Lemont: Quartz Rockhounding in Centre County, Pennsylvania

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Centre County

State

Pennsylvania

Nearest road

Rock Road

Postcode

16851

Coordinates

40.85050, -77.82260

Geology at Lemont

This spot sits on Mines Member of Gatesburg Formation, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 540 to 485 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit

Mines Member of Gatesburg Formation

Age

540–485 Ma (Cambrian)

Rock types

dolostone

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 Lemont

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, STATE COLLEGE station (5 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 Lemont

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

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