Palermo Mine
Rockhounding site in North Groton, New Hampshire · Quartz & Crystals
Palermo Mine is a pegmatite rockhounding site near North Groton, NH. Fee varies. Best season: Late spring through fall on scheduled trips.
Typical season: Late spring through fall on scheduled trips
About Palermo Mine
Palermo Mine near North Groton is a cornerstone New Hampshire pegmatite locality in collector literature. Its phosphate assemblage draws advanced collectors, but access is controlled.
Key facts
Structured details for trip planning — verify access and fees with the land manager before you visit.
- Specimen type
- Pegmatite
- Primary specimens
- Phosphate minerals, Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Rare pegmatite species
- Fee status
- Fee varies
- Nearest town
- North Groton
- State
- New Hampshire
- Coordinates
- 43.78000, -71.75000
- Best season
- Late spring through fall on scheduled trips; winter access is often impossible
- Access difficulty
- Moderate quarry and dump walking; uneven rock and mud
- Parking
- Roadside / pull-off
- Collecting hazards
- See safety tips
- Camping
- Commercial camping in the wider New Hampshire Lakes Region
- Activities
- Pegmatite mineral collecting on authorized trips only
- Facilities
- None guaranteed; follow trip leader instructions
- Last updated
- 2026-10-06
What to pack for Palermo Mine
Gear we compare for quartz & crystals trips like this one — tools, safety, and the hike in.
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The experience
- Best time to visitLate spring through fall on scheduled trips; winter access is often impossible
- AccessModerate quarry and dump walking; uneven rock and mud
- FacilitiesNone guaranteed; follow trip leader instructions
- Camping nearbyCommercial camping in the wider New Hampshire Lakes Region
Highlights & features
- One of New England’s most celebrated phosphate pegmatites
- Frequent club and guided trip destination when open
Plan your visit
Join a scheduled trip, pack safety glasses and sturdy boots, and leave the site cleaner than you found it.
Things you need to take to Palermo Mine
Estwing 22 oz Geological Pick
If you buy one hammer, make it this one.
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ASR Outdoor 38pc Deluxe Rock Hounding Kit
The kit to buy when you want prospecting-grade accessories, not just a hammer in a bag.
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Rock Chasing US Rocks & Minerals Field Guide
The guide to clip on your pack when you do not know what you are looking at yet.
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BelOMO 10x Triplet Loupe
The loupe to buy once and carry for decades.
Check price on AmazonDisclosure: Gear links may earn a commission as an Amazon Associate — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Access & fees
Never enter without current permission. Private land and liability rules apply. Prefer Herkimer fee digs in New York or Mount Mica, area arranged trips when you need a planned collecting day.
Never enter without current permission. Private land and liability rules apply. Prefer Herkimer fee digs in New York or Mount Mica, area arranged trips when you need a planned collecting day.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone dig at Palermo Mine New Hampshire?
No. Palermo is not a casual public fee dig. Collecting is limited to authorized trips, club schedules, or arrangements with the current land controller. Do not trespass.
What minerals is Palermo Mine known for?
Palermo No. 1 is famous for a diverse phosphate mineral suite along with quartz, feldspar, and mica in a classic New Hampshire pegmatite setting.
How do I visit Palermo Mine legally?
Watch mineral club field-trip calendars and any publicly announced open dates from the site’s managers. Bring required waivers, eye protection, and follow dump-safety rules.
Explore related hubs
Report an access change
Field conditions change. If this site is closed, claimed, flooded, or the fee has changed, tell us — we update listings with community tips and desk verification.
Include the date you visited and any land-manager contact. Do not share private gate codes.
Map & location
Conservation
Pegmatite dumps are finite. Take modest samples, avoid blasting or heavy excavation unless expressly allowed, and fill any dig holes per trip rules.
Sources & updates
Spotted outdated access, fees, or safety info? Use Report an access change on this page or send a correction with the page URL — we review every submission.