General Area (Herkimer County 3): Herkimer Diamond Rockhounding in Herkimer County, New York

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Herkimer County

State

New York

Postcode

13350

Coordinates

43.11121, -74.99469

Geology at General Area (Herkimer County 3)

This spot sits on Utica Shale, mapped as black shale that formed roughly 470 to 460 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

Utica Shale

Age

470–460 Ma (Middle Ordovician)

Rock types

black shale

Elevation

900 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 General Area (Herkimer County 3)

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LITTLE FALLS CITY RSCH station (7 mi away).

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 General Area (Herkimer County 3)

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

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