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Ingalls: Garnet Rockhounding in Avery County, North Carolina

Updated June 2026

Ingalls is a mapped rockhounding spot in Avery County, North Carolina. Reported finds include garnet. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Map showing Ingalls in Avery County, North Carolina

Quick details

Access
Public area
Nearest road
Gusher Knob Road

Geology at Ingalls

This spot sits on Quartz Diorite to Granodiorite, mapped as granodiorite and quartz diorite that formed roughly 395 to 390 million years ago. Garnet and similar hard minerals typically weather out of rock like this and concentrate as resistant grains in nearby soils and creek gravels.

Mapped unit
Quartz Diorite to Granodiorite
Age
395–390 Ma (Middle Devonian)
Rock types
granodiorite and quartz diorite
Elevation
2,940 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 Ingalls

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SPRUCE PINE 4 ENE station (3 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.

State guidance last verified:

Found at Ingalls

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 Ingalls.

Across the state line from Ingalls

Ingalls 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.

Ingalls FAQ

Where is Ingalls?+
Ingalls is in Avery County, North Carolina, at 35.98098, -82.00150. Nearest road: Gusher Knob Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Ingalls?+
Ingalls is reported to produce Garnet.
Is collecting allowed at Ingalls?+
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 Ingalls?+
A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.
When is the best time to visit Ingalls?+
The most comfortable months at Ingalls are February to December.
How do I get to Ingalls?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 35.98098, -82.00150 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gusher Knob Road.

More rockhounding in North Carolina

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