Best spot

Moss Mountain: Chert Nodules & Iron Rockhounding in Monroe County, West Virginia

Updated July 2026

Moss Mountain in southern Monroe County is a documented manganese locality, where the weathered carbonate section carries psilomelane and pyrolusite along with chert nodules, dolomite, and glauconite. The black botryoidal manganese oxides and hard chert make distinctive display and lapidary pieces, and the smoky quartz reported from the ridge rounds out the suite. It gives the top-10 a spot in the far south of the state, a region with few catalogued sites. Reported finds include chert nodules, iron, manganese, psilomelane, smoky quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Moss Mountain photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

A rural farm scene in Monroe County, West Virginia, near Moss Mountain.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Monroe County
State: West Virginia
Coordinates: 37.62490, -80.28134

Geology at Moss Mountain

This spot sits on Beekmantown or Lower Ordovician Group, mapped as limestone and dolostone that formed roughly 485 to 470 million years ago. Chert and agate nodules typically form inside carbonate rock like this and weather out as tough, waxy lumps in soils and creek beds.

Mapped unit: Beekmantown or Lower Ordovician Group
Age: 485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)
Rock types: limestone and dolostone
Elevation: 2,620 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 Moss Mountain

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS station (11 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 Moss Mountain

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 Moss Mountain.

Across the state line from Moss Mountain

Moss Mountain is close enough to the West Virginia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Moss Mountain FAQ

Where is Moss Mountain?+

Moss Mountain is in Monroe County, West Virginia, at 37.62490, -80.28134.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Moss Mountain?+

Moss Mountain is reported to produce Chert Nodules, Iron, Manganese, Psilomelane, Smoky Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Moss Mountain?+

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 Moss Mountain?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Moss Mountain?+

The most comfortable months at Moss Mountain are March to November.

How do I get to Moss Mountain?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.62490, -80.28134 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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