Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site
Conway, New Hampshire
smoky quartzamazonitemicroclinetopaz
Forest Service collecting area · Free with permit
Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site
Moat Mountain is where the Conway granite meets the Moat volcanics, and that granite is riddled with miarolitic cavities, gas bubbles left as the magma solidified that filled with smoky quartz, green amazonite and occasionally topaz. Take the free one-day permit at the trailhead off High Street in Conway and hike 0.9 miles in from the parking area. Read the permit before you start: it sets what you may take and what you may take it with, and collecting is for your own collection rather than for resale.
The card catalog
| What you can find | smoky quartz, amazonite, microcline, topaz |
|---|---|
| Access | Forest Service collecting area — Free with permit |
| Fees | free; a mineral collecting permit is required and is self-issued at the trailhead, valid for one day at one site. Collecting limits and tool restrictions are stated on the permit |
| Season & hours | open when the access road and trail are clear, roughly late spring through fall; High Street is a dirt road and passes a gate 1.4 miles in |
| Kids | Family-friendly — The 0.9-mile hike in is the main filter, plus the return trip carrying rock. Fine for grade-schoolers who hike; keep everyone away from overhanging ledges and old workings |
| Official source | USDA Forest Service - White Mountain National Forest |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site cost?
free; a mineral collecting permit is required and is self-issued at the trailhead, valid for one day at one site. Collecting limits and tool restrictions are stated on the permit Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site open?
open when the access road and trail are clear, roughly late spring through fall; High Street is a dirt road and passes a gate 1.4 miles in Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site good for kids?
Yes — Moat Mountain Mineral Collecting Site works for families. The 0.9-mile hike in is the main filter, plus the return trip carrying rock. Fine for grade-schoolers who hike; keep everyone away from overhanging ledges and old workings