Spottswood: Quartz Rockhounding in Rockbridge County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Spottswood is a mapped rockhounding spot in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Reported finds include quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Rockbridge County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Otterbein Farm Lane
Postcode: 24476
Coordinates: 37.94900, -79.26954

Geology at Spottswood

This spot sits on Beekmantown Group, mapped as dolostone and limestone that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Beekmantown Group
Age: 485–445 Ma (Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone and limestone
Elevation: 1,620 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 Spottswood

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 (10 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 Spottswood

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

Quartz Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Spottswood.

Across the state line from Spottswood

Spottswood 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.

Spottswood FAQ

Where is Spottswood?+

Spottswood is in Rockbridge County, Virginia, at 37.94900, -79.26954. Nearest road: Otterbein Farm Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Spottswood?+

Spottswood is reported to produce Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Spottswood?+

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 Spottswood?+

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 Spottswood?+

Spottswood is workable year-round.

How do I get to Spottswood?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.94900, -79.26954 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Otterbein Farm Lane.

More rockhounding in Virginia

See all 93 Virginia spots →

Open Spottswood on the map

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