Mosely: Petrified Wood & Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Mosely is a mapped rockhounding spot in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Reported finds include petrified wood, opalized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Chesterfield County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Otterdale Road
Postcode: 23120
Coordinates: 37.42363, -77.72762

Geology at Mosely

This spot sits on Newark Supergroup; Arkosic Sandstone, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 250 to 200 million years ago. Sedimentary beds like these are the typical host for petrified and silicified wood, which weathers out as durable float on slopes and in washes.

Mapped unit: Newark Supergroup; Arkosic Sandstone
Age: 250–200 Ma (Triassic)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 220 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 Mosely

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 90°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, AMELIA COURTHOUSE station (15 mi away).

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 Mosely

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 Mosely.

Across the state line from Mosely

Mosely 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.

Mosely FAQ

Where is Mosely?+

Mosely is in Chesterfield County, Virginia, at 37.42363, -77.72762. Nearest road: Otterdale Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mosely?+

Mosely is reported to produce Petrified Wood, Opalized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Mosely?+

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 Mosely?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Mosely?+

Mosely is workable year-round.

How do I get to Mosely?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.42363, -77.72762 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Otterdale Road.

More rockhounding in Virginia

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Open Mosely on the map

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