Park Hill: Staurolite Rockhounding in Cheshire County, New Hampshire

Updated June 2026

Park Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Reported finds include staurolite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Cheshire County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: Partridge Brook Road
Postcode: 03467
Coordinates: 42.97118, -72.45971

Geology at Park Hill

This spot sits on Partridge Formation, mapped as slate and phyllite that formed roughly 460 to 445 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this is where garnet, staurolite, and kyanite typically grow as the rock recrystallizes under heat and pressure.

Mapped unit: Partridge Formation
Age: 460–445 Ma (Late Ordovician)
Rock types: slate and phyllite
Elevation: 290 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.

Best time to visit Park Hill

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 32°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WALPOLE 2S NEPP station (5 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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.

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.

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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Park Hill

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Staurolite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Park Hill.

Across the state line from Park Hill

Park Hill is close enough to the New Hampshire border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Park Hill FAQ

Where is Park Hill?+

Park Hill is in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, at 42.97118, -72.45971. Nearest road: Partridge Brook Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Park Hill?+

Park Hill is reported to produce Staurolite.

Is collecting allowed at Park Hill?+

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 Park Hill?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Park Hill?+

The most comfortable months at Park Hill are April to November.

How do I get to Park Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.97118, -72.45971 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Partridge Brook Road.

More rockhounding in New Hampshire

See all 43 New Hampshire spots →

Open Park Hill on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.