Pipers Gap: Hornblende & Serpentine Rockhounding in Carroll County, Virginia
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 2,820 ft
- Best months
- February to November
Pipers Gap is a mapped rockhounding spot in Carroll County, Virginia. Reported finds include hornblende, serpentine, talc. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Carroll County
- State
- Virginia
- Nearest road
- Pipers Gap Road
- Coordinates
- 36.64263, -80.84452
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 Pipers Gap
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GALAX RADIO WBRF station (4 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Pipers Gap
This spot sits on Ashe Formation - Biotite gneiss, mapped as biotite gneiss 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
- Ashe Formation - Biotite gneiss
- Age
- 1000–540 Ma (Neoproterozoic)
- Rock types
- biotite gneiss
- Elevation
- 2,820 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
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The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Pipers Gap.
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.
- Virginia Energy, Geology and Mineral Resources
- Virginia State Parks
- George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Pipers Gap
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 Pipers Gap.
- Hanks KnobCarroll County, Virginia · 1 mi awayGarnet, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite
- GalaxCarroll County, Virginia · 7 mi awayGreen Apatite, Chalcopyrite, Pyrite
- GalaxGrayson County, Virginia · 10 mi awaySpessartine Garnet
- New RiverGrayson County, Virginia · 14 mi awayMagnetite
- HillsvilleCarroll County, Virginia · 16 mi awayArsenopyrite, Azurite, Barite
- Wythe CountyWythe County, Virginia · 17 mi awayAragonite, Calcite, Fluorite
- Elk CreekGrayson County, Virginia · 18 mi awayChalcedony
- Laurel ForkCarroll County, Virginia · 20 mi awayQuartz
Across the state line from Pipers Gap
Pipers Gap 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.
- Bullhead MountainAlleghany County, North Carolina · 16 mi awayGarnet, Kyanite, Magnetite
- Mount AirySurry County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayFeldspar, Quartz, Jasper
- White PlainsSurry County, North Carolina · 19 mi awayBeryl, Columbite, Quartz
- Mitchell RiverSurry County, North Carolina · 22 mi awayYellow Chalcedony, Hornblende, Steatite
- Poplar SpringsSurry County, North Carolina · 23 mi awayRutile, Limonite, Quartz
- StratfordAlleghany County, North Carolina · 23 mi awayChalcopyrite, Cuprite, Galena
Pipers Gap FAQ
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More rockhounding in Virginia
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