Discovering Crystals on Hiking Trails Across the United States by Region

Exploring the great outdoors can be a rewarding experience, especially when you stumble upon beautiful crystals along the way.
Each region in the U.S. offers unique geological treasures that can be found while hiking. Here’s a guide to six common crystals you might encounter on your adventures in each region.

New England

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

1. Quartz: Clear and smoky quartz can be found throughout the New England region, especially in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the pegmatite deposits of Maine.
2. Garnet: These red crystals are common in the metamorphic rocks of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
3. Beryl: This crystal, which includes varieties like aquamarine, can be found in the pegmatite deposits of Maine and Massachusetts.
4. Staurolite: Known as fairy crosses, these unique crystals can be found in the northern parts of the region.
5. Tourmaline: Maine is particularly known for its colorful tourmaline crystals.
6. Amethyst: This purple crystal can be found in the northern parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Mid-Atlantic

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania

1. Quartz: Clear quartz can be found in various locations, including the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania and the Piedmont region of Maryland.
2. Garnet: These red crystals can be found in the metamorphic rocks of New York and Pennsylvania.
3. Celestine: These blue crystals can be found in the western part of New York and Pennsylvania.
4. Sillimanite: This fibrous crystal is the state mineral of Delaware.
5. Herkimer Diamonds: These double-terminated quartz crystals can be found in the Herkimer County area of New York.
6. Fluorite: These colorful crystals can be found in the southern part of New Jersey.

Southeast

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

1. Quartz: Clear and smoky quartz can be found in various locations, including the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and West Virginia.
2. Amethyst: This purple crystal can be found in the northern regions of Georgia and South Carolina.
3. Calcite: These crystals can be found in the limestone deposits of Kentucky and Tennessee.
4. Staurolite: These cross-shaped crystals can be found in the northern part of Georgia.
5. Garnet: These red crystals can be found in the metamorphic rocks of North Carolina.
6. Kyanite: These blue crystals can be found in the central part of Virginia.

Midwest

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

1. Fluorite: Southern Illinois is known for its fluorite deposits, particularly in the Cave-in-Rock area.
2. Quartz: Clear quartz can be found in various locations, including the northern part of Wisconsin and the gravel pits of Minnesota.
3. Agate: These colorful crystals can be found along the Mississippi River in Iowa and the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota.
4. Geodes: These hollow rocks lined with crystals, often quartz or calcite, can be found in the southern part of Indiana.
5. Petoskey Stone: A type of fossilized coral, Petoskey stones can be found along the shores of Lake Michigan.
6. Chlorastrolite: Also known as Isle Royale Greenstone, this crystal can be found in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.

Great Plains

Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

1. Calcite: This crystal can be found in the limestone deposits of Kansas and Nebraska.
2. Agate: These colorful crystals can be found in the gravel deposits along the Missouri River in North Dakota and South Dakota.
3. Quartz: Clear quartz can be found in various locations throughout the Great Plains.
4. Rose Quartz: The state mineral of South Dakota, rose quartz can be found in the Black Hills.
5. Fairburn Agate: These colorful agates can be found in the southwestern part of South Dakota.
6. Prairie Agate: This type of agate can be found in the gravel deposits of western Nebraska.

Southwest

Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

1. Turquoise: This vibrant blue-green stone is often found in the arid regions of Arizona and New Mexico.
2. Quartz: Clear quartz can be found in various locations, including the central part of Texas.
3. Topaz: The state gem of Texas, topaz, can be found in the central part of the state, particularly in Mason County.
4. Selenite: These hourglass-shaped crystals can be found in the Great Salt Plains of Oklahoma¹².
5. Peridot: This green crystal can be found in the basalt flows of the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona.
6. Fluorite: These colorful crystals can be found in the southern part of New Mexico.

Rocky Mountains

Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming

1. Quartz: Clear and smoky quartz can be found in the Pikes Peak area of Colorado and various locations in Idaho.
2. Amazonite: This beautiful green crystal can be found in the Pikes Peak area of Colorado.
3. Sapphire: Montana is known for its sapphires, which can be found in the gravel deposits of the Missouri River.
4. Topaz: Found in the Thomas Range of Utah, these crystals are a delightful find.
5. Jade: Known as the state gemstone, jade can be found in the Granite Mountains of Wyoming.
6. Opal: These colorful crystals can be found in the Owyhee Mountains of Idaho.

Pacific Northwest

Oregon, Washington

1. Quartz: Clear and smoky quartz can be found in the Cascade Mountains of Washington and the high desert of Oregon.
2. Sunstone: This feldspar crystal, known for its aventurescence, can be found in the high desert of Oregon.
3. Thundereggs: These geode-like formations can be found in the central part of Oregon.
4. Jasper: Found in various colors, jasper can be discovered in the coastal and desert regions of both states.
5. Agate: These colorful crystals can be found along the coast and in riverbeds.
6. Obsidian: This volcanic glass can be found in the lava flows of both states.

West

California, Nevada

1. Jasper: Found in various colors, jasper can be discovered in the coastal and desert regions of California.
2. Opal: Known for its vibrant colors, opal can be found in the Virgin Valley area of Nevada.
3. Quartz: Clear quartz can be found in various locations throughout California and Nevada.
4. Benitoite: This rare blue crystal can be found in San Benito County, California.
5. Turquoise: This blue-green stone can be found in the southwestern part of Nevada.
6. Garnet: These red crystals can be found in the metamorphic rocks of both states.

Alaska and Hawaii

Alaska, Hawaii

1. Jade: Alaska’s state gem, jade, can be found in the Kobuk River area.
2. Quartz: Clear quartz can be found in various locations in Alaska.
3. Gold: While not a crystal, gold nuggets can be found in the streams and rivers of Alaska.
4. Olivine: Also known as peridot, this green crystal can be found in the volcanic rocks of Hawaii, especially on the Big Island.
5. Obsidian: This volcanic glass can be found in the lava flows of Hawaii.
6. Coral: While not a crystal, fossilized coral is a unique find in Hawaii.

Happy hiking and crystal hunting! Remember to always respect nature and follow local regulations when collecting crystals.