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Rockhounding in North Carolina

198 mapped spots across 56 counties. North Carolina has the deepest gem-mining tradition on the East Coast. Hiddenite emeralds, Cowee Valley rubies and sapphires, Spruce Pine pegmatites, and a long list of fee-dig mines pull rockhounds and gem hunters from across the country.

Map showing 198 rockhounding spots in North Carolina

Top minerals found in North Carolina

Counts reflect how many spots in this list mention each mineral.

Notable areas: Hiddenite emeralds, Cowee Valley corundum, Spruce Pine quartz and aquamarine, and emerald, garnet, and beryl pegmatites are highlights.

Rockhounding by county in North Carolina

County pages are linked once we have at least 3 mapped spots for a focused guide with coordinates, mineral notes, and nearby spots.

Every rockhounding spot in North Carolina

Sorted by county. Tap coordinates to open in Google Maps, or open RockHoundR for the full map view with land overlays and weather.

SpotCountyMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Alamance CountyQuail DriveAlamance County36.0252, -79.4327Public
BurlingtonBurch Bridge RoadAlamance County36.1212, -79.4548Public
Davis MountainAlexander County36.0116, -81.2418Public
EllendaleLambert Creek LaneAlexander County35.9445, -81.2448Public
Emerald Hollow MineEmerald Hollow Mine DriveAlexander County35.9137, -81.0829Public
HiddeniteRiverside Farm LaneAlexander County35.9102, -81.0677Public
Hiddenite (area 2)Duncan LaneAlexander County35.9136, -81.0740Public
Stony PointLinker LaneAlexander County35.8896, -81.0380Public
Yadkin RiverRevenuer Ridge LaneAlexander County35.9345, -81.0699Public
Bullhead MountainArbor LaneAlleghany County36.4574, -81.0302Public
Piney CreekNC 93Alleghany County36.5560, -81.2943Public
StratfordWalnut Branch Church RoadAlleghany County36.5189, -81.2207Public
Anson CountyWhite Store RoadAnson County34.9570, -80.1227Public
Pee Dee RiverAnson County35.1071, -80.0563Public
WadesboroMoore's Lake RoadAnson County34.9356, -80.0594Public
Helton CreekWillow Halsey Mtn RoadAshe County36.5207, -81.4101Public
Horse CreekCoy Ham RoadAshe County36.5294, -81.6010Public
Long Shoals CreekShatley Springs RoadAshe County36.4789, -81.4117Public
North Fork New RiverBeau Rivage DriveAshe County36.5047, -81.3857Public
South Hardin Mica MineInspiration WayAshe County36.3705, -81.5067Public
Walnut Knob MineWhispering Breeze RidgeAshe County36.3281, -81.6082Public
CranberryTrilium Creek RunAvery County36.1346, -81.9826Public
Grandmother MountainGrandmother Mountain LaneAvery County36.0632, -81.8432Public
IngallsGusher Knob RoadAvery County35.9810, -82.0015Public
PlumtreeMud Puppy Rock LaneAvery County36.0318, -82.0110Public
SpearGusher Knob RoadAvery County35.9822, -82.0007Public
Cane CreekLower Brush Creek RoadBuncombe County35.4715, -82.4476Public
Craggy Gardens Picnic SiteCraggy Gardens TrailBuncombe County35.7059, -82.3875Public
DemocratBig Ivy DriveBuncombe County35.7865, -82.5007Public
Lookout MountainEast Ridge TrailBuncombe County35.6377, -82.2878Public
Reems CreekReems Creek RoadBuncombe County35.6918, -82.5110Public
RidgecrestTucker RoadBuncombe County35.6138, -82.2813Public
Brown MountainTrail 1Burke County35.9260, -81.7606Public
Burkemont MountainBurkemont RoadBurke County35.6542, -81.7074Public
Hall Creek and Silver CreekLor RoadBurke County35.6357, -81.8257Public
High PeakHigh Peak Mountain RoadBurke County35.7237, -81.6087Public
Linville MountainOld NC 105Burke County35.8822, -81.9067Public
South MountainsBurke County35.5973, -81.6946Public
Wiseman's ViewWiseman's ViewBurke County35.9035, -81.9050Public
ConcordShadowcrest Drive SouthwestCabarrus County35.3619, -80.6279Public
Reed Gold MineReed Mine RoadCabarrus County35.2852, -80.4665Public
CollettsvilleNC 90Caldwell County35.9533, -81.6774Public
Hibriten MountainHibriten Mountain Trail and Service RoadCaldwell County35.9041, -81.4886Public
Yadkin ValleyCove Branch RoadCaldwell County36.0434, -81.5147Public
Caswell CountyPage RoadCaswell County36.4310, -79.3772Public
DenverCobblefield LaneCatawba County35.5510, -81.0154Public
Emerald Hollow MineClarence StreetCatawba County35.6720, -81.1089Paid / fee
MooresvilleIsland Point RoadCatawba County35.6210, -80.9530Public
MontvaleIndian Creek LaneChatham County35.8149, -78.9372Public
PittsboroNC 87 NorthChatham County35.7403, -79.2016Public
BrasstownEast US 64Cherokee County35.0742, -83.9965Public
Hanging Dog and Persimmon CreeksBoiling Springs RoadCherokee County
  • Staurolites
35.2106, -83.9988Public
Hanging Dog CreekBoiling Springs RoadCherokee County35.2105, -83.9936Public
Hyatt CreekHyatt Creek RoadCherokee County35.1965, -83.9361Public
Little Snowbird MountainsFS 304Cherokee County35.2367, -83.8703Public
MarbleKinnins Cove LaneCherokee County35.1672, -83.9257Public
UnakaBeaver Dam LoopCherokee County35.1839, -84.1541Public
Vengeance CreekFS 6148Cherokee County35.1490, -83.8886Public
Chunky Gal MountainBuck Creek TrailClay County35.0362, -83.5730Public
ElfCottage CourtClay County35.0269, -83.7381Public
ElfElf Shore CoveClay County35.0235, -83.7480Public
Meyer’s Chapel & General AreaMyers Chapel RoadClay County35.0016, -83.8066Public
Shooting CreekOld Hwy 64 EastClay County
  • Hyalite Opal Geodes
35.0231, -83.6751Public
Broad River and tributariesEllis Ferry RoadCleveland County35.1908, -81.6228Public
CasarGolden Valley RoadCleveland County35.5120, -81.6531Public
EarlRoseborough RoadCleveland County35.1920, -81.5069Public
Foote Mine and other minesKings Mountain Gateway TrailCleveland County35.2111, -81.3556Public
GroverMargrace RoadCleveland County35.2008, -81.4021Public
Kings MountainMajesty PlaceCleveland County35.2457, -81.3880Public
LattimoreMount Harmony Church RoadCleveland County35.4657, -81.6823Public
ShelbySouth Lafayette StreetCleveland County35.2453, -81.5652Public
Stice Shoal Lake DamPowerhouse RoadCleveland County35.3987, -81.5460Public
Cape Fear River and tributariesHijackedCumberland County35.1012, -78.8569Public
Cumberland CountyFreedom LaneCumberland County34.9592, -78.9394Public
Conrad Hill Mine near LexingtonConrad Hill Mine RoadDavidson County35.7848, -80.1653Public
Davidson CountySilver Hill RoadDavidson County35.7057, -80.1995Public
TyroDavidson County35.7921, -80.3724Public
FarmingtonRedfield RoadDavie County36.0458, -80.5083Public
BethesdaJones CircleDurham County35.9587, -78.8474Public
ButnerOld Oxford RoadDurham County36.1270, -78.8245Public
Eno RiverFalls Lake TrailDurham County36.0719, -78.8576Public
KernersvilleBarrister CourtForsyth County36.1459, -80.0960Public
Winston-SalemWaughtown Connector GreenwayForsyth County36.0820, -80.2043Public
HilliardstonRex PlaceFranklin County36.0838, -78.2917Public
Nash & Franklin CountiesNC 561Franklin County36.1956, -78.0135Public
Beaverdam CreekHephzibah Church RoadGaston County35.3864, -81.2865Public
Clubb MountainAlexis Lucia RoadGaston County35.4014, -81.0817Public
Crowder's MountainBackside TrailGaston County35.2326, -81.2749Public
BullockGranville County36.4700, -78.5157Public
BullockGranville County36.5074, -78.5264Public
CreedmoreGranville County36.2075, -78.6571Public
Granville CountyGranville County36.3163, -78.6515Public
PocomokeSuitts Store RoadGranville County36.1108, -78.5416Public
GibsonvilleCone Club RoadGuilford County36.0946, -79.5660Public
Superior Stone CompanyAgate RoadGuilford County36.1162, -79.6180Public
Halifax CountyNC 481Halifax County36.2199, -77.5764Public
Medoc Mountain State ParkSummit Loop TrailHalifax County36.2562, -77.8821Public
Mount PisgahMount Pisgah TrailHaywood County
  • Chrysoprase
35.4227, -82.7500Public
Newfound GapNewfound RoadHaywood County35.5748, -82.7717Public
Pressley MinePressley Mine RoadHaywood County35.5722, -82.8126Public
Pressley MinePressley Mine RoadHaywood County35.5729, -82.8127Public
Roberson RidgeRocky Branch RoadHaywood County35.4150, -82.9962Public
Shinning Rock LedgeShining Creek TrailHaywood County35.3634, -82.8631Public
Bat CaveMinihaha DriveHenderson County35.4685, -82.2886Public
Elijah Mountain Gem MineBrevard RoadHenderson County35.3244, -82.5034Public
Lake SummitSouth Lake Summit RoadHenderson County35.2220, -82.4300Public
CatawbaWest Lewis Ferry RoadIredell County35.7121, -80.9919Public
Fox MountainFox Mountain RoadIredell County35.9978, -81.0001Public
South Yadkin RiverLespedeza LaneIredell County35.9127, -80.8071Public
StatesvilleIredell County35.7292, -80.8815Public
Balsam Gap MineDark Ridge RoadJackson County35.4240, -83.0985Public
Rockhound Ridge Gem MineUS 23;US 441;US 64 TruckJackson County
    		35.2778, -83.2884Paid / fee
    Sapphire LakeSmoky Waters DriveJackson County35.1060, -83.0197Public
    TuckasegeeAlmanac LaneJackson County35.2753, -83.0935Public
    AlexisMount Zion Church RoadLincoln County35.4107, -81.0886Public
    Iron StationNC 73Lincoln County35.4691, -81.1178Public
    Lincoln CountyHershel Lackey RoadLincoln County35.4717, -81.2712Public
    Burningtown CreekLower Burnington RoadMacon County
    • Pink Sapphire
    		35.2450, -83.4692Public
    Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire MineCrestview HeightsMacon County35.1700, -83.3800Paid / fee
    Cherokee Ruby and Sapphire MineRuby Mine RoadMacon County35.2729, -83.3517Public
    Chestnut KnobJarrett Creek RoadMacon County
    • White Star Corundum
    		35.1453, -83.6086Public
    Clay CountyPoplar Cove RoadMacon County35.1305, -83.5071Public
    Corundum HillMount Laurel RoadMacon County35.1500, -83.2883Public
    Cowee CreekSheffield Farms RoadMacon County35.2721, -83.3936Public
    FranklinLyle Mill RoadMacon County35.2261, -83.3606Public
    Higdon MountainForest DriveMacon County35.1484, -83.2907Public
    HighlandsMunger RoadMacon County35.0482, -83.2108Public
    Little Scaly MountainLittle Scaly Mountain RoadMacon County35.0320, -83.2548Public
    Mason MountainBuck Mountain RoadMacon County35.2470, -83.3617Public
    OttoGeorgia RoadMacon County35.0668, -83.3877Public
    Sheep Knob MountainMacon County35.2786, -83.3736Public
    Ivy CreekSerenity on the Ivy LaneMadison County35.7828, -82.6073Public
    Lemon GapBuckeye Ridge TrailMadison County35.7929, -82.9506Public
    Little Pine Garnet MineCaney Fork RoadMadison County35.7625, -82.7242Public
    Roaring Fork CreekAppalachian TrailMadison County35.8169, -82.9340Public
    McDowell CountyHidden View LoopMcDowell County35.6818, -82.0715Public
    NeboHoneycutt LaneMcDowell County35.7057, -81.9485Public
    South Muddy CreekFalling Creek DriveMcDowell County35.6056, -81.8714Public
    WoodlawnGrace Greenlee RoadMcDowell County
    • Phantom Quartz
    		35.7952, -82.0419Public
    CaldwellBailey RoadMecklenburg County35.4655, -80.8270Public
    CharlotteEast Trade StreetMecklenburg County35.2249, -80.8396Public
    Crabtree Emerald MineEmerald Mine RoadMitchell County35.8743, -82.1205Public
    Deer Park MineDeer Park Lake RoadMitchell County35.9330, -82.1050Public
    Emerald VillageMcKinney Mine RoadMitchell County
      		35.8466, -82.1265Paid / fee
      Mitchell CountyNC 261Mitchell County36.0555, -82.1350Public
      PenlandSouth NC Highway 226Mitchell County35.9550, -82.1071Public
      Roan MountainRoan DriveMitchell County36.1013, -82.1096Public
      Sink Hole Mine and other area minesNC 80Mitchell County35.9757, -82.1766Public
      Spruce PineBrights TraceMitchell County35.9193, -81.9994Public
      Black Ankle MineWilliamson RoadMontgomery County35.4914, -79.8104Public
      EldoradoCoggins Mine RoadMontgomery County35.4824, -80.0228Public
      Montgomery CountyMt Carmel Church RoadMontgomery County35.3472, -79.9739Public
      TroyMontgomery County35.3681, -79.8395Public
      Cabin Creek & Dry CreekGurney West RoadMoore County35.4183, -79.6271Public
      LouisburgRed Bud RoadNash County36.1110, -78.0075Public
      Chapel HillBolin Creek TrailOrange County35.9248, -79.0453Public
      HillsboroughBen Johnston RoadOrange County36.0713, -79.1314Public
      Hager's MountainPerson County36.4626, -78.9721Public
      MoriaHelena-Moriah RoadPerson County36.2714, -78.8825Public
      Mt. TirzahSurl-Mount Tirzah RoadPerson County36.2819, -78.9070Public
      FarmerFarmer Denton RoadRandolph County35.6603, -80.0103Public
      EllberleNC 73Richmond County35.0963, -79.7697Public
      Gold HillSaint Stephens Church RoadRowan County35.5128, -80.3437Public
      Mount UllaBack Creek Church RoadRowan County35.6529, -80.7135Public
      SalisburyForest DriveRowan County35.6683, -80.5330Public
      Hollands CreekRidgeway DriveRutherford County35.3872, -81.9385Public
      Huckleberry MountainOld CC RoadRutherford County35.5590, -81.7250Public
      Marlin KnobRutherford County35.5082, -81.8413Public
      Sandy Level ChurchMamie Hamilton RoadRutherford County35.4486, -81.8581Public
      Thermal CityCandy Rock RoadRutherford County35.5253, -81.9867Public
      Big CreekLynchburg RoadStokes County36.4500, -80.2901Public
      DanburySheppard Mill RoadStokes County36.4083, -80.2000Public
      BurchCockerham RoadSurry County36.2785, -80.7418Public
      Mitchell RiverDouglas RoadSurry County36.3311, -80.8151Public
      Mount AiryGranite Quarry TrailSurry County36.5071, -80.5849Public
      Pilot MountainPilot Knob TrailSurry County36.3407, -80.4745Public
      Poplar SpringsNoah Hayes RoadSurry County36.3164, -80.8336Public
      White PlainsSurry County36.4549, -80.6003Public
      Bryson CityEast Deep Creek RoadSwain County35.4436, -83.4402Public
      Looking Glass FallsPisgah HighwayTransylvania County35.2963, -82.7682Public
      Pink Beds Picnic AreaPink Beds Loop TrailTransylvania County35.3519, -82.7759Public
      RosmanNorth Parkhollow LaneTransylvania County
      • Dogtooth Calcite
      		35.1839, -82.8241Public
      Henderson PointDeer Tick LaneVance County36.5417, -78.3563Public
      Island CreekTungsten Mine RoadVance County36.5050, -78.4765Public
      Nutbrush CreekNightingale LaneVance County36.3727, -78.4063Public
      TownsvillVance County36.4927, -78.4473Public
      WilliamsboroVance County36.4392, -78.4557Public
      Neuse RiverNeuse River TrailWake County35.7966, -78.5424Public
      RaleighLake Johnson TrailWake County35.7673, -78.7222Public
      InezHugh Jones RoadWarren County36.2097, -78.0934Public
      Blowing RockWadkins RoadWatauga County36.1451, -81.6768Public
      Flint KnobWilkes County36.1853, -81.4496Public
      TraphillTraphill Mill RoadWilkes County36.3356, -81.0321Public
      WilkesboroState Road 1174Wilkes County36.1042, -81.1881Public
      Yadkin CountyShore RoadYadkin County36.1674, -80.6743Public
      BurnsvilleRay Mine TrailYancey County35.8883, -82.2747Public
      Celo RidgeUpper Brown's Creek RoadYancey County35.8640, -82.2253Public
      North Toe RiverLower Doe Bag RoadYancey County35.9533, -82.1974Public

      North Carolina rockhounding FAQ

      Is rockhounding legal in North Carolina?+
      Casual hand collecting is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in North Carolina, with daily and annual limits set by the managing field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal lands are off-limits. Always confirm rules with the local agency before a trip.
      What rocks and minerals can you find in North Carolina?+
      North Carolina spots in this list most commonly produce Quartz, Garnet, Amethyst, Gold, Corundum. The full list across all spots is broader.
      How many rockhounding sites are in North Carolina?+
      RockHoundR currently lists 198 rockhounding spots in North Carolina across 56 counties. Many more exist; the app keeps your private finds saved alongside the public ones.
      Can I take rocks home from North Carolina public land?+
      On most BLM and Forest Service land, recreational hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed in reasonable amounts. Vertebrate fossils, archaeological items, and posted mining-claim minerals are not. Check the field office for current limits.

      Map every North Carolina spot in the app

      Open the RockHoundR app to see North Carolina on a real map with public land overlays, weather, geology, and your saved finds.

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