Catawba — Rockhounding in Iredell County, North Carolina
Catawba is a mapped rockhounding spot in Iredell County, North Carolina. Reported finds include gold, calcite, magnetite, rose quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Catawba in Iredell County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Iredell County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- West Lewis Ferry Road
- Postcode
- 28677
- Coordinates
- 35.71208, -80.99187
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 Catawba
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 Catawba.
- StatesvilleIredell County, North Carolina · 6 mi awayAgate, Amethyst, Quartz
- MooresvilleCatawba County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayAgate, Amethyst, Quartz
- Emerald Hollow MineCatawba County, North Carolina · 7 mi awayEmerald, Amethyst, Quartz
- DenverCatawba County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayAmethyst, Quartz
- Stony PointAlexander County, North Carolina · 13 mi awayChlorite, Goethite, Monazite
- HiddeniteAlexander County, North Carolina · 14 mi awayEmerald, Quartz, Smoky Quartz
- Hiddenite (area 2)Alexander County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayAquamarine, Beryl, Quartz
- Emerald Hollow MineAlexander County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayEmerald, Aquamarine, Sapphire
Across the state line from Catawba
Catawba 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.
- Henry's KnobYork County, South Carolina · 43 mi awayAndalusite, Kyanite, Lazulite
- Bowens River and tributariesCherokee County, South Carolina · 50 mi awayCorundum, Garnet, Sapphire
- King's CreekCherokee County, South Carolina · 51 mi awayBarite, Chalcopyrite, Galena
- Cherokee CountyCherokee County, South Carolina · 53 mi awayBarite, Hematite, Kyanite
- GaffneyCherokee County, South Carolina · 54 mi awayCassiterite, Feldspar, Kyanite
- SmyrnaYork County, South Carolina · 56 mi awayCalcite, Galena, Gold Nugget
Catawba FAQ
Where is Catawba?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Catawba?+
Is collecting allowed at Catawba?+
How do I get to Catawba?+
More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 198 North Carolina spots →Open Catawba on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
