Walnut Knob Mine — Rockhounding in Ashe County, North Carolina
Walnut Knob Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ashe County, North Carolina. Reported finds include aquamarine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Walnut Knob Mine in Ashe County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Ashe County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Whispering Breeze Ridge
- Postcode
- 28684
- Coordinates
- 36.32808, -81.60819
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 Walnut Knob 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 Walnut Knob Mine.
- South Hardin Mica MineAshe County, North Carolina · 6 mi awayAquamarine, Golden Beryl, Muscovite
- Blowing RockWatauga County, North Carolina · 13 mi awayGold
- Flint KnobWilkes County, North Carolina · 13 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Pyrite
- Horse CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 14 mi awayEpidote, Garnet, Magnetite
- Long Shoals CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayQuartz, Pyrite, Epidote
- Helton CreekAshe County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayMagnetite
- North Fork New RiverAshe County, North Carolina · 17 mi awayStaurolite
- Yadkin ValleyCaldwell County, North Carolina · 20 mi awayBeryl, Garnet
Across the state line from Walnut Knob Mine
Walnut Knob 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.
- WhitetopGrayson County, Virginia · 22 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite, Selenite
- Mink RidgeGrayson County, Virginia · 23 mi awaySoapstone
- TroutdaleGrayson County, Virginia · 27 mi awayEpidote, Red Jasper, Unakite
- Roan MountainCarter County, Tennessee · 28 mi awayUnakite
- Stony CreekCarter County, Tennessee · 31 mi awayPyrite, Pyrolusite
- MarionSmyth County, Virginia · 32 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Iron
Walnut Knob Mine FAQ
Where is Walnut Knob Mine?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Walnut Knob Mine?+
Is collecting allowed at Walnut Knob Mine?+
How do I get to Walnut Knob Mine?+
More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 198 North Carolina spots →Open Walnut Knob Mine on the map
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