Big Mary's Creek: Unakite Rockhounding in Rockbridge County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Big Mary's Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Reported finds include unakite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Rockbridge County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Big Mary Forest Road
Postcode: 24483
Coordinates: 37.87582, -79.21022

Geology at Big Mary's Creek

This spot sits on Chilhowee Group, mapped as quartzite, conglomerate, and sandstone that formed roughly 540 to 485 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Chilhowee Group
Age: 540–485 Ma (Cambrian)
Rock types: quartzite, conglomerate, and sandstone
Elevation: 1,530 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 Big Mary's Creek

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 45°F in winter to 87°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MONTEBELLO FISH CULTURAL STN station (5 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 Big Mary's Creek

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

Unakite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Big Mary's Creek.

Across the state line from Big Mary's Creek

Big Mary's Creek 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.

Big Mary's Creek FAQ

Where is Big Mary's Creek?+

Big Mary's Creek is in Rockbridge County, Virginia, at 37.87582, -79.21022. Nearest road: Big Mary Forest Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Big Mary's Creek?+

Big Mary's Creek is reported to produce Unakite.

Is collecting allowed at Big Mary's Creek?+

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 Big Mary's Creek?+

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 Big Mary's Creek?+

Big Mary's Creek is workable year-round.

How do I get to Big Mary's Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.87582, -79.21022 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Big Mary Forest Road.

More rockhounding in Virginia

See all 93 Virginia spots →

Open Big Mary's Creek on the map

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