PERU 2 WSW station (9 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 Palmer Hill Mine

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

Fluorite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Palmer Hill Mine.

Across the state line from Palmer Hill Mine

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

Palmer Hill Mine FAQ

Where is Palmer Hill Mine?+

Palmer Hill Mine is in Clinton County, New York, at 44.46579, -73.67440. Nearest road: Tower Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Palmer Hill Mine?+

Palmer Hill Mine is reported to produce Fluorite.

Is collecting allowed at Palmer Hill 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 Palmer Hill Mine?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Palmer Hill Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Palmer Hill Mine are April to October.

How do I get to Palmer Hill Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.46579, -73.67440 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Tower Road.

More rockhounding in New York

See all 74 New York spots →

Open Palmer Hill Mine on the map

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