Summitville: Sphalerite Rockhounding in Sullivan County, New York

Updated June 2026

Summitville is a mapped rockhounding spot in Sullivan County, New York. Reported finds include sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Sullivan County
State: New York
Nearest road: Firehouse Road
Postcode: 12790
Coordinates: 41.62794, -74.44795

Geology at Summitville

This spot sits on Helderberg Group, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 420 to 395 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit: Helderberg Group
Age: 420–395 Ma (Early Devonian)
Rock types: limestone
Elevation: 710 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 Summitville

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROCK HILL 3 SW 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 Summitville

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

Sphalerite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Summitville.

Across the state line from Summitville

Summitville 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.

Summitville FAQ

Where is Summitville?+

Summitville is in Sullivan County, New York, at 41.62794, -74.44795. Nearest road: Firehouse Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Summitville?+

Summitville is reported to produce Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Summitville?+

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 Summitville?+

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 Summitville?+

The most comfortable months at Summitville are March to November.

How do I get to Summitville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.62794, -74.44795 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Firehouse Road.

More rockhounding in New York

See all 74 New York spots →

Open Summitville on the map

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