Lake Harris: Albite & Amphibole Rockhounding in Essex County, New York

Updated June 2026

Lake Harris is a mapped rockhounding spot in Essex County, New York. Reported finds include albite, amphibole, apatite, diopside, graphite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Essex County
State: New York
Nearest road: Donks Lane
Postcode: 12852
Coordinates: 43.97364, -74.14667

Geology at Lake Harris

This spot sits on Calcitic and dolomitic marble, mapped as marble 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: Calcitic and dolomitic marble
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: marble
Elevation: 1,560 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 Lake Harris

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, NEWCOMB station (4 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 Lake Harris

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 Lake Harris.

Across the state line from Lake Harris

Lake Harris 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.

Lake Harris FAQ

Where is Lake Harris?+

Lake Harris is in Essex County, New York, at 43.97364, -74.14667. Nearest road: Donks Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lake Harris?+

Lake Harris is reported to produce Albite, Amphibole, Apatite, Diopside, Graphite, Muscovite, Phlogopite, Pyrite, Pyroxene, Smoky Quartz, Scapolite, Tourmaline, Tremolite.

Is collecting allowed at Lake Harris?+

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 Lake Harris?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Lake Harris?+

The most comfortable months at Lake Harris are April to October.

How do I get to Lake Harris?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.97364, -74.14667 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Donks Lane.

More rockhounding in New York

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Open Lake Harris on the map

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