FossilAL
Top, Southeastern End Of The Madison Quarry
Fossil collection site in the Tuscumbia Limestone, Madison County, Alabama. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Huntsville
15 rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Huntsville, Alabama.
This page lists 15 natural rockhounding sites near Huntsville, Alabama, sorted by distance within about 100 miles.
Where can you collect near Huntsville?
Near Huntsville, Alabama, our directory maps 15 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles of the city center — including 1 quartz & crystals, 7 fossilss, 1 gold & minerals, and 6 others. The closest mapped spot is Top, Southeastern End Of The Madison Quarry (11 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.
At a glance — rockhounding sites near Huntsville
| Central place | Huntsville, Alabama |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 100 miles |
| Mapped spots | 15 |
| Closest listing | Top, Southeastern End Of The Madison Quarry (11 mi) |
| Specimen types | Quartz & Crystals (1), Fossils (7), Gold & Minerals (1), Other (6) |
| Typical fees | 15 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Huntsville
15 rockhounding collecting sites in Alabama, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
FossilAL
Lock 3, Cut On Seaboard Airline Rr. 6 Miles East-northeast Of Ragland
Fossil collection site in the Little Oak, St. Clair County, Alabama. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilAL
Railroad Embankment 0.25 Miles Northeast Of Odenville
Fossil collection site in the Odenville, St. Clair County, Alabama. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View details
IronAL
Hughes Prospect
Hughes Prospect is a mineral prospect in Cherokee, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Iron, Pyrolusite.
View detailsIronAL
Horace Davis Prospect
Horace Davis Prospect is a historic mining site in Calhoun, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Iron, Pyrolusite.
View detailsCobaltAL
R. Stockdale Property
R. Stockdale Property is a historic mining site in Cherokee, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Cobalt, Iron, Pyrolusite.
View detailsFossilAL
Near Rock Run, Along Alabama-georgia State Line At Midlength
Fossil collection site in the Copper Ridge Dolomite, Cherokee County, Alabama. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsIronAL
Agusta Mine/stockdale Mine
Agusta Mine/Stockdale Mine is a historic mining site in Cleburne, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Iron, Pyrolusite.
View detailsCobaltAL
Augusta Mines
Augusta Mines is a historic mining site in Cleburne, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Cobalt, Pyrolusite.
View detailsFossilAL
Birmingham, Red Mountain Expressway Cut, Bioherms
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County, Alabama. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilAL
1.75 Miles Northeast Of New Hope Church, North Of Pelham
Fossil collection site in the Little Oak, Shelby County, Alabama. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilAL
362-i. Cahaba Valley, South Of New Hope Church, 7 Miles North Pelham
Fossil collection site in the Odenville, Shelby County, Alabama. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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QuartzAL
Cheaha Quartz Outcrops
Quartz veins and pegmatite float occur on slopes of Cheaha Mountain, Alabama's highest point, within Cheaha State Park boundaries.
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GoldAL
Woodward Prospect
Woodward Prospect is a mineral prospect in Talladega, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold, Silver.
View detailsCobaltAL
Dulin Mine
Dulin Mine is a historic mining site in Clay, Alabama, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Cobalt, Pyrolusite.
View detailsMap of rockhounding sites near Huntsville
Pins within about 100 miles — open a listing for fees, access, and directions.
15 sites mapped near Huntsville
Closest sites by distance
- Top, Southeastern End Of The Madison Quarry — 11 mi · Fossil
- Lock 3, Cut On Seaboard Airline Rr. 6 Miles East-northeast Of Ragland — 72 mi · Fossil
- Railroad Embankment 0.25 Miles Northeast Of Odenville — 73 mi · Fossil
- Hughes Prospect — 81 mi · Iron
- Horace Davis Prospect — 82 mi · Iron
- R. Stockdale Property — 82 mi · Cobalt
- Near Rock Run, Along Alabama-georgia State Line At Midlength — 83 mi · Fossil
- Agusta Mine/stockdale Mine — 83 mi · Iron
- Augusta Mines — 83 mi · Cobalt
- Birmingham, Red Mountain Expressway Cut, Bioherms — 85 mi · Fossil
- 1.75 Miles Northeast Of New Hope Church, North Of Pelham — 91 mi · Fossil
- 362-i. Cahaba Valley, South Of New Hope Church, 7 Miles North Pelham — 92 mi · Fossil
- Cheaha Quartz Outcrops — 97 mi · Quartz
- Woodward Prospect — 99 mi · Gold
- Dulin Mine — 99 mi · Cobalt
Types of rockhounding sites near Huntsville
Browse by specimen type in Alabama — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Quartz & Crystals (1)
Quartz veins, crystal pockets, and pegmatite sites — from Herkimer diamonds to Arkansas clear quartz.
Fossils (7)
Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.
Gold & Minerals (1)
Placer gold, pyrite, copper minerals, and general ore-mineral localities open to casual collecting.
Other (6)
Mixed or specialty collecting — zeolites, fluorescent minerals, thundereggs, and unique regional finds.
Natural collecting sites in the Huntsville area
Huntsville is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in Alabama. Within about 100 miles you will find 15 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Top, Southeastern End Of The Madison Quarry about 11 mi from the city center.
The mix spans quartz & crystals, fossils, gold & minerals, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Huntsville
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in Alabama with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Huntsville city center — not driving time. A creek rockhounding site 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.
Field collecting near Huntsville includes informal gravel bars, dry washes, quarry faces, and developed park collecting areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume collecting is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.
Safety and field conditions near you
Field conditions near Huntsville change after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Unstable slopes, heat exhaustion, loose rock, and flash floods are real risks at creek and quarry rockhounding sites — most sites have no supervision. Check weather and local advisories before you start digging.
We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.
Rockhounding sites near Huntsville — FAQ
Where can you collect near Huntsville?
Near Huntsville, Alabama, our directory lists 15 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles — mainly 1 quartz & crystals, 7 fossilss, 1 gold & minerals, and 6 others. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.
How many rockhounding sites are near Huntsville, Alabama?
This page shows 15 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Huntsville. The full Alabama directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Huntsville?
The closest mapped spot to Huntsville is Top, Southeastern End Of The Madison Quarry (11 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.
Are rockhounding sites near Huntsville free?
15 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Huntsville?
Near Huntsville, documented specimen types include quartz & crystals, fossilss, gold & minerals, others. A rockhounding site is a natural outcrop, wash, or creek gravel bar — not a fee dig or shop. Filter by type on the Alabama state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Huntsville?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Huntsville, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — storms can make washes and creek banks unsafe.
Is it safe to collect near Huntsville?
Field collecting near Huntsville carries real risks: unstable slopes, heat, loose rock, and no rangers at most unofficial sites. Check weather and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our rockhounding safety basics guide and each listing's safety section before you dig.
Listing data last updated across spots on this page.