Carlisle — Rockhounding in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Updated July 2026
The Carlisle area of Cumberland County is known for banded agate, jasper, amethyst and quartz weathering out of the local carbonate and diabase terrain. The banded agate in particular draws collectors looking for lapidary-grade material. It is one of the better-known agate localities in south-central Pennsylvania. Reported finds include banded agate, quartz, jasper, amethyst. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Carlisle photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Cumberland County
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Nearest road
- Shatto Drive
- Postcode
- 17013
- Coordinates
- 40.22035, -77.21537
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 Carlisle
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 Carlisle.
- Mt. Holly SpringsCumberland County, Pennsylvania · 8 mi awayAgate Nodules
- White RocksCumberland County, Pennsylvania · 9 mi awayCryptomelane, Goethite, Fluorite
- Little Rocky RidgeCumberland County, Pennsylvania · 14 mi awayHematite, Quartz
- Yellow Breeches CreekCumberland County, Pennsylvania · 16 mi awayPotomac Marble
- Rossville Road CutYork County, Pennsylvania · 19 mi awayCopper, Malachite, Azurite
- HarrisburgYork County, Pennsylvania · 20 mi awayAgate, Amethyst, Chalcedony
- Piney MountainAdams County, Pennsylvania · 20 mi awayPiedmontite
- Area Around Caledonia State ParkTop pick in PennsylvaniaFranklin County, Pennsylvania · 26 mi awayAgate, Jasper
Across the state line from Carlisle
Carlisle 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.
- Catoctin MountainFrederick County, Maryland · 41 mi awayCopper
- MiddlesburgeCarroll County, Maryland · 42 mi awayChrysocolla
- Union BridgeCarroll County, Maryland · 46 mi awayPink Marble, Green Marble
- New WindsorCarroll County, Maryland · 48 mi awayAzurite, Bornite, Calamine
- Dollyhyde CreekFrederick County, Maryland · 52 mi awayBornite, Pink Calcite, Covellite
- AshtonWashington County, Maryland · 54 mi awaySerpentine, Steatite
Carlisle FAQ
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More rockhounding in Pennsylvania
See all 86 Pennsylvania spots →Open Carlisle on the map
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