Del Rio: Barite & Calcite Rockhounding in Cocke County, Tennessee
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 1,820 ft
- Best months
- Year-round
Del Rio is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cocke County, Tennessee. Reported finds include barite, calcite, celestite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Cocke County
- State
- Tennessee
- Nearest road
- Dean Way
- Postcode
- 37727
- Coordinates
- 35.93673, -83.02627
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
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.
Best time to visit Del Rio
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 46°F in winter to 85°F in summer.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NEWPORT 1 NW station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Del Rio
This spot sits on Unicoi Formation, mapped as sandstone, arkose, and conglomerate that formed roughly 540 to 485 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
- Unicoi Formation
- Age
- 540–485 Ma (Cambrian)
- Rock types
- sandstone, arkose, and conglomerate
- Elevation
- 1,820 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.
Today's weather
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Del Rio.
Get the appSources & 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.
- Tennessee Division of Geology
- Cherokee National Forest
- Tennessee State Parks rules
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Del Rio
Each name 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 awayUnakite
- Big CreekCocke County, Tennessee · 8 mi awayGreen Quartz
- Rag MountainCocke County, Tennessee · 9 mi awayUnakite
- Mine RidgeCocke County, Tennessee · 9 mi awayCopper, Iron, Lead
- GreenevilleGreene County, Tennessee · 19 mi awaySphalerite
- Douglas LakeJefferson County, Tennessee · 22 mi awayDiamond, Quartz
- Nun's CoveSevier County, Tennessee · 22 mi awayCalcite, Chert, Barite
- RussellvilleHamblen County, Tennessee · 24 mi awayGeode
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 · 10 mi awayUnakite
- Lemon GapMadison County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayAllanite
- Little Pine Garnet MineMadison County, North Carolina · 21 mi awayGarnet, Quartz, Chlorite
- Ivy CreekMadison County, North Carolina · 26 mi awayChrysolite, Genthite, Talc
- Pressley MineHaywood County, North Carolina · 28 mi awayAlbite, Amphibolite, Corundum
- Pressley MineHaywood County, North Carolina · 28 mi awayCorundum, Sapphire
Del Rio FAQ
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More rockhounding in Tennessee
See all 60 Tennessee spots →
Open Del Rio on the map
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