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Lake Willoughby: Muscovite & Beryl Rockhounding in Orleans County, Vermont

Updated July 2026

The Route 5A road-cuts along the east shore of Lake Willoughby expose granite pegmatite carrying beryl, garnet, vesuvianite, and books of plumose muscovite, set beneath the fjord-like cliffs of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. It pairs genuine pegmatite collecting with one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Northeast Kingdom. Hand samples come from loose material at the base of the cuts. Reported finds include muscovite, beryl, garnet, idocrase. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Lake Willoughby photos

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

1 photo

Lake Willoughby between Mount Hor and Mount Pisgah, whose Route 5A road-cuts yield beryl and garnet, Westmore, Orleans County, Vermont.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Orleans County
State: Vermont
Nearest road: South Trail
Coordinates: 44.72759, -72.03294

Geology at Lake Willoughby

This spot sits on Waits River Formation - carbonaceous phyllite and limestone member, mapped as phyllite and limestone that formed roughly 425 to 395 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Waits River Formation - carbonaceous phyllite and limestone member
Age: 425–395 Ma (Pridoli to Early Devonian)
Rock types: phyllite and limestone
Elevation: 1,710 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 Lake Willoughby

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 74°F in midsummer and 20°F in midwinter, with winter lows near -4°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SUTTON 2NE 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 Lake Willoughby

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 Lake Willoughby.

Across the state line from Lake Willoughby

Lake Willoughby 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.

Lake Willoughby FAQ

Where is Lake Willoughby?+

Lake Willoughby is in Orleans County, Vermont, at 44.72759, -72.03294. Nearest road: South Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lake Willoughby?+

Lake Willoughby is reported to produce Muscovite, Beryl, Garnet, Idocrase.

Is collecting allowed at Lake Willoughby?+

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 Lake Willoughby?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Lake Willoughby?+

The most comfortable months at Lake Willoughby are April to October.

How do I get to Lake Willoughby?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.72759, -72.03294 in Google Maps. The nearest road is South Trail.

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