Best spot

Ilion Gorge: Travertine Rockhounding in Herkimer County, New York

Updated August 2026

Ilion Gorge is New York's best known travertine locality, where spring deposits form banded orange and brown flowstone, botryoidal crusts, and small stalactites in the gorge walls. Winter erosion exposes fresh material each year, and collectors work the fallen blocks along the closed section of Jerusalem Hill Road. Reported finds include travertine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Ilion Gorge photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Steele Creek running through Ilion Gorge south of Ilion, Herkimer County, New York

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Herkimer County
State: New York
Nearest road: Jerusalem Hill Road
Coordinates: 42.96495, -75.11700

Geology at Ilion Gorge

This spot sits on Vernon Shale, mapped as shale that formed roughly 425 to 420 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Vernon Shale
Age: 425–420 Ma (Ludlow to Pridoli)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 1,250 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 Ilion Gorge

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 28°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 9°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LITTLE FALLS CITY RSCH station (14 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 Ilion Gorge

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

Travertine

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Ilion Gorge.

Ilion Gorge FAQ

Where is Ilion Gorge?+

Ilion Gorge is in Herkimer County, New York, at 42.96495, -75.11700. Nearest road: Jerusalem Hill Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ilion Gorge?+

Ilion Gorge is reported to produce Travertine.

Is collecting allowed at Ilion Gorge?+

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 Ilion Gorge?+

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 Ilion Gorge?+

The most comfortable months at Ilion Gorge are April to November.

How do I get to Ilion Gorge?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.96495, -75.11700 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Jerusalem Hill Road.

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