Broad River and tributaries: Quartz Rockhounding in Cleveland County, North Carolina
Updated June 2026
Broad River and tributaries is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Reported finds include quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Broad River and tributaries in Cleveland County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Cleveland County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Ellis Ferry Road
- Coordinates
- 35.19075, -81.62284
Geology at Broad River and tributaries
This spot sits on Biotite Gneiss and Schist, mapped as biotite gneiss, mica schist, and calc silicate rock that formed roughly 1000 to 485 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
- Biotite Gneiss and Schist
- Age
- 1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)
- Rock types
- biotite gneiss, mica schist, and calc silicate rock
- Elevation
- 610 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 Broad River and tributaries
Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 53°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 28°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SHELBY 2 NW station (9 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:
- North Carolina Geological Survey
- Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
- Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Broad River and tributaries
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 Broad River and tributaries.
- ShelbyCleveland County, North Carolina · 5 mi awayBeryl, Aquamarine, Emerald
- EarlCleveland County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayAquamarine, Garnet
- GroverCleveland County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayAquamarine
- Kings MountainCleveland County, North Carolina · 14 mi awayDiamond
- Stice Shoal Lake DamCleveland County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayAquamarine, Beryl, Emerald
- Foote Mine and other minesCleveland County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayApatite, Beryl, Calcite
- LattimoreCleveland County, North Carolina · 19 mi awayQuartz, Black Tourmaline, Beryl
- Crowder's MountainGaston County, North Carolina · 20 mi awayBarite, Chalcopyrite, Corundum
Across the state line from Broad River and tributaries
Broad River and tributaries 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.
- Bowens River and tributariesTop pick in South CarolinaCherokee County, South Carolina · 3 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Sapphire
- Cherokee CountyCherokee County, South Carolina · 7 mi awayBarite, Hematite, Kyanite
- GaffneyCherokee County, South Carolina · 9 mi awayCassiterite, Feldspar, Kyanite
- King's CreekCherokee County, South Carolina · 12 mi awayBarite, Chalcopyrite, Galena
- SmyrnaYork County, South Carolina · 16 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Gold Nugget
- Hickory GroveYork County, South Carolina · 19 mi awayAndalusite, Kyanite, Lazulite
Broad River and tributaries FAQ
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More rockhounding in North Carolina
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