You’ll Love Digging For Garnets At The Unique Salmon River State Forest In Connecticut
Marie Magoch
Author
Ever dreamed about heading out with nothing but a treasure map and a shovel and managing to find hidden buried treasure? Sadly, we can’t promise you a chest filled with jewels and gold coins. Even so, we can definitely tell you about one of the best places to dig up your own fun! There aren’t many public gem mines in Connecticut, but we do have the Salmon River State Forest. There are plenty of hikes and other great recreational opportunities in this beautiful state forest, but it’s also part of the Connecticut garnet trail.
Related Stories
With Woodland Trails And Beautiful Lakes, James L. Goodwin State Forest In Connecticut Is Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
A Trip To This Seashell Beach In Connecticut Is An Adventure Like No Other
There's Almost Nothing A Hike In Connecticut Nature At Whittemore Glen State Park Scenic Reserve Can't Cure
Did you know about the Connecticut garnet trail? You can learn more about all the stops on this great adventure from the Connecticut Geological Survey website. Please note that collecting minerals on state property is prohibited – please leave any gems you find for all to enjoy!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Where To Find Geodes In Connecticut
Are there any mines in Connecticut?
The trail at Mine Hill Preserve is really neat. It winds around the old Roxbury Mine in Litchfield County. Many of the buildings and tools associated with the mine are still standing — it makes for really interesting scenery along the hike!
What are some more stops on the Connecticut garnet trail?
You can actually find garnet all throughout the Nutmeg State, but the stops along the Connecticut garnet trail are some of the best places to find the gem. Bolton Notch State Park is one of the least popular state parks in the state, but it's actually one of the best places to find geodes in Connecticut. There is plenty of garnet here and you'll also find staurolite.
What is garnet in Connecticut used for?
Garnet is most commonly used in jewelry thanks to its beautiful, bright coloration. It's also quite durable, so it's frequently used as an additive for abrasives like sandpaper. It's also sometimes used as a filler in concrete.