Raleigh: Amethyst Rockhounding in Wake County, North Carolina

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Wake County

State

North Carolina

Nearest road

Lake Johnson Trail

Postcode

27606

Coordinates

35.76731, -78.72216

Geology at Raleigh

This spot sits on Felsic Mica Gneiss, mapped as gneiss and mica schist 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

Felsic Mica Gneiss

Age

1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)

Rock types

gneiss and mica schist

Elevation

370 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 Raleigh

Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 52°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RALEIGH STATE UNIV station (2 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: April 1, 2026

• North Carolina Geological Survey
• Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
• Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
• Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Raleigh

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

• AmethystEncyclopedia →