Best spot

Sprakers: Herkimer Diamond & Quartz Rockhounding in Montgomery County, New York

Updated July 2026

The Sprakers roadcuts and quarry ground expose the same Little Falls Dolostone that hosts Herkimer diamonds, and the site is a long-known free alternative to the fee mines for finding doubly-terminated quartz. Weathered pockets here release loose crystals with minimal breaking. Reported finds include herkimer diamond, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Sprakers photos

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

1 photo

Herkimer diamond quartz crystal from near Herkimer, New York

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Montgomery County
State: New York
Nearest road: Erie Canalway Trail
Coordinates: 42.89422, -74.48379

Geology at Sprakers

This spot sits on Beekmantown Group, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 495 to 470 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Beekmantown Group
Age: 495–470 Ma (Furongian to Early Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone
Elevation: 700 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 Sprakers

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 15°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CHERRY VALLEY 2 NNE 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 Sprakers

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 Sprakers.

Across the state line from Sprakers

Sprakers 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.

Sprakers FAQ

Where is Sprakers?+

Sprakers is in Montgomery County, New York, at 42.89422, -74.48379. Nearest road: Erie Canalway Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Sprakers?+

Sprakers is reported to produce Herkimer Diamond, Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Sprakers?+

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 Sprakers?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Sprakers?+

The most comfortable months at Sprakers are April to November.

How do I get to Sprakers?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.89422, -74.48379 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Erie Canalway Trail.

More rockhounding in New York

See all 74 New York spots →

Open Sprakers on the map

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