Mt. Hope Bay: Red Agate & Amethyst Rockhounding in Bristol County, Rhode Island

Public accessBest spot6 mineralsBristol County, Rhode IslandUpdated July 2026

Minerals reported: 6
Elevation: 30 ft
Best months: March to November

The beach gravels rimming Mt. Hope Bay hold Rhode Island's fullest spread of chalcedony, including red and green agate, carnelian, jasper, and thin plates of hematite eroded from the Narragansett Basin. Wave action on the Bristol and Tiverton shores keeps concentrating fresh material, so surface picking through the cobble lines after storms and high tides is productive without any digging. It is the single most varied pebble-hunting shoreline in the state. Reported finds include red agate, amethyst, carnelian, jasper, hematite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Bristol County
State: Rhode Island
Postcode: 02809
Coordinates: 41.66737, -71.23764

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Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: Public tidal shoreline. Rhode Island's Constitution (Article 1, Section 17) and the 2023 shoreline access law protect passage and use of the natural resources of the shore up to ten feet landward of the recognizable high tide line. Collect loose pebbles from public beaches and the wet cobble zone, do not dig banks or cross private waterfront lawns above the vegetation line.

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.

Best time to visit Mt. Hope Bay

39°J

42°F

49°M

60°A

70°M

80°J

85°J

84°A

77°S

65°O

53°N

44°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TIVERTON station (3 mi away).

Geology at Mt. Hope Bay

This spot sits on Granites of southeastern Rhode Island - granite, mapped as granite that formed roughly 1000 to 540 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Granites of southeastern Rhode Island - granite
Age: 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 30 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.

Today's weather

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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.

Rhode Island Geological Survey
Rhode Island DEM park rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Mt. Hope Bay

Each name 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 Mt. Hope Bay.

Across the state line from Mt. Hope Bay

Mt. Hope Bay is close enough to the Rhode Island border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

MiddlesboroughPlymouth County, Massachusetts · 22 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony
Gay HeadDukes County, Massachusetts · 30 mi awayAlum, Amber
SandwichBarnstable County, Massachusetts · 39 mi awayJasper
MarshfieldPlymouth County, Massachusetts · 43 mi awayJasper
NorwichSoutheastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 44 mi awayCorundum, Sillimanite
New LondonSoutheastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut · 45 mi awayApatite, Spodumene

Mt. Hope Bay FAQ

Where is Mt. Hope Bay?+

Mt. Hope Bay is in Bristol County, Rhode Island, at 41.66737, -71.23764.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mt. Hope Bay?+

Mt. Hope Bay is reported to produce Red Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Jasper, Hematite, Green Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Mt. Hope Bay?+

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 Mt. Hope Bay?+

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 Mt. Hope Bay?+

The most comfortable months at Mt. Hope Bay are March to November.

How do I get to Mt. Hope Bay?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.66737, -71.23764 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Rhode Island

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