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Reed Gold Mine: Gold Prospecting in Cabarrus County, North Carolina

Updated June 2026

Reed Gold Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Reported finds include azurite, gold, malachite, quartz, scheelite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Map showing Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County, North Carolina

Quick details

Access
Public area
Nearest road
Reed Mine Road
Postcode
28107

Geology at Reed Gold Mine

This spot sits on Phyllite and Schist, mapped as phyllite and schist that formed roughly 1000 to 485 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
Phyllite and Schist
Age
1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)
Rock types
phyllite and schist
Elevation
550 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 Reed Gold Mine

Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 53°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 29°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CONCORD station (10 mi away).

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 Reed Gold Mine

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 Reed Gold Mine.

Across the state line from Reed Gold Mine

Reed Gold Mine 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.

Reed Gold Mine FAQ

Where is Reed Gold Mine?+
Reed Gold Mine is in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, at 35.28520, -80.46653. Nearest road: Reed Mine Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Reed Gold Mine?+
Reed Gold Mine is reported to produce Azurite, Gold, Malachite, Quartz, Scheelite, Sphalerite, Siderite, Cuprite, Barite, Galena.
Is collecting allowed at Reed Gold Mine?+
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 Reed Gold Mine?+
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 Reed Gold Mine?+
The most comfortable months at Reed Gold Mine are August to June.
How do I get to Reed Gold Mine?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 35.28520, -80.46653 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Reed Mine Road.

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