Long Shoals Creek — Rockhounding in Ashe County, North Carolina
Long Shoals Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ashe County, North Carolina. Reported finds include quartz, pyrite, epidote. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Long Shoals Creek in Ashe County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Ashe County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Shatley Springs Road
- Postcode
- 28617
- Coordinates
- 36.47895, -81.41170
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 Long Shoals 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 Long Shoals Creek.
- North Fork New RiverAshe County, North Carolina · 2 mi awayStaurolite
- Helton CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 3 mi awayMagnetite
- Piney CreekAlleghany County, North Carolina · 8 mi awayManganese, Rutile
- South Hardin Mica MineAshe County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayAquamarine, Golden Beryl, Muscovite
- StratfordAlleghany County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayChalcopyrite, Cuprite, Galena
- Horse CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayEpidote, Garnet, Magnetite
- Walnut Knob MineAshe County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayAquamarine
- Flint KnobWilkes County, North Carolina · 20 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Pyrite
Across the state line from Long Shoals Creek
Long Shoals 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.
- Mink RidgeGrayson County, Virginia · 10 mi awaySoapstone
- TroutdaleGrayson County, Virginia · 14 mi awayEpidote, Red Jasper, Unakite
- WhitetopGrayson County, Virginia · 15 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Selenite
- New RiverGrayson County, Virginia · 20 mi awayMagnetite
- Elk CreekGrayson County, Virginia · 22 mi awayChalcedony
- MarionSmyth County, Virginia · 22 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Iron
