Where to Find Magnetite in North Carolina
North Carolina has 10 mapped collecting spots that report magnetite, spread across 8 counties. The largest share sits in Ashe County County with 2 spots. 10 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Map of 10 magnetite collecting spots in North Carolina
Best counties for magnetite in North Carolina
Ranked by the number of mapped magnetite spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
- Ashe County2 spots
- Gaston County2 spots
- Alleghany County1 spot
- Forsyth County1 spot
- Iredell County1 spot
- Macon County1 spot
- Rowan County1 spot
- Swain County1 spot
Every magnetite spot we track in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhead MountainArbor Lane | Alleghany County | 36.4574, -81.0302 | Public | |
| Helton CreekWillow Halsey Mtn Road | Ashe County | 36.5207, -81.4101 | Public | |
| Horse CreekCoy Ham Road | Ashe County | 36.5294, -81.6010 | Public | |
| Winston-SalemWaughtown Connector Greenway | Forsyth County | 36.0820, -80.2043 | Public | |
| Clubb MountainAlexis Lucia Road | Gaston County | 35.4014, -81.0817 | Public | |
| Crowder's MountainBackside Trail | Gaston County | 35.2326, -81.2749 | Public | |
| CatawbaWest Lewis Ferry Road | Iredell County | 35.7121, -80.9919 | Public | |
| Higdon MountainForest Drive | Macon County |
| 35.1484, -83.2907 | Public |
| Gold HillSaint Stephens Church Road | Rowan County | 35.5128, -80.3437 | Public | |
| Bryson CityEast Deep Creek Road | Swain County | 35.4436, -83.4402 | Public |
Before you go
Read the magnetite identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Magnetite in the encyclopedia.
Magnetite in North Carolina FAQ
Where can you find magnetite in North Carolina?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Ashe County County, Gaston County County, and Alleghany County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many magnetite spots are mapped in North Carolina?+
10 spots across 8 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect magnetite in North Carolina?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 10 of the 10 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find magnetite
More minerals to hunt in North Carolina
Hunt magnetite in North Carolina with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
