Del Rio: Unakite Rockhounding in Cocke County, Tennessee
Updated June 2026
Del Rio is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cocke County, Tennessee. Reported finds include unakite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Del Rio in Cocke County, Tennessee
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Cocke County
- State
- Tennessee
- Nearest road
- Old Fifteenth Road
- Postcode
- 37727
- Coordinates
- 35.90941, -83.04515
Geology at Del Rio
This spot sits on Sandsuck Formation, mapped as shale that formed roughly 4600 to 540 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.
- Mapped unit
- Sandsuck Formation
- Age
- 4600–540 Ma (Precambrian)
- Rock types
- shale
- Elevation
- 1,220 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 Del Rio
Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 87°F in summer.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WATERVILLE 2 station (10 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 Del Rio
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 Del Rio.
- Del RioCocke County, Tennessee · 2 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Celestite
- Big CreekTop pick in TennesseeCocke County, Tennessee · 6 mi awayGreen Quartz
- Rag MountainCocke County, Tennessee · 7 mi awayUnakite
- Mine RidgeCocke County, Tennessee · 7 mi awayCopper, Iron, Lead
- Nun's CoveSevier County, Tennessee · 21 mi awayCalcite, Chert, Barite
- GreenevilleGreene County, Tennessee · 21 mi awaySphalerite
- RussellvilleHamblen County, Tennessee · 25 mi awayGeode
- Mossy CreekJefferson County, Tennessee · 28 mi awayCalamine, Smithsonite, Sphalerite
Across the state line from Del Rio
Del Rio 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.
- Roaring Fork CreekMadison County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayUnakite
- Lemon GapMadison County, North Carolina · 10 mi awayAllanite
- Little Pine Garnet MineTop pick in North CarolinaMadison County, North Carolina · 21 mi awayGarnet, Quartz, Chlorite
- Ivy CreekMadison County, North Carolina · 26 mi awayChrysolite, Genthite, Talc
- Pressley MineHaywood County, North Carolina · 27 mi awayAlbite, Amphibolite, Corundum
- Pressley MineHaywood County, North Carolina · 27 mi awayCorundum, Sapphire
Del Rio FAQ
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More rockhounding in Tennessee
See all 59 Tennessee spots →Open Del Rio on the map
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