New Jersey
View New Jersey Rock Pup Sites in a larger map
Quartz Points - Montague, NJ
What you'll find - Water clear quartz crystals up to 3" long
Fees - Free
Address - Take the Port Jervis exit off of Interstate 84 and head south into NJ on 23. The Clove Brook trail is right behind the gas stations and McDonald's in Montague.
Tips: Park at the Shop Rite or in the pull off on the west side of 23 before the bridge over Clove Brook where the Montague sign is. To the right (west) of this stream you'll see a ATV trail/footpath. The path may be on private property, but there are no businesses or houses near it and it leads to the state land on the ridge. Follow this path for about a half a mile, past the remains of an old bridge, to where a swamp starts to open up to your left. On your right, about halfway up the ridge, you'll see a small, old, limestone quarry with lots of loose rock below it. We found lots of little quartz points in the pile, but didn't find to much at the top where the bedrock is exposed. The loose stone is really steep, and my 7 year old made it up ok, but I would not recommend it for younger children. We also found very small pieces in the path on the way to the mine, and there may be some in Clove Brook itself, but the water was to high to check. It could be fun to try and take buckets of the loose material on the slope and sluice them in the stream with a screen for kids who can't make the climb safely.
Kid Fact - This ridge is also known for fossil shells and trilobites, so keep your eyes open.
Fees - Free
Address - Take the Port Jervis exit off of Interstate 84 and head south into NJ on 23. The Clove Brook trail is right behind the gas stations and McDonald's in Montague.
Tips: Park at the Shop Rite or in the pull off on the west side of 23 before the bridge over Clove Brook where the Montague sign is. To the right (west) of this stream you'll see a ATV trail/footpath. The path may be on private property, but there are no businesses or houses near it and it leads to the state land on the ridge. Follow this path for about a half a mile, past the remains of an old bridge, to where a swamp starts to open up to your left. On your right, about halfway up the ridge, you'll see a small, old, limestone quarry with lots of loose rock below it. We found lots of little quartz points in the pile, but didn't find to much at the top where the bedrock is exposed. The loose stone is really steep, and my 7 year old made it up ok, but I would not recommend it for younger children. We also found very small pieces in the path on the way to the mine, and there may be some in Clove Brook itself, but the water was to high to check. It could be fun to try and take buckets of the loose material on the slope and sluice them in the stream with a screen for kids who can't make the climb safely.
Kid Fact - This ridge is also known for fossil shells and trilobites, so keep your eyes open.
Shark teeth & other Cretaceous fossils - Big Brook, Marlboro, NJ
What you'll find - Fossils from the Late Cretaceous period
What are they - Sharks teeth, Squid skulls, Shells
Fees - Free
Website - www.njfossils.net/cover.html
Address - Boundary Rd, near intersection with Berkley Place, near Marlboro, NJ
Tips: Parking is right along the roadside by the bridge here. Follow the path under the Big Brook sign, down the side of the road then bridge to the water. We walked upstream a ways to a couple of good sized gravel banks in the middle of the brook. We used trowels and sturdy plastic sieves for the kids, and sifted through a shovel full of gravel at a time. If you find a good spot, every five or so sieve fulls you'll find something. By digging a hole about six inches into the gravel bank we found lots of shark teeth, and Belemnites (squid butt bones). Check the website njfossils.net if you want the names of the species found in the brook. We even found a small Mosasaur tooth (second from the top left in the picture). This is great trip for kids about 6 and up since the water is usually only knee deep. Go on a hot day because you will get quite wet.
Kid Fact - A Mosasaur is an extinct reptile that looks like a cross between a crocodile and a whale.
What are they - Sharks teeth, Squid skulls, Shells
Fees - Free
Website - www.njfossils.net/cover.html
Address - Boundary Rd, near intersection with Berkley Place, near Marlboro, NJ
Tips: Parking is right along the roadside by the bridge here. Follow the path under the Big Brook sign, down the side of the road then bridge to the water. We walked upstream a ways to a couple of good sized gravel banks in the middle of the brook. We used trowels and sturdy plastic sieves for the kids, and sifted through a shovel full of gravel at a time. If you find a good spot, every five or so sieve fulls you'll find something. By digging a hole about six inches into the gravel bank we found lots of shark teeth, and Belemnites (squid butt bones). Check the website njfossils.net if you want the names of the species found in the brook. We even found a small Mosasaur tooth (second from the top left in the picture). This is great trip for kids about 6 and up since the water is usually only knee deep. Go on a hot day because you will get quite wet.
Kid Fact - A Mosasaur is an extinct reptile that looks like a cross between a crocodile and a whale.
Puddingstone - Upper Greenwood Lake, NJ
What you'll find - Puddingstone
What are they - Pinkish Quartz Conglomerate Stones
Fees - Free
Address - Near Warwick Turnpike & Lake Shore Drive intersection, Upper Greenwood Lake, NJ
Tips - As you drive downhill on Warwick Turnpike you'll see the Puddingstone, in the rock cuts on both sides of the road. The North side of the road is NJ state forest and has several pull off areas where you can park and explore, without worrying about trespassing. You'll see state forest sins on the trees. One of the better pull off areas is near the top of the hill since it doesn't have such a drop off, and a dry stream bed runs right into the culvert by the pull off. You can follow the stream bed uphill to the left a ways and find more Puddingstone than you can carry. The stream bed has lots of smaller chunks in it, easy for the kids to pick up. It's not worth much, but it's certainly unique looking.
Kid Fact - Puddingstone is pretty common all over the US, but this is one of the only places it's pink and white instead of brown.
What are they - Pinkish Quartz Conglomerate Stones
Fees - Free
Address - Near Warwick Turnpike & Lake Shore Drive intersection, Upper Greenwood Lake, NJ
Tips - As you drive downhill on Warwick Turnpike you'll see the Puddingstone, in the rock cuts on both sides of the road. The North side of the road is NJ state forest and has several pull off areas where you can park and explore, without worrying about trespassing. You'll see state forest sins on the trees. One of the better pull off areas is near the top of the hill since it doesn't have such a drop off, and a dry stream bed runs right into the culvert by the pull off. You can follow the stream bed uphill to the left a ways and find more Puddingstone than you can carry. The stream bed has lots of smaller chunks in it, easy for the kids to pick up. It's not worth much, but it's certainly unique looking.
Kid Fact - Puddingstone is pretty common all over the US, but this is one of the only places it's pink and white instead of brown.
Iron Slag - Waywayanda State Park, NJ
What you'll find - Black glassy iron slag
What are they - Historic garbage, basically. It's the by-product of smelting iron ore.
Hours - About 10am to 6:30pm
Fees - To get into the park Memorial Day to Labor Day it's $5 per
vehicle on weekdays, and $10 on weekends. The rest of the year
it's usually free.
Website - www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/wawayanda.html
Address - Entrance is near 842 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ, 07421
Tips - As you enter the park and drive towards Lake Waywayanda you will see a sign on the left for the Iron Furnace and camping area, where there is a small parking area. Follow the gravel road in a bit, and when you come to the first bench on the left, by Waywanda Creek, check out the creek bank. It's everywhere. It's black, glassy, or brown, and bubbly looking. It's not worth anything, but it is pretty cool looking and historic. The Iron furnace, that is still intact farther down the gravel road, smelted iron from 1846 to 1857. So, you are collecting Civil War era slag. While there is literally tons of it making up the creek's bank, just take a few of your favorites, so you don't get in trouble by the park police. The park also has some camping spots and a lake with a sand beach, for hot days with the kids.
Kid Fact - The iron from the furnace was used to make train wheels. The stone ruins of the town that used to be here are found along the creek bank and down by the furnace.
What are they - Historic garbage, basically. It's the by-product of smelting iron ore.
Hours - About 10am to 6:30pm
Fees - To get into the park Memorial Day to Labor Day it's $5 per
vehicle on weekdays, and $10 on weekends. The rest of the year
it's usually free.
Website - www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/wawayanda.html
Address - Entrance is near 842 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ, 07421
Tips - As you enter the park and drive towards Lake Waywayanda you will see a sign on the left for the Iron Furnace and camping area, where there is a small parking area. Follow the gravel road in a bit, and when you come to the first bench on the left, by Waywanda Creek, check out the creek bank. It's everywhere. It's black, glassy, or brown, and bubbly looking. It's not worth anything, but it is pretty cool looking and historic. The Iron furnace, that is still intact farther down the gravel road, smelted iron from 1846 to 1857. So, you are collecting Civil War era slag. While there is literally tons of it making up the creek's bank, just take a few of your favorites, so you don't get in trouble by the park police. The park also has some camping spots and a lake with a sand beach, for hot days with the kids.
Kid Fact - The iron from the furnace was used to make train wheels. The stone ruins of the town that used to be here are found along the creek bank and down by the furnace.
Cape May Diamonds - Cape May, NJ
What you'll find - Cape May Diamonds, Jasper, Fossils
What are they - The "diamonds" are actually rounded quartz pebbles
Fees - Free
Address - The end of Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ
Tips: Cape May "diamonds" can be found all over Cape May, but one of the best spots is Sunset Beach. The beach was free (a rarity in NJ), clean and uncrowded. The waves are tamer here than in other spots because it's just on the the inside edge of Cape May. At the end of Sunset Blvd, there's a couple of gift shops, a restaurant, and a cool little rock shop. Once you walk out onto the beach there's a jetty that points to a sunken ship. The diamonds are everywhere, but especially to the right of the jetty. The kids LOVED this spot! They got beach time and easy rock hunting time. While sifting rocks out from under water they even found a number of hermit crabs. If you want to make your diamonds shine clearer when they aren't wet, just throw the larger ones in a rock tumbler on polish for a couple of weeks.
Kid Fact - The diamonds are actually quartz crystals that travel about 200 miles down the Delaware River. The native americans were the first to discover them and believed the diamonds were good luck.
What are they - The "diamonds" are actually rounded quartz pebbles
Fees - Free
Address - The end of Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ
Tips: Cape May "diamonds" can be found all over Cape May, but one of the best spots is Sunset Beach. The beach was free (a rarity in NJ), clean and uncrowded. The waves are tamer here than in other spots because it's just on the the inside edge of Cape May. At the end of Sunset Blvd, there's a couple of gift shops, a restaurant, and a cool little rock shop. Once you walk out onto the beach there's a jetty that points to a sunken ship. The diamonds are everywhere, but especially to the right of the jetty. The kids LOVED this spot! They got beach time and easy rock hunting time. While sifting rocks out from under water they even found a number of hermit crabs. If you want to make your diamonds shine clearer when they aren't wet, just throw the larger ones in a rock tumbler on polish for a couple of weeks.
Kid Fact - The diamonds are actually quartz crystals that travel about 200 miles down the Delaware River. The native americans were the first to discover them and believed the diamonds were good luck.
Late Cretaceous fossils - Poricy Park Fossil Beds, Middletown, NJ
What you'll find - Fossils from the Late Cretaceous period
What are they - Sharks teeth, Squid skulls, Shells
Fees - Free
Website - www.poricypark.org/fossilbedsfossilhunt.html
Address - Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, NJ (between Nutswanp
Rd & Oak Hill Rd)
Tips: You'll need shoes that can get wet, and some sieves and shovels. We didn't know really what we were looking for other than the sharks teeth, which we only found one of, and I think we accidentally threw a lot of fossils back. Basically if it looks odd to you, and not like an ordinary rock, pick it up and you can figure it out later. We found lots of pen cap looking squid skulls and shell fossils here, and the kids had fun walking around a stream bed for an couple of hours. The water is generally less than knee deep for the most part, but keep the kids close.
What are they - Sharks teeth, Squid skulls, Shells
Fees - Free
Website - www.poricypark.org/fossilbedsfossilhunt.html
Address - Middletown-Lincroft Road, Middletown, NJ (between Nutswanp
Rd & Oak Hill Rd)
Tips: You'll need shoes that can get wet, and some sieves and shovels. We didn't know really what we were looking for other than the sharks teeth, which we only found one of, and I think we accidentally threw a lot of fossils back. Basically if it looks odd to you, and not like an ordinary rock, pick it up and you can figure it out later. We found lots of pen cap looking squid skulls and shell fossils here, and the kids had fun walking around a stream bed for an couple of hours. The water is generally less than knee deep for the most part, but keep the kids close.
Shark teeth & other Cretaceous fossils - Big Brook, Colts Neck, NJ
Picture from digfossils.com
What you'll find - Fossils from the Late Cretaceous period
What are they - Sharks teeth, Squid skulls, Shells
Fees - Free
Website - www.njfossils.net/cover.html
Address - Hillsdale Rd, Colts Neck, NJ
Tips: There is a parking area on Hillsdale Rd, just north of the stream. Just stay in the stream or you are probably trespassing. The fossils here are almost the same as in Poricy Park (above). It's less well known, meaning possibly more fossils, but it's also a little deeper, muddier, and harder to walk around in. I just about lost a sandal in the riverbank mud just getting down to the stream.
What are they - Sharks teeth, Squid skulls, Shells
Fees - Free
Website - www.njfossils.net/cover.html
Address - Hillsdale Rd, Colts Neck, NJ
Tips: There is a parking area on Hillsdale Rd, just north of the stream. Just stay in the stream or you are probably trespassing. The fossils here are almost the same as in Poricy Park (above). It's less well known, meaning possibly more fossils, but it's also a little deeper, muddier, and harder to walk around in. I just about lost a sandal in the riverbank mud just getting down to the stream.
Fluorescent Minerals - The Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin, NJ
What you'll find - Fluorescent Minerals
What are they - Rocks that glow under special UV light
Hours - March on weekends, weekdays by appointment for groups
Apr - Nov, Mon -Fri 10am - 4pm, Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 5pm
Fees - Museum - $7 ages 12+, $4 ages 3-12, $5 seniors
Rock Collecting - $7 ages 12+, $4 ages 3-12, $5seniors plus $1.50
per pound of rocks
Museum & Collecting - $12 ages 12+, $7 ages 3-12, $8 seniors
includes collecting bag & 2 pounds of rocks
Website - www.franklinmineralmuseum.com/index.htm
Address - 32 Evans Street, Franklin, NJ
Phone - (315 )891-3855
Tips: The museum basically has a lot fluorescent and non-fluorescent rocks in it along with a mine replica. The Sterling Hill museum down the road is a more interesting museum for kids. However, of the two places in norther New Jersey to actually hunt for florescent minerals this one has the larger pit to explore. Looking for glow in the dark rocks during the day takes a lot of walking back and forth to the UV shack to see if you've actually got anything cool. If you can get your hands on a hand held light and a dark blanket, it will save you a lot of walking. What's really cool is that a couple of times a year they have night digs at this pit, but again you kind of need to have a fluorescent mineral lamp which they of course sell there.
What are they - Rocks that glow under special UV light
Hours - March on weekends, weekdays by appointment for groups
Apr - Nov, Mon -Fri 10am - 4pm, Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 11am - 5pm
Fees - Museum - $7 ages 12+, $4 ages 3-12, $5 seniors
Rock Collecting - $7 ages 12+, $4 ages 3-12, $5seniors plus $1.50
per pound of rocks
Museum & Collecting - $12 ages 12+, $7 ages 3-12, $8 seniors
includes collecting bag & 2 pounds of rocks
Website - www.franklinmineralmuseum.com/index.htm
Address - 32 Evans Street, Franklin, NJ
Phone - (315 )891-3855
Tips: The museum basically has a lot fluorescent and non-fluorescent rocks in it along with a mine replica. The Sterling Hill museum down the road is a more interesting museum for kids. However, of the two places in norther New Jersey to actually hunt for florescent minerals this one has the larger pit to explore. Looking for glow in the dark rocks during the day takes a lot of walking back and forth to the UV shack to see if you've actually got anything cool. If you can get your hands on a hand held light and a dark blanket, it will save you a lot of walking. What's really cool is that a couple of times a year they have night digs at this pit, but again you kind of need to have a fluorescent mineral lamp which they of course sell there.
Fluorescent Minerals - Sterling Hill, Franklin, NJ
What you'll find - Fluorescent Minerals
What are they - Rocks that glow under special UV light
Hours - Spring, Summer & Fall 7 days/week
Generally 10am - 3pm with tours at 1pm but check site
Fees - Tour - $10 ages 12+, $8 ages 12 and under, $9 seniors
Rock Collecting - Only Ages 7+ allowed, $5 + $1.50 per pound
Website - sterlinghillminingmuseum.org/index.php
Address - 30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg, NJ
Phone - 973-209-7212
Tips: The tour here really explains a lot about the florescent minerals here, and you get to go into the actual underground mine. At one point they even turn out the lights and light up a whole wall of glowing minerals still embedded in the mine. My kids liked the mine tour and especially the sample rock they gave them. We have never hunted for rocks in their pit, however, because they only allow children over age 7 in the mine dump. According to their site they also have night collecting a couple of times a year.
What are they - Rocks that glow under special UV light
Hours - Spring, Summer & Fall 7 days/week
Generally 10am - 3pm with tours at 1pm but check site
Fees - Tour - $10 ages 12+, $8 ages 12 and under, $9 seniors
Rock Collecting - Only Ages 7+ allowed, $5 + $1.50 per pound
Website - sterlinghillminingmuseum.org/index.php
Address - 30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg, NJ
Phone - 973-209-7212
Tips: The tour here really explains a lot about the florescent minerals here, and you get to go into the actual underground mine. At one point they even turn out the lights and light up a whole wall of glowing minerals still embedded in the mine. My kids liked the mine tour and especially the sample rock they gave them. We have never hunted for rocks in their pit, however, because they only allow children over age 7 in the mine dump. According to their site they also have night collecting a couple of times a year.