Elizabeth Mine: Chalcopyrite & Pyrrhotite Rockhounding in Orange County, Vermont

Updated June 2026

Elizabeth Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Orange County, Vermont. Reported finds include chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Orange County
State: Vermont
Nearest road: Crosstown Trail
Postcode: 05070
Coordinates: 43.82121, -72.33744

Geology at Elizabeth Mine

This spot sits on Gile Mountain Formation - thick-bedded micaceous feldspathic quartzite member, mapped as mica schist and quartzite that formed roughly 420 to 395 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Gile Mountain Formation - thick-bedded micaceous feldspathic quartzite member
Age: 420–395 Ma (Early Devonian)
Rock types: mica schist and quartzite
Elevation: 1,340 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 Elizabeth Mine

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, UNION VILLAGE DAM station (4 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 Elizabeth Mine

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 Elizabeth Mine.

Across the state line from Elizabeth Mine

Elizabeth Mine 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.

Elizabeth Mine FAQ

Where is Elizabeth Mine?+

Elizabeth Mine is in Orange County, Vermont, at 43.82121, -72.33744. Nearest road: Crosstown Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Elizabeth Mine?+

Elizabeth Mine is reported to produce Chalcopyrite, Pyrrhotite.

Is collecting allowed at Elizabeth Mine?+

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 Elizabeth Mine?+

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 Elizabeth Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Elizabeth Mine are April to October.

How do I get to Elizabeth Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.82121, -72.33744 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Crosstown Trail.

More rockhounding in Vermont

See all 29 Vermont spots →

Open Elizabeth Mine on the map

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