Ruggles Mine
Grafton, New Hampshire
muscovite micaberylblack tourmalinegarnetfeldsparrose quartz
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal
Ruggles Mine
Ruggles is a cathedral of a pegmatite, open pits and pillared galleries cut into Isinglass Mountain since 1803 for sheet mica. It sat closed for most of a decade before reopening to the public under new ownership. Admission buys you a five-gallon bucket of whatever you pry off the walls or pick off the floor, most commonly mica books, beryl, garnet and black tourmaline.
The card catalog
| What you can find | muscovite mica, beryl, black tourmaline, garnet, feldspar, rose quartz |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | $30 per person; kids under 10 free. Each paid admission covers up to one 5-gallon bucket of rocks and minerals |
| Season & hours | 2026 season opened May 22; Thursday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-3pm. Confirm before a long drive, since the mine has had closed years |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Under-10s get in free and the open pit and pillared tunnels are the draw for kids as much as the minerals. Loose rock, drop-offs and standing water, so keep them close and bring headlamps |
| Official source | Ruggles Mine (operator) |
| 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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Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site
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smoky quartz, amazonite, microcline
Before you go
What does Ruggles Mine cost?
$30 per person; kids under 10 free. Each paid admission covers up to one 5-gallon bucket of rocks and minerals Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Ruggles Mine open?
2026 season opened May 22; Thursday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-3pm. Confirm before a long drive, since the mine has had closed years Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Ruggles Mine good for kids?
Yes — Ruggles Mine works for families. Under-10s get in free and the open pit and pillared tunnels are the draw for kids as much as the minerals. Loose rock, drop-offs and standing water, so keep them close and bring headlamps