Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area
Stoneham, Maine
topazphenakitesmoky quartzfeldspargarnetberyl
Forest Service collecting area · Free with permit
Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area
An old feldspar quarry on a knob above Horseshoe Pond, and one of the few places in the White Mountain National Forest where the Forest Service permits digging. More than fifty different minerals have been found on this hill; varieties of feldspar and quartz, plus topaz, phenakite and garnet, are the ones people climb for. Two quarry pits and a short spur to a pond overlook make it a good half-day even if the pockets stay shut.
The card catalog
| What you can find | topaz, phenakite, smoky quartz, feldspar, garnet, beryl |
|---|---|
| Access | Forest Service collecting area — Free with permit |
| Fees | free; self-issued mineral collecting permit at the site, valid for one day at one collecting area. Collecting limits and tool rules are printed on the permit |
| Season & hours | snow-free months; the northern approach on Deer Hill Road (FR9) closes seasonally, so the southern West Lovell Road side is the reliable route |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Doable with older grade-schoolers, but it is roughly 0.6 miles from the north trailhead or about 1.0 mile from the south, and every pound of rock comes back down on your back. Pack light and set a modest quota |
| 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.
More drawers in Maine
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Deer Hill Mineral Collecting Area
Stow, ME
amethyst, smoky quartz, feldspar
-
Dig Maine Gems / Maine Mineral Adventures
West Paris, ME
tourmaline, aquamarine, beryl
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Auburn, ME
tourmaline, apatite, quartz
Before you go
What does Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area cost?
free; self-issued mineral collecting permit at the site, valid for one day at one collecting area. Collecting limits and tool rules are printed on the permit Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area open?
snow-free months; the northern approach on Deer Hill Road (FR9) closes seasonally, so the southern West Lovell Road side is the reliable route Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area good for kids?
Yes — Lord Hill Mineral Collecting Area works for families. Doable with older grade-schoolers, but it is roughly 0.6 miles from the north trailhead or about 1.0 mile from the south, and every pound of rock comes back down on your back. Pack light and set a modest quota