Waterside: Calcite & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Bedford County, Pennsylvania

Updated June 2026

Waterside is a mapped rockhounding spot in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Reported finds include calcite, chalcedony, chert. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bedford County
State: Pennsylvania
Nearest road: Old Mill Road
Postcode: 16664
Coordinates: 40.17122, -78.39359

Geology at Waterside

This spot sits on Bellefonte and Axemann Formations, undivided, mapped as dolostone and limestone that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Chert and agate nodules typically form inside carbonate rock like this and weather out as tough, waxy lumps in soils and creek beds.

Mapped unit: Bellefonte and Axemann Formations, undivided
Age: 485–445 Ma (Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone and limestone
Elevation: 1,210 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 Waterside

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ALTOONA BLAIR CO AP station (10 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 Waterside

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 Waterside.

Across the state line from Waterside

Waterside 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.

Waterside FAQ

Where is Waterside?+

Waterside is in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, at 40.17122, -78.39359. Nearest road: Old Mill Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Waterside?+

Waterside is reported to produce Calcite, Chalcedony, Chert.

Is collecting allowed at Waterside?+

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 Waterside?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Waterside?+

The most comfortable months at Waterside are March to November.

How do I get to Waterside?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.17122, -78.39359 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Old Mill Road.

More rockhounding in Pennsylvania

See all 88 Pennsylvania spots →

Open Waterside on the map

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