Rossville Road Cut: Copper & Malachite Rockhounding in York County, Pennsylvania

Updated June 2026

Rossville Road Cut is a mapped rockhounding spot in York County, Pennsylvania. Reported finds include copper, malachite, azurite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: York County
State: Pennsylvania
Nearest road: Old York Road
Postcode: 17365
Coordinates: 40.07167, -76.92359

Geology at Rossville Road Cut

This spot sits on Gettysburg Formation, mapped as siltstone mudstone and shale that formed roughly 250 to 200 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: Gettysburg Formation
Age: 250–200 Ma (Triassic)
Rock types: siltstone mudstone and shale
Elevation: 630 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 Rossville Road Cut

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HARRISBURG CAPITAL CITY AP station (11 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 Rossville Road Cut

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 Rossville Road Cut.

Across the state line from Rossville Road Cut

Rossville Road Cut 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.

Rossville Road Cut FAQ

Where is Rossville Road Cut?+

Rossville Road Cut is in York County, Pennsylvania, at 40.07167, -76.92359. Nearest road: Old York Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rossville Road Cut?+

Rossville Road Cut is reported to produce Copper, Malachite, Azurite.

Is collecting allowed at Rossville Road Cut?+

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 Rossville Road Cut?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses are enough for oxidized copper ground. Look for green and blue staining on weathered rock and in old dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Rossville Road Cut?+

The most comfortable months at Rossville Road Cut are March to November.

How do I get to Rossville Road Cut?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.07167, -76.92359 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Old York Road.

More rockhounding in Pennsylvania

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Open Rossville Road Cut on the map

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