Chestnut Creek Wetlands: Quartz Rockhounding in Floyd County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Chestnut Creek Wetlands is a mapped rockhounding spot in Floyd County, Virginia. Reported finds include quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Floyd County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Kyle Weeks Road Southwest
Postcode: 24380
Coordinates: 36.84700, -80.44616

Geology at Chestnut Creek Wetlands

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: 3,000 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 Chestnut Creek Wetlands

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FLOYD 2 NE station (10 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 Chestnut Creek Wetlands

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

Quartz Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Chestnut Creek Wetlands.

Across the state line from Chestnut Creek Wetlands

Chestnut Creek Wetlands 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.

Chestnut Creek Wetlands FAQ

Where is Chestnut Creek Wetlands?+

Chestnut Creek Wetlands is in Floyd County, Virginia, at 36.84700, -80.44616. Nearest road: Kyle Weeks Road Southwest.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Chestnut Creek Wetlands?+

Chestnut Creek Wetlands is reported to produce Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Chestnut Creek Wetlands?+

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 Chestnut Creek Wetlands?+

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 Chestnut Creek Wetlands?+

The most comfortable months at Chestnut Creek Wetlands are March to November.

How do I get to Chestnut Creek Wetlands?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.84700, -80.44616 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Kyle Weeks Road Southwest.

More rockhounding in Virginia

See all 93 Virginia spots →

Open Chestnut Creek Wetlands on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.