Hanks Knob: Garnet & Pyrite Rockhounding in Carroll County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Hanks Knob is a mapped rockhounding spot in Carroll County, Virginia. Reported finds include garnet, pyrite, pyrrhotite, quartz, rutile. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Carroll County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Coal Creek Road
Postcode: 24333
Coordinates: 36.62716, -80.85891

Geology at Hanks Knob

This spot sits on Ashe Formation - Biotite gneiss, mapped as biotite gneiss that formed roughly 1000 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.

Mapped unit: Ashe Formation - Biotite gneiss
Age: 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
Rock types: biotite gneiss
Elevation: 2,510 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 Hanks Knob

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GALAX WTP 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 Hanks Knob

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 Hanks Knob.

Across the state line from Hanks Knob

Hanks Knob is close enough to the Virginia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Hanks Knob FAQ

Where is Hanks Knob?+

Hanks Knob is in Carroll County, Virginia, at 36.62716, -80.85891. Nearest road: Coal Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hanks Knob?+

Hanks Knob is reported to produce Garnet, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Quartz, Rutile.

Is collecting allowed at Hanks Knob?+

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 Hanks Knob?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Hanks Knob?+

The most comfortable months at Hanks Knob are February to December.

How do I get to Hanks Knob?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.62716, -80.85891 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Coal Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Virginia

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Open Hanks Knob on the map

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