Devil's Den: Smoky Quartz & Quartz Rockhounding in Rutland County, Vermont
Updated July 2026
Devil's Den, high on Mount Tabor inside the Green Mountain National Forest, is one of the finest alpine quartz-crystal sites in the northeastern United States, producing smoky quartz and occasional amethyst in pockets in schist. Because it lies on national forest land, casual personal collecting of common minerals is allowed without a permit. The site sits within the White Rocks National Recreation Area. Reported finds include smoky quartz, quartz, pyrite, ilmenite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Devil's Den photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Devil's Den in Rutland County, Vermont
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Rutland County
- State
- Vermont
- Nearest road
- Seasonal Forestry Road
- Coordinates
- 43.35693, -72.89278
Geology at Devil's Den
This spot sits on Biotite-muscovite-plagioclase-quartz schist, mapped as mica schist 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-muscovite-plagioclase-quartz schist
- Age
- 1600–1200 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
- Rock types
- mica schist
- Elevation
- 2,110 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 Devil's Den
Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 73°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PERU 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 Devil's Den
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 Devil's Den.
- LudlowTop pick in VermontWindsor County, Vermont · 11 mi awayTourmaline, Pyrite, Talc
- Camp Plymouth State ParkTop pick in VermontWindsor County, Vermont · 12 mi awayGold
- GassettsTop pick in VermontWindsor County, Vermont · 14 mi awayQuartz, Garnet, Tourmaline
- Round HillRutland County, Vermont · 14 mi awayGreen Aventurine
- PerkinsvilleWindsor County, Vermont · 19 mi awayPyrite, Pyrrhotite, Chlorite
- ProctorRutland County, Vermont · 21 mi awayMarble
- Adams BrookTop pick in VermontWindham County, Vermont · 29 mi awaySerpentine, Quartz, Red Agate
- BenningtonTop pick in VermontBennington County, Vermont · 35 mi awayBlue Quartz, Garnet, Feldspar
Across the state line from Devil's Den
Devil's Den 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.
- FairhavenWashington County, New York · 21 mi awayPyrite, Bornite, Chalcopyrite
- Beryl MountainSullivan County, New Hampshire · 32 mi awayBeryl, Rose Quartz
- Derry HillCheshire County, New Hampshire · 34 mi awayBeryl, Rose Quartz
- Park HillCheshire County, New Hampshire · 34 mi awayStaurolite
- Spofford LakeCheshire County, New Hampshire · 38 mi awayFluorite
- Melvin Hill (Grafton)Grafton County, New Hampshire · 43 mi awayBeryl, Spessartine Garnet
Devil's Den FAQ
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More rockhounding in Vermont
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