Cleveland: Sphalerite Rockhounding in Bradley County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Cleveland is a mapped rockhounding spot in Bradley County, Tennessee. Reported finds include sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bradley County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Old Chattanooga Pike Southwest
Postcode: 37311
Coordinates: 35.11244, -84.92133

Geology at Cleveland

This spot sits on Knox Group, including Newala Formation, Mascot Dolomite, Kingsport Formation, Longview Dolomite, Chepultepec Dolomite, and Copper Ridge Dolomite, mapped as dolostone and limestone that formed roughly 540 to 445 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit: Knox Group, including Newala Formation, Mascot Dolomite, Kingsport Formation, Longview Dolomite, Chepultepec Dolomite, and Copper Ridge Dolomite
Age: 540–445 Ma (Cambrian to Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone and limestone
Elevation: 940 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 Cleveland

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 50°F in winter to 89°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CLEVELAND FLTR PLT 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 Cleveland

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

Sphalerite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Cleveland.

Across the state line from Cleveland

Cleveland 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.

Cleveland FAQ

Where is Cleveland?+

Cleveland is in Bradley County, Tennessee, at 35.11244, -84.92133. Nearest road: Old Chattanooga Pike Southwest.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Cleveland?+

Cleveland is reported to produce Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Cleveland?+

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 Cleveland?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Cleveland?+

Cleveland is workable year-round.

How do I get to Cleveland?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.11244, -84.92133 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Old Chattanooga Pike Southwest.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

See all 59 Tennessee spots →

Open Cleveland on the map

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