Gettysburg: Copper & Chabazite Rockhounding in Adams County, Pennsylvania

Updated June 2026

Gettysburg is a mapped rockhounding spot in Adams County, Pennsylvania. Reported finds include copper, chabazite, epidote, malachite, quartz, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Adams County
State: Pennsylvania
Nearest road: Baltimore Pike
Postcode: 17325
Coordinates: 39.80370, -77.21283

Geology at Gettysburg

This spot sits on Diabase, mapped as basalt that formed roughly 200 to 145 million years ago. Cavities and seams in volcanic rock like this are the kind of setting where quartz and amethyst crystals tend to grow.

Mapped unit: Diabase
Age: 200–145 Ma (Jurassic)
Rock types: basalt
Elevation: 480 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 Gettysburg

Best months: March to December. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EISENHOWER NHS station (1 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 Gettysburg

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 Gettysburg.

Across the state line from Gettysburg

Gettysburg is close enough to the Pennsylvania border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Gettysburg FAQ

Where is Gettysburg?+

Gettysburg is in Adams County, Pennsylvania, at 39.80370, -77.21283. Nearest road: Baltimore Pike.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Gettysburg?+

Gettysburg is reported to produce Copper, Chabazite, Epidote, Malachite, Quartz, Feldspar, Magnetite, Olivine.

Is collecting allowed at Gettysburg?+

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 Gettysburg?+

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 Gettysburg?+

The most comfortable months at Gettysburg are March to December.

How do I get to Gettysburg?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.80370, -77.21283 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Baltimore Pike.

More rockhounding in Pennsylvania

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Open Gettysburg on the map

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