Franklin Mineral Museum - Buckwheat Dump
Franklin, NJ
willemitefranklinitecalcite
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · April through November; Wednesday-Friday 11am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Rockhounding in New Jersey
The federal mineral record holds 1,266 entries for New Jersey — 1,158 mines that shipped ore, 29 prospects that never became mines, 34 recorded occurrences. Below it: 2 places where you can legally collect.
What's in the ground
Mineral history, not an invitation. This mineral history comes from a federal record of historic mines, prospects, and occurrences. It is not a list of places to collect. Historic mine sites are usually on private land, under active mining claims, or unsafe to enter — and often all three. The places you can actually collect are in the legal-access directory below.
The commodities that drew miners and prospectors to New Jersey, by number of historic records:
Iron · 649Copper · 40Limestone · 29Titanium · 16Zinc · 14Zirconium · 9Granite · 9Manganese · 7
For collectors, the record says:
- Copper — 40 records, clustered in Somerset, Middlesex, Essex counties
Records from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, a legacy federal database last revised August 2022 and no longer updated.
Where you can actually collect
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Sterling Hill Mining Museum - Mine Run Dump
Ogdensburg, NJ
willemitefranklinitecalcite
Fee dig · Fee · open daily 10am-3pm, weather permitting; the dump is completely exposed to the elements with no shade or shelter
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
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Questions collectors ask
Is rockhounding legal in New Jersey?
Yes — at places that allow it. This page lists 2 in New Jersey: fee digs, designated collecting areas, and official localities, each checked against its source. Everywhere else, legality depends on who owns the land and what rules apply. Before any trip: check land ownership and current mining claims, get permission, respect closures, and never enter old mine workings.
Can I collect at old mines in New Jersey?
Treat New Jersey's historic mines as history, not destinations. Most sit on private land or active mining claims, and old workings are dangerous even to walk. The mineral record on this page tells you what the ground holds — the directory tells you where you are welcome to look for it.