Copperhill: Azurite & Chalcopyrite Rockhounding in Polk County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Copperhill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Polk County, Tennessee. Reported finds include azurite, chalcopyrite, garnet, gold, pyrite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Polk County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Grassy Creek Road
Postcode: 37317
Coordinates: 35.00459, -84.39926

Geology at Copperhill

This spot sits on Great Smoky Group, including Anakeesta Formation, Thunderhead Sandstone, and Elkmont Sandstone, mapped as graywacke that formed roughly 4600 to 540 million years ago. In sedimentary country like this, any placer gold is typically recycled from older gravels, concentrating again in modern stream beds.

Mapped unit: Great Smoky Group, including Anakeesta Formation, Thunderhead Sandstone, and Elkmont Sandstone
Age: 4600–540 Ma (Precambrian)
Rock types: graywacke
Elevation: 1,460 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.

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 Copperhill

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 Copperhill.

Across the state line from Copperhill

Copperhill 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.

Copperhill FAQ

Where is Copperhill?+

Copperhill is in Polk County, Tennessee, at 35.00459, -84.39926. Nearest road: Grassy Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Copperhill?+

Copperhill is reported to produce Azurite, Chalcopyrite, Garnet, Gold, Pyrite, Malachite, Quartz, Staurolite, Chalcocite, Cuprite, Galena, Graphite.

Is collecting allowed at Copperhill?+

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 Copperhill?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

How do I get to Copperhill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.00459, -84.39926 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Grassy Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

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Open Copperhill on the map

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