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Crab Orchard: Crab Orchard Sand Stone Rockhounding in Cumberland County, Tennessee

Public access1 mineralCumberland County, TennesseeUpdated June 2026
Mineral reported
1
Elevation
1,830 ft
Best months
February to December

Crab Orchard is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cumberland County, Tennessee. Reported finds include crab orchard sand stone. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Nearest road
Crab Orchard Rock Quarry Road
Postcode
37723

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 Crab Orchard

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROCKWOOD 2 station (11 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Crab Orchard

This spot sits on Monteagle Limestone, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 360 to 325 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit
Monteagle Limestone
Age
360–325 Ma (Mississippian)
Rock types
limestone
Elevation
1,830 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

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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.

Found at Crab Orchard

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

  • Crab Orchard Sand StoneCrab Orchard Sand Stone

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crab Orchard.

  • MontereyPutnam County, Tennessee · 30 mi awayCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
  • Carpenter Hollow and Buffalo CoveFentress County, Tennessee · 33 mi awayCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
  • SweetwaterMonroe County, Tennessee · 34 mi awayBarite, Fluorite, Sphalerite
  • CookevillePutnam County, Tennessee · 35 mi awayAgate, Jasper
  • BoatlandFentress County, Tennessee · 36 mi awayCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
  • FriendsvilleBlount County, Tennessee · 44 mi awayMarble
  • LivingstonOverton County, Tennessee · 46 mi awayCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
  • Little Tennessee RiverMonroe County, Tennessee · 51 mi awayQuartz

Across the state line from Crab Orchard

Crab Orchard 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.

  • UnakaCherokee County, North Carolina · 64 mi awayStaurolite, Agate, Epidote
  • GraysvilleCatoosa County, Georgia · 68 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Purple Fluorite
  • Hanging Dog and Persimmon CreeksCherokee County, North Carolina · 69 mi awayStaurolite
  • Hanging Dog CreekCherokee County, North Carolina · 69 mi awayStaurolite, Tourmaline
  • Cumberland FallsWhitley County, Kentucky · 71 mi awayRockcastle Conglomerate
  • Hyatt CreekCherokee County, North Carolina · 72 mi awayAlmandine Garnet, Staurolite

Crab Orchard FAQ

Where is Crab Orchard?+
Crab Orchard is in Cumberland County, Tennessee, at 35.91092, -84.86905. Nearest road: Crab Orchard Rock Quarry Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Crab Orchard?+
Crab Orchard is reported to produce Crab Orchard Sand Stone.
Is collecting allowed at Crab Orchard?+
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 Crab Orchard?+
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 Crab Orchard?+
The most comfortable months at Crab Orchard are February to December.
How do I get to Crab Orchard?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 35.91092, -84.86905 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Crab Orchard Rock Quarry Road.

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