Ashland area fields: Staurolite Rockhounding in Hanover County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Ashland area fields is a mapped rockhounding spot in Hanover County, Virginia. Reported finds include staurolite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Hanover County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Mount Hermon Road
Postcode: 23005
Coordinates: 37.75574, -77.45360

Geology at Ashland area fields

This spot sits on Sand and Gravel, mapped as gravel and sand that formed roughly 5 to 3 million years ago. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Sand and Gravel
Age: 5–3 Ma (Pliocene)
Rock types: gravel and sand
Elevation: 210 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 Ashland area fields

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 47°F in winter to 87°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ASHLAND station (2 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 Ashland area fields

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

Staurolite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Ashland area fields.

Across the state line from Ashland area fields

Ashland area fields 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.

Ashland area fields FAQ

Where is Ashland area fields?+

Ashland area fields is in Hanover County, Virginia, at 37.75574, -77.45360. Nearest road: Mount Hermon Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ashland area fields?+

Ashland area fields is reported to produce Staurolite.

Is collecting allowed at Ashland area fields?+

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 Ashland area fields?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Ashland area fields?+

Ashland area fields is workable year-round.

How do I get to Ashland area fields?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.75574, -77.45360 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mount Hermon Road.

More rockhounding in Virginia

See all 93 Virginia spots →

Open Ashland area fields on the map

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