Where to Find Agate in North Carolina
13 mapped agate rockhounding spots in North Carolina, across 12 counties. Agate is one of the most popular rockhounding targets in the United States. North Carolina has the deepest gem-mining tradition on the East Coast.
Map of 13 agate rockhounding spots in North Carolina
Agate by county in North Carolina
Counties ranked by number of agate spots in our database.
Every agate spot in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConcordShadowcrest Drive Southwest | Cabarrus County | 35.3619, -80.6279 | Public | |
| MooresvilleIsland Point Road | Catawba County | 35.6210, -80.9530 | Public | |
| UnakaBeaver Dam Loop | Cherokee County | 35.1839, -84.1541 | Public | |
| CasarGolden Valley Road | Cleveland County | 35.5120, -81.6531 | Public | |
| Cape Fear River and tributariesHijacked | Cumberland County | 35.1012, -78.8569 | Public | |
| Cumberland CountyFreedom Lane | Cumberland County | 34.9592, -78.9394 | Public | |
| ButnerOld Oxford Road | Durham County | 36.1270, -78.8245 | Public | |
| Creedmore | Granville County | 36.2075, -78.6571 | Public | |
| Lake SummitSouth Lake Summit Road | Henderson County | 35.2220, -82.4300 | Public | |
| Statesville | Iredell County | 35.7292, -80.8815 | Public | |
| CaldwellBailey Road | Mecklenburg County | 35.4655, -80.8270 | Public | |
| Mitchell CountyNC 261 | Mitchell County | 36.0555, -82.1350 | Public | |
| DanburySheppard Mill Road | Stokes County | 36.4083, -80.2000 | Public |
Agate in North Carolina FAQ
Where can I find agate in North Carolina?+
RockHoundR tracks 13 agate spots in North Carolina, spread across 12 counties. The strongest concentration is in Cumberland County.
Is collecting agate legal in North Carolina?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like agate is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in North Carolina, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best agate location in North Carolina?+
Cumberland County has the most agate spots in our database for North Carolina. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for agate
Other minerals to find in North Carolina
- Quartz in North Carolina54
- Garnet in North Carolina43
- Amethyst in North Carolina20
- Gold in North Carolina20
- Corundum in North Carolina18
- Rutile in North Carolina17
- Beryl in North Carolina14
- Kyanite in North Carolina14
- Sapphire in North Carolina14
- Tourmaline in North Carolina14
- Aquamarine in North Carolina13
- Pyrite in North Carolina13
Hunt agate in North Carolina on the map
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