Rag Mountain: Unakite Rockhounding in Cocke County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Rag Mountain is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cocke County, Tennessee. Reported finds include unakite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Cocke County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Gulf Road
Postcode: 37753
Coordinates: 35.81171, -83.04609

Geology at Rag Mountain

This spot sits on ground mapped as Longarm Quartzite that formed roughly 1000 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Longarm Quartzite
Age: 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
Elevation: 2,960 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 Rag Mountain

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WATERVILLE 2 station (4 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 Rag Mountain

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

Unakite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Rag Mountain.

Across the state line from Rag Mountain

Rag Mountain 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.

Rag Mountain FAQ

Where is Rag Mountain?+

Rag Mountain is in Cocke County, Tennessee, at 35.81171, -83.04609. Nearest road: Gulf Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rag Mountain?+

Rag Mountain is reported to produce Unakite.

Is collecting allowed at Rag Mountain?+

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 Rag Mountain?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Rag Mountain?+

The most comfortable months at Rag Mountain are February to December.

How do I get to Rag Mountain?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.81171, -83.04609 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gulf Road.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

See all 59 Tennessee spots →

Open Rag Mountain on the map

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