Straight Creek Mines: Galena & Sphalerite Rockhounding in Claiborne County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Straight Creek Mines is a mapped rockhounding spot in Claiborne County, Tennessee. Reported finds include galena, sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Claiborne County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Straight Creek Road
Postcode: 37879
Coordinates: 36.38916, -83.64265

Geology at Straight Creek Mines

This spot sits on Copper Ridge Dolomite, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 540 to 485 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: Copper Ridge Dolomite
Age: 540–485 Ma (Cambrian)
Rock types: dolostone
Elevation: 1,170 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 Straight Creek Mines

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 45°F in winter to 85°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TAZEWELL station (7 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 Straight Creek Mines

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 Straight Creek Mines.

Across the state line from Straight Creek Mines

Straight Creek Mines 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.

Straight Creek Mines FAQ

Where is Straight Creek Mines?+

Straight Creek Mines is in Claiborne County, Tennessee, at 36.38916, -83.64265. Nearest road: Straight Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Straight Creek Mines?+

Straight Creek Mines is reported to produce Galena, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Straight Creek Mines?+

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 Straight Creek Mines?+

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 Straight Creek Mines?+

Straight Creek Mines is workable year-round.

How do I get to Straight Creek Mines?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.38916, -83.64265 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Straight Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

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Open Straight Creek Mines on the map

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