Where to Find Smoky Quartz in North Carolina
North Carolina has 9 mapped collecting spots that report smoky quartz, spread across 7 counties. The largest share sits in Alexander County County with 3 spots. 9 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Map of 9 smoky quartz collecting spots in North Carolina
Best counties for smoky quartz in North Carolina
Ranked by the number of mapped smoky quartz spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Every smoky quartz spot we track in North Carolina
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Hollow MineEmerald Hollow Mine Drive | Alexander County |
| 35.9137, -81.0829 | Public |
| HiddeniteRiverside Farm Lane | Alexander County |
| 35.9102, -81.0677 | Public |
| Yadkin RiverRevenuer Ridge Lane | Alexander County | 35.9345, -81.0699 | Public | |
| UnakaBeaver Dam Loop | Cherokee County |
| 35.1839, -84.1541 | Public |
| Stice Shoal Lake DamPowerhouse Road | Cleveland County | 35.3987, -81.5460 | Public | |
| Montgomery CountyMt Carmel Church Road | Montgomery County | 35.3472, -79.9739 | Public | |
| Big CreekLynchburg Road | Stokes County | 36.4500, -80.2901 | Public | |
| Pink Beds Picnic AreaPink Beds Loop Trail | Transylvania County | 35.3519, -82.7759 | Public | |
| InezHugh Jones Road | Warren County | 36.2097, -78.0934 | Public |
Before you go
Read the smoky quartz identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Smoky Quartz in the encyclopedia.
Smoky Quartz in North Carolina FAQ
Where can you find smoky quartz in North Carolina?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Alexander County County, Cherokee County County, and Cleveland County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many smoky quartz spots are mapped in North Carolina?+
9 spots across 7 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 smoky quartz 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. 9 of the 9 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find smoky quartz
More minerals to hunt in North Carolina
Hunt smoky quartz 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.
