Long Shoals Creek: Quartz & Pyrite Rockhounding in Ashe County, North Carolina
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 2,800 ft
- Best months
- February to December
Long Shoals Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ashe County, North Carolina. Reported finds include quartz, pyrite, epidote. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Ashe County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Shatley Springs Road
- Postcode
- 28617
- Coordinates
- 36.47895, -81.41170
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
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.
Best time to visit Long Shoals Creek
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, JEFFERSON 2 E station (4 mi away).
Geology at Long Shoals Creek
This spot sits on Ashe Metamorphic Suite and Tallulah Falls Formation; Amphibolite, mapped as amphibolite that formed roughly 1000 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.
- Mapped unit
- Ashe Metamorphic Suite and Tallulah Falls Formation; Amphibolite
- Age
- 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
- Rock types
- amphibolite
- Elevation
- 2,800 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.
Today's weather
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Long Shoals Creek.
Get the appSources & 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.
State guidance last verified:
- North Carolina Geological Survey
- Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
- Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Long Shoals Creek
Each name 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 Long Shoals Creek.
- North Fork New RiverAshe County, North Carolina · 2 mi awayStaurolite
- Helton CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 3 mi awayMagnetite
- Piney CreekAlleghany County, North Carolina · 8 mi awayManganese, Rutile
- South Hardin Mica MineAshe County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayAquamarine, Golden Beryl, Muscovite
- StratfordAlleghany County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayChalcopyrite, Cuprite, Galena
- Horse CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayEpidote, Garnet, Magnetite
- Walnut Knob MineAshe County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayAquamarine
- Flint KnobWilkes County, North Carolina · 20 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Pyrite
Across the state line from Long Shoals Creek
Long Shoals Creek is close enough to the North Carolina border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Mink RidgeGrayson County, Virginia · 10 mi awaySoapstone
- TroutdaleGrayson County, Virginia · 14 mi awayEpidote, Red Jasper, Unakite
- WhitetopGrayson County, Virginia · 15 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Selenite
- New RiverGrayson County, Virginia · 20 mi awayMagnetite
- Elk CreekGrayson County, Virginia · 22 mi awayChalcedony
- MarionSmyth County, Virginia · 22 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Iron
Long Shoals Creek FAQ
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More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 207 North Carolina spots →
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