McAdoo: Quartz Rockhounding in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Schuylkill County

State

Pennsylvania

Nearest road

Silver Brook Road

Postcode

18237

Coordinates

40.88989, -75.97677

Geology at McAdoo

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

1,470 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 McAdoo

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MAHANOY CITY 2 N 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 McAdoo

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

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