Montvale Springs: Gold Prospecting in Blount County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Montvale Springs is a mapped rockhounding spot in Blount County, Tennessee. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Blount County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Montvale Road
Postcode: 37803
Coordinates: 35.63954, -83.96683

Geology at Montvale Springs

This spot sits on Greasy Cove Formation and Grainger Formation, mapped as shale that formed roughly 360 to 325 million years ago. In sedimentary country like this, any placer gold is typically recycled from older gravels, concentrating again in modern stream beds.

Mapped unit: Greasy Cove Formation and Grainger Formation
Age: 360–325 Ma (Mississippian)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 1,180 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 Montvale Springs

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 50°F in winter to 84°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TOWNSEND 5S station (11 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.

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

Found at Montvale Springs

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

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Montvale Springs.

Across the state line from Montvale Springs

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

Montvale Springs FAQ

Where is Montvale Springs?+

Montvale Springs is in Blount County, Tennessee, at 35.63954, -83.96683. Nearest road: Montvale Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Montvale Springs?+

Montvale Springs is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Montvale Springs?+

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 Montvale Springs?+

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 Montvale Springs?+

Montvale Springs is workable year-round.

How do I get to Montvale Springs?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.63954, -83.96683 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Montvale Road.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

See all 59 Tennessee spots →

Open Montvale Springs on the map

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