Rockhounding.org

Meteorites Found in New York: 11 Documented

New York has 11 officially recognized meteorites4 witnessed falls and 7 finds. The largest, Burlington, weighed 68 kg.

NameClassificationMassFell / FoundYear
BurlingtonIron, IIIE68 kgFound1819
CambriaIron, ungrouped16.3 kgFound1818
PeekskillH612.6 kgFell1992
South ByronIron, ungrouped6 kgFound1915
Seneca FallsIron, IIIAB4 kgFound1850
Tomhannock CreekH51.5 kgFound1863
Lasher CreekIron640 gFound1948
SchenectadyH5283 gFell1968
Yorktown (New York)L5250 gFell1869
BethlehemH613.9 gFell1859
Mount Morris (New York)H12.5 gFound1897

Frequently Asked Questions

How many meteorites have been found in New York?

11 meteorites from New York are officially recognized in the scientific record — 4 witnessed falls and 7 finds. The largest is Burlington at 68 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in New York?

On BLM-managed public land, casual collecting is legal without a permit: surface finds, up to 10 lb per person per year, personal use only. National parks prohibit all collecting, and on private land the meteorite belongs to the landowner. Always verify land status before hunting.

How do I know if a rock is a meteorite?

Quick field checks: meteorites are unusually dense, most attract a magnet (iron-nickel content), fresh ones have a thin black fusion crust, and many show regmaglypts (thumbprint-like depressions). Slag and magnetite are the common false alarms.

⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.

Coordinates are historical find locations from the scientific record, often approximate — not guaranteed collecting spots; verify land status and permissions before hunting. Source of record: Meteoritical Bulletin Database (Meteoritical Society).