Donalds: Amethyst Rockhounding in Greenwood County, South Carolina

Updated June 2026

Donalds is a mapped rockhounding spot in Greenwood County, South Carolina. Reported finds include amethyst. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Greenwood County
State: South Carolina
Nearest road: US 178
Postcode: 29653
Coordinates: 34.34081, -82.28974

Geology at Donalds

This spot sits on Reedy River complex, mapped as gneiss that formed roughly 540 to 250 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: Reedy River complex
Age: 540–250 Ma (Paleozoic)
Rock types: gneiss
Elevation: 710 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 Donalds

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 53°F in winter to 90°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GREENWOOD CO AP 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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Donalds

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

Amethyst Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Donalds.

Across the state line from Donalds

Donalds is close enough to the South Carolina border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Donalds FAQ

Where is Donalds?+

Donalds is in Greenwood County, South Carolina, at 34.34081, -82.28974. Nearest road: US 178.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Donalds?+

Donalds is reported to produce Amethyst.

Is collecting allowed at Donalds?+

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 Donalds?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Donalds?+

Donalds is workable year-round.

How do I get to Donalds?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.34081, -82.28974 in Google Maps. The nearest road is US 178.

More rockhounding in South Carolina

See all 49 South Carolina spots →

Open Donalds on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.