Best spot

Bennington: Blue Quartz & Garnet Rockhounding in Bennington County, Vermont

Updated July 2026

A Precambrian road-cut on Route 9 east of Bennington yields cabochon-grade blue quartz along with garnet, feldspar, biotite, and hornblende, set in the Green Mountains along the Molly Stark Trail. The blue quartz is an unusual Vermont cutting material found in the ancient basement gneiss. It is a quick roadside stop climbing into the national forest. Reported finds include blue quartz, garnet, feldspar, biotite, hornblende. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Bennington photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Green Mountains east of Bennington along the Route 9 corridor, where a road-cut yields blue quartz, Bennington County, Vermont.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bennington County
State: Vermont
Nearest road: Vermont Route 9
Postcode: 05201
Coordinates: 42.87848, -73.11608

Geology at Bennington

This spot sits on Biotite-quartz-plagioclase gneiss, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 1600 to 1200 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.

Mapped unit: Biotite-quartz-plagioclase gneiss
Age: 1600–1200 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: gneiss
Elevation: 1,560 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 Bennington

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BENNINGTON MORSE STATE AP station (7 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 Bennington

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 Bennington.

Across the state line from Bennington

Bennington is close enough to the Vermont border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Bennington FAQ

Where is Bennington?+

Bennington is in Bennington County, Vermont, at 42.87848, -73.11608. Nearest road: Vermont Route 9.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bennington?+

Bennington is reported to produce Blue Quartz, Garnet, Feldspar, Biotite, Hornblende.

Is collecting allowed at Bennington?+

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 Bennington?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Bennington?+

The most comfortable months at Bennington are April to November.

How do I get to Bennington?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.87848, -73.11608 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Vermont Route 9.

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