Where to Find Vermiculite in the United States
4 mapped vermiculite spots across 3 U.S. states. Vermiculite is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Map showing where to find vermiculite across the United States, with 4 mapped spots
Top states for vermiculite
States ranked by number of vermiculite spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused vermiculite-in-state list.
Every vermiculite spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HillsboroState Highway 11 South | Jasper County |
| 33.1796, -83.6409 | Public |
| LibbyNational Forest Development Road 618 | Lincoln County | 48.3039, -115.5964 | Public | |
| DemocratBig Ivy Drive | Buncombe County |
| 35.7865, -82.5007 | Public |
| Little Scaly MountainLittle Scaly Mountain Road | Macon County |
| 35.0320, -83.2548 | Public |
Vermiculite rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find vermiculite in the U.S.?+
North Carolina, Georgia, Montana have the highest concentrations of vermiculite in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many vermiculite rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
4 mapped spots across 3 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect vermiculite on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like vermiculite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify vermiculite in the field?+
Field identification of vermiculite comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt vermiculite on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
