Glade Hill: Yellow Apatite Rockhounding in Franklin County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Glade Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Franklin County, Virginia. Reported finds include yellow apatite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Franklin County
State: Virginia
Coordinates: 36.96957, -79.74492

Geology at Glade Hill

This spot sits on Mafic Igneous Complex Undivided, mapped as metagabbro that formed roughly 1000 to 485 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Mafic Igneous Complex Undivided
Age: 1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)
Rock types: metagabbro
Elevation: 870 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 Glade Hill

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 88°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROCKY MT station (8 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 Glade Hill

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

Yellow Apatite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Glade Hill.

Across the state line from Glade Hill

Glade Hill 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.

Glade Hill FAQ

Where is Glade Hill?+

Glade Hill is in Franklin County, Virginia, at 36.96957, -79.74492.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Glade Hill?+

Glade Hill is reported to produce Yellow Apatite.

Is collecting allowed at Glade Hill?+

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 Glade Hill?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Glade Hill?+

Glade Hill is workable year-round.

How do I get to Glade Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.96957, -79.74492 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Virginia

See all 93 Virginia spots →

Open Glade Hill on the map

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