North Vandergrift: Galena & Calcite Rockhounding in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania

Updated June 2026

North Vandergrift is a mapped rockhounding spot in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Reported finds include galena, calcite, barite, geode, sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Armstrong County
State: Pennsylvania
Nearest road: Gravel Bar Road
Postcode: 15673
Coordinates: 40.60723, -79.54502

Geology at North Vandergrift

This spot sits on Allegheny Formation, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Concretions and geodes typically weather out of sedimentary beds like these, standing out as rounded, heavier-or-lighter-than-expected lumps.

Mapped unit: Allegheny Formation
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 930 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 North Vandergrift

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SALINA 3 W station (7 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 North Vandergrift

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 North Vandergrift.

Across the state line from North Vandergrift

North Vandergrift 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.

North Vandergrift FAQ

Where is North Vandergrift?+

North Vandergrift is in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, at 40.60723, -79.54502. Nearest road: Gravel Bar Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at North Vandergrift?+

North Vandergrift is reported to produce Galena, Calcite, Barite, Geode, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at North Vandergrift?+

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 North Vandergrift?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

When is the best time to visit North Vandergrift?+

The most comfortable months at North Vandergrift are March to November.

How do I get to North Vandergrift?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.60723, -79.54502 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gravel Bar Road.

More rockhounding in Pennsylvania

See all 88 Pennsylvania spots →

Open North Vandergrift on the map

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