Turkey Hill: Gold Prospecting in Lumpkin County, Georgia

Updated June 2026

Turkey Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lumpkin County, Georgia. Reported finds include garnet, gold, ruby, staurolite, tourmaline, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lumpkin County
State: Georgia
Nearest road: Turkey Hill
Postcode: 03533
Coordinates: 34.48975, -83.98774

Geology at Turkey Hill

This spot sits on Mica Schist/ Amphibolite, mapped as mica schist and amphibolite that formed roughly 4600 to 250 million years ago. Gold in metamorphic belts like this is typically tied to quartz veins and shear zones, with placer color in the creeks that cut them.

Mapped unit: Mica Schist/ Amphibolite
Age: 4600–250 Ma (Precambrian to Paleozoic)
Rock types: mica schist and amphibolite
Elevation: 1,260 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Turkey Hill

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 51°F in winter to 87°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CLEVELAND station (14 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Turkey Hill

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Turkey Hill.

Across the state line from Turkey Hill

Turkey Hill is close enough to the Georgia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Turkey Hill FAQ

Where is Turkey Hill?+

Turkey Hill is in Lumpkin County, Georgia, at 34.48975, -83.98774. Nearest road: Turkey Hill.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Turkey Hill?+

Turkey Hill is reported to produce Garnet, Gold, Ruby, Staurolite, Tourmaline, Zircon.

Is collecting allowed at Turkey Hill?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Turkey Hill?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Turkey Hill?+

Turkey Hill is workable year-round.

How do I get to Turkey Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.48975, -83.98774 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Turkey Hill.

More rockhounding in Georgia

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Open Turkey Hill on the map

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