South Hardin Mica Mine — Rockhounding in Ashe County, North Carolina
South Hardin Mica Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ashe County, North Carolina. Reported finds include aquamarine, golden beryl, muscovite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing South Hardin Mica Mine in Ashe County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Ashe County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Inspiration Way
- Postcode
- 28694
- Coordinates
- 36.37051, -81.50671
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 South Hardin Mica Mine
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 South Hardin Mica Mine.
- Walnut Knob MineAshe County, North Carolina · 6 mi awayAquamarine
- Long Shoals CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 9 mi awayQuartz, Pyrite, Epidote
- North Fork New RiverAshe County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayStaurolite
- Helton CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayMagnetite
- Horse CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 12 mi awayEpidote, Garnet, Magnetite
- Flint KnobWilkes County, North Carolina · 13 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Pyrite
- Piney CreekAlleghany County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayManganese, Rutile
- Blowing RockWatauga County, North Carolina · 18 mi awayGold
Across the state line from South Hardin Mica Mine
South Hardin Mica Mine 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 · 19 mi awaySoapstone
- WhitetopGrayson County, Virginia · 20 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Selenite
- TroutdaleGrayson County, Virginia · 22 mi awayEpidote, Red Jasper, Unakite
- New RiverGrayson County, Virginia · 28 mi awayMagnetite
- MarionSmyth County, Virginia · 29 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Iron
- GalaxGrayson County, Virginia · 31 mi awaySpessartine Garnet
South Hardin Mica Mine FAQ
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More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 198 North Carolina spots →Open South Hardin Mica Mine on the map
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