The federal mineral record holds 1,664 entries for Maine — 1,025 mines that shipped ore, 290 prospects that never became mines, 197 recorded occurrences. Below it: 4 places where you can legally collect.
Mineral history, not an invitation. This mineral history comes from a federal record of historic mines, prospects, and occurrences. It is not a list of places to collect. Historic mine sites are usually on private land, under active mining claims, or unsafe to enter — and often all three. The places you can actually collect are in the legal-access directory below.
The commodities that drew miners and prospectors to Maine, by number of historic records:
Silver · 277Copper · 272Granite · 222Lead · 189Feldspar · 186Gold · 136Gemstone · 117Mica · 106
Records from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, a legacy federal database last revised August 2022 and no longer updated.
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area
Stow, ME
amethystsmoky quartzfeldspar
Forest Service collecting area · Free with permit · open whenever Deer Hill Road (FR9) is passable; the forest road closes seasonally, so plan on roughly late spring through fall
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Dig Maine Gems / Maine Mineral Adventures
West Paris, ME
tourmalineaquamarineberyl
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · April through November, whenever the ground is not frozen. Sifting site open daily except Wednesdays, 10am-3pm; Mount Mica trips meet Sundays at 9am at 110 Bethel Rd, West Paris and leave promptly at 9:30am, returning about 3pm. No reservation necessary
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area
Stoneham, ME
topazphenakitesmoky quartz
Forest Service collecting area · Free with permit · snow-free months; the northern approach on Deer Hill Road (FR9) closes seasonally, so the southern West Lovell Road side is the reliable route
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Auburn, ME
tourmalineapatitequartz
Public land, rules apply · Free · open to the public dawn to dusk, year-round, though the tailings are workable only when the ground is not frozen or snow-covered
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Yes — at places that allow it. This page lists 4 in Maine: fee digs, designated collecting areas, and official localities, each checked against its source. Everywhere else, legality depends on who owns the land and what rules apply. Before any trip: check land ownership and current mining claims, get permission, respect closures, and never enter old mine workings.
Treat Maine's historic mines as history, not destinations. Most sit on private land or active mining claims, and old workings are dangerous even to walk. The mineral record on this page tells you what the ground holds — the directory tells you where you are welcome to look for it.