Horse Creek — Rockhounding in Ashe County, North Carolina
Horse Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ashe County, North Carolina. Reported finds include epidote, garnet, magnetite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Horse Creek in Ashe County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Ashe County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Coy Ham Road
- Postcode
- 28643
- Coordinates
- 36.52938, -81.60095
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.
State guidance last verified:
- North Carolina Geological Survey
- Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
- Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Horse Creek
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 Horse Creek.
- Helton CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayMagnetite
- Long Shoals CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayQuartz, Pyrite, Epidote
- North Fork New RiverAshe County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayStaurolite
- South Hardin Mica MineAshe County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayAquamarine, Golden Beryl, Muscovite
- Walnut Knob MineAshe County, North Carolina · 14 mi awayAquamarine
- Piney CreekAlleghany County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayManganese, Rutile
- StratfordAlleghany County, North Carolina · 21 mi awayChalcopyrite, Cuprite, Galena
- Flint KnobWilkes County, North Carolina · 25 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Pyrite
Across the state line from Horse Creek
Horse Creek is close enough to the North Carolina border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- WhitetopGrayson County, Virginia · 9 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Selenite
- Mink RidgeGrayson County, Virginia · 13 mi awaySoapstone
- TroutdaleGrayson County, Virginia · 15 mi awayEpidote, Red Jasper, Unakite
- MarionSmyth County, Virginia · 18 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Iron
- Elk CreekGrayson County, Virginia · 28 mi awayChalcedony
- New RiverGrayson County, Virginia · 29 mi awayMagnetite
Horse Creek FAQ
Where is Horse Creek?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Horse Creek?+
Is collecting allowed at Horse Creek?+
How do I get to Horse Creek?+
More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 198 North Carolina spots →Open Horse Creek on the map
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