Rockhounding sites near Ithaca

24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 60 miles of Ithaca, New York.

This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Ithaca, New York, sorted by distance within about 60 miles.

Where can you collect near Ithaca?

Near Ithaca, New York, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 60 miles of the city center — including 24 fossilss. The closest mapped spot is Ludlowville (6.7 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 Ithaca

Central placeIthaca, New York
Search radiusAbout 60 miles
Mapped spots24
Closest listingLudlowville (6.7 mi)
Specimen typesFossils (24)
Typical fees24 varies

All rockhounding sites near Ithaca

24 rockhounding collecting sites in New York, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.

Ludlowville — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Ludlowville

Fossil collection site, Thompkins County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies6.7 mi awayNew York
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Wellsburg — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Wellsburg

Fossil collection site, Chemung County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies14 mi awayNew York
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Nichols — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Nichols

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Tioga County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies18 mi awayNew York
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Waverly Quad — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Waverly Quad

Fossil collection site, Chemung County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies19 mi awayNew York
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South Lansing 4a — fossil rockhounding site near The Moscow, NY
FossilNY

South Lansing 4a

Fossil collection site in the Moscow, New York. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies20 mi awayThe Moscow
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Landers Creek — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Landers Creek

Fossil collection site, Broome County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies28 mi awayNew York
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Tully — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Tully

Fossil collection site in the Tully, Onondaga County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies31 mi awayNew York
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Elmira Quad — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Elmira Quad

Fossil collection site, Chemung County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies32 mi awayNew York
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South Lansing 1a — fossil rockhounding site near The Moscow, NY
FossilNY

South Lansing 1a

Fossil collection site in the Moscow, New York. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies33 mi awayThe Moscow
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Tinkers Falls 4 — fossil rockhounding site near The Moscow, NY
FossilNY

Tinkers Falls 4

Fossil collection site in the Moscow, New York. Environment: prodelta. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies33 mi awayThe Moscow
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Cayuga Lake — fossil rockhounding site near New York, NY
FossilNY

Cayuga Lake

Fossil collection site, Cayuga County, New York. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee varies37 mi awayNew York
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Map of rockhounding sites near Ithaca

Pins within about 60 miles — open a listing for fees, access, and directions.

24 sites mapped near Ithaca

Closest sites by distance

  1. Ludlowville — 7 mi · Fossil
  2. Wellsburg — 14 mi · Fossil
  3. Nichols — 18 mi · Fossil
  4. Waverly Quad — 19 mi · Fossil
  5. South Lansing 4a — 20 mi · Fossil
  6. Locality 1, Big Hollow Creek, Peppermill Gulf Bed, Centerfield Member, Ludlowvil — 22 mi · Fossil
  7. Locality 2, Moonshine Falls, Peppermill Gulf Bed, Centerfield Member, Ludlowvill — 22 mi · Fossil
  8. Along Hendy Creek, Where Road Turns Sw From Village Of Hendy Creeks + 11 To Cree — 26 mi · Fossil
  9. Locality 3, Conklin Grove, Peppermill Gulf Bed, Centerfield Member, Ludlowville — 27 mi · Fossil
  10. Landers Creek — 28 mi · Fossil
  11. Locality 4, Borodino Landing, Peppermill Gulf Bed, Centerfield Member, Ludlowvil — 30 mi · Fossil
  12. Locality 27, Fayette Town Quarry/dump, Levanna Member, Skaneateles Formation, Se — 30 mi · Fossil
  13. Tully — 31 mi · Fossil
  14. Sample 22 (delphi Station), Locality 10 (pompey Center), Skaneateles Fm., Ononda — 31 mi · Fossil
  15. Elmira Quad — 32 mi · Fossil

Types of rockhounding sites near Ithaca

Browse by specimen type in New York — each link opens the full state directory for that category.

Fossils rockhounding sites — natural outdoor collecting sites

Fossils (24)

Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.

Natural collecting sites in the Ithaca area

Ithaca is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in New York. Within about 60 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Ludlowville about 6.7 mi from the city center.

Most mapped spots near Ithaca are fossils rockhounding sites — trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land..

How distances work near Ithaca

Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in New York with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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.

How we research listings · Report a correction · Safety disclaimer

Rockhounding sites near Ithaca — FAQ

Where can you collect near Ithaca?

Near Ithaca, New York, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 60 miles — mainly 24 fossilss. 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 Ithaca, New York?

This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 60 miles of Ithaca. The full New York directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.

What is the closest rockhounding site to Ithaca?

The closest mapped spot to Ithaca is Ludlowville (6.7 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 Ithaca free?

24 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.

What types of rockhounding sites are near Ithaca?

Near Ithaca, documented specimen types include fossilss. A rockhounding site is a natural outcrop, wash, or creek gravel bar — not a fee dig or shop. Filter by type on the New York state page or open each card for specimen and access details.

When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Ithaca?

Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Ithaca, 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 Ithaca?

Field collecting near Ithaca 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.

Use my locationAll New York spots