Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area
Stow, Maine
amethystsmoky quartzfeldsparberylgarnetcolumbitemuscovitepyrite
Forest Service collecting area · Free with permit
Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area
Pull a free permit from the trailhead box in Stow, follow Deer Hill Road 2.2 miles in and walk about half a mile on the yellow-blazed trail, then dig for purple quartz in the sandy soil below the old workings, where a shovel and a sifting screen beat a hammer every time. Feldspars of many varieties, beryl, garnet, columbite, pyrite and thick books of muscovite show up alongside the amethyst. The permit is good for one day at one site only, so plan a single hill per trip.
The card catalog
| What you can find | amethyst, smoky quartz, feldspar, beryl, garnet, columbite, muscovite, pyrite |
|---|---|
| Access | Forest Service collecting area — Free with permit |
| Fees | free; a mineral collecting permit is required and is self-issued at the trailhead, valid for one day at one collecting site. The permit itself carries the volume limit and hand-tool terms, so read it when you sign |
| Season & hours | open whenever Deer Hill Road (FR9) is passable; the forest road closes seasonally, so plan on roughly late spring through fall |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Short walk in and the amethyst sits in sandy soil you screen rather than rock you break, which is ideal for kids. No restrooms or water at the trailhead |
| Official source | USDA Forest Service - White Mountain National Forest |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area cost?
free; a mineral collecting permit is required and is self-issued at the trailhead, valid for one day at one collecting site. The permit itself carries the volume limit and hand-tool terms, so read it when you sign Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area open?
open whenever Deer Hill Road (FR9) is passable; the forest road closes seasonally, so plan on roughly late spring through fall Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area good for kids?
Yes — Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area works for families. Short walk in and the amethyst sits in sandy soil you screen rather than rock you break, which is ideal for kids. No restrooms or water at the trailhead