If a day digging for your own gemstones is an adventure that calls to you, a day out at the Moat Mountain Mineral Site will be a dream. It's time to dig for treasure, just start out at the Moat Mountain Mineral Site Trailhead, and begin your adventure! There are additional trails out here to enjoy during your day out, as well. Be sure to pack a bag to bring out your treasure with you, and don't forget a good multitool to crack open those rocks. Now let's "dig" in for some good old-fashioned treasure hunting!

Welcome to Moat Mountain Mineral Site, a hike-in area where you can get find your own quartz - if you're lucky. Can you spot what sparkles in the stone?

Getting there can be a little tricky at first, because you will have to leave one of the main backroads and head on an adventure through the woods until you reach the trailhead. You will know when you arrive - the big sign is a tip-off. There, you will find the rules and paperwork. It is important that you fill out the day pass forms; then you are free to head into the woods on a great journey.

The Mineral Site trail is a nice and easy 2.3-mile hike, without too much elevation gain. However, all the rocks on the trail are a sign of something beautiful within.

Depending on the day, you might find that the trail is relatively quiet with no one around for miles, and that peace can be wonderful when you just want to enjoy a stroll through this beautiful White Mountain area.

If you're lucky enough, in the mining areas, you my find a little bit of sparkle that leads to a crystal you can keep forever. Quartz might be pretty common, but these smoky quartz points are quite a bit prettier than other kinds.

Inside that chunk of rock is a gem, usually smoky quartz, one of the prettiest and often overlooked stones you can mine for free in New England. There's just something so fun about taking a hammer or pick and putting in some effort to get a treasure.

Quartz on this mountain also comes in well known varieties, like amethyst (purple), clear quartz, and even fluorite, though those aren't as common at this spot. We're just happy to have this free dig area to find quartz of our own!

This beautiful little hike and mining adventure is great for most ages, especially as a treasure hunt. As long as you fill everything out as required, a day out at this mountain mineral site will be full of great memories.

The Moat Mountain Mineral Site is a great family outing that can have everyone picking through rocks and searching for treasure. The Forest Service offers a handy guide to collecting quartz on Moat Mountain. Otherwise, you'll find hiking information and more photos of the area on the Mineral Site AllTrails page. Getting Alltrails+ can be very helpful when you want to stay on the trail and find your way through this wonderful wilderness. For a whole weekend adventure in the White Mountains, check out this camping and hiking trip in New Hampshire. It always helps to see it before you go, so make sure you check out this video of the trail and mineral site from YouTuber Adventuring in the Moment.

https://youtu.be/j3o6IW9a7yg