Ashland Mill: Mica & Quartz Rockhounding in Hanover County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Ashland Mill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Hanover County, Virginia. Reported finds include mica, quartz, moonstone, amazonite, feldspar, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Hanover County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: I 95
Postcode: 23047
Coordinates: 37.81380, -77.46128

Geology at Ashland Mill

This spot sits on Newark Supergroup; Conglomerate, mixed clasts, mapped as conglomerate that formed roughly 250 to 200 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Newark Supergroup; Conglomerate, mixed clasts
Age: 250–200 Ma (Triassic)
Rock types: conglomerate
Elevation: 80 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 Mill

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 (4 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 Mill

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 Ashland Mill.

Across the state line from Ashland Mill

Ashland Mill 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 Mill FAQ

Where is Ashland Mill?+

Ashland Mill is in Hanover County, Virginia, at 37.81380, -77.46128. Nearest road: I 95.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ashland Mill?+

Ashland Mill is reported to produce Mica, Quartz, Moonstone, Amazonite, Feldspar, Kyanite, Rutile.

Is collecting allowed at Ashland Mill?+

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 Mill?+

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 Ashland Mill?+

Ashland Mill is workable year-round.

How do I get to Ashland Mill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.81380, -77.46128 in Google Maps. The nearest road is I 95.

More rockhounding in Virginia

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Open Ashland Mill on the map

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