Bonys Run: Smithsonite Rockhounding in Montgomery County, Virginia

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Montgomery County

State

Virginia

Nearest road

Bonys Run Road

Postcode

24162

Coordinates

37.14070, -80.25091

Geology at Bonys Run

This spot sits on Rome Formation, mapped as shale that formed roughly 540 to 485 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

Rome Formation

Age

540–485 Ma (Cambrian)

Rock types

shale

Elevation

1,640 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 Bonys Run

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 45°F in winter to 84°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, COPPER HILL 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 Bonys Run

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

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