Sherman Valley: Calcite & Chlorite Rockhounding in Bedford County, Pennsylvania

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County

Bedford County

State

Pennsylvania

Nearest road

Cypher Road

Postcode

16650

Coordinates

40.07642, -78.27322

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Best time to visit Sherman Valley

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EVERETT station (7 mi away).

Geology at Sherman Valley

This spot sits on Mauch Chunk Formation, mapped as shale, siltstone, and sandstone that formed roughly 360 to 325 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

Mauch Chunk Formation

Age

360–325 Ma (Mississippian)

Rock types

shale, siltstone, and sandstone

Elevation

1,100 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.

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.

• Pennsylvania Geological Survey
• DCNR state park and state forest rules
• Allegheny National Forest
• Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules