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Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain): Green Tourmaline & Schorl Rockhounding in Oxford County, Maine

Public accessBest spot6 mineralsOxford County, MaineUpdated June 2026
Minerals reported
6
Elevation
1,490 ft
Best months
April to October

The historic Harvard Quarry on Noyes Mountain produced the gem green tourmaline that gave the Harvard green color its name, and its dumps still yield schorl, beryl, smoky quartz, rose quartz, and purple apatite. The quarry acre is held open to the public by its private owner at no charge, and the surrounding Noyes Mountain Preserve permits rock hounding under the Western Foothills Land Trust. Reported finds include green tourmaline, schorl, beryl, rose quartz, smoky quartz, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

State
Maine
Get directionsView on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: Reach the quarry by the Harvard Trail from the preserve parking lot at 172 Richardson Hollow Road in Greenwood, about a 1.2 mile walk. Surface collecting with hand tools is allowed at no charge, but no blasting is permitted and the steep talus above the quarry is loose.

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.

Best time to visit Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BETHEL 6 SSE station (6 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)

This spot sits on Sangerville Formation, Anasagunticook member, mapped as metasandstone that formed roughly 445 to 435 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit
Sangerville Formation, Anasagunticook member
Age
445–435 Ma (Llandovery)
Rock types
metasandstone
Elevation
1,490 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.

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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.

State guidance last verified:

Found at Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)

Each name 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 Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain).

Across the state line from Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)

Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain) is close enough to the Maine border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain) FAQ

Where is Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)?+
Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain) is in Oxford County, Maine, at 44.29170, -70.63870.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)?+
Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain) is reported to produce Green Tourmaline, Schorl, Beryl, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Purple Apatite.
Is collecting allowed at Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)?+
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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What tools should I bring to Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)?+
A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.
When is the best time to visit Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)?+
The most comfortable months at Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain) are April to October.
How do I get to Harvard Quarry (Noyes Mountain)?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 44.29170, -70.63870 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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