Hillsborough — Rockhounding in Orange County, North Carolina
Hillsborough is a mapped rockhounding spot in Orange County, North Carolina. Reported finds include moss agate, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Hillsborough in Orange County, North Carolina
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Orange County
- State
- North Carolina
- Nearest road
- Ben Johnston Road
- Postcode
- 27278
- Coordinates
- 36.07128, -79.13140
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 Hillsborough
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 Hillsborough.
- Chapel HillOrange County, North Carolina · 11 mi awayMoss Agate, Petrified Wood
- Eno RiverDurham County, North Carolina · 15 mi awayAgatized Wood
- Alamance CountyAlamance County, North Carolina · 17 mi awaySerpentine
- ButnerDurham County, North Carolina · 18 mi awayAgate, Amethyst, Jasper
- BethesdaDurham County, North Carolina · 18 mi awaySilicified Wood
- BurlingtonAlamance County, North Carolina · 18 mi awayQuartz, Red Quartzite, Serpentine
- Mt. TirzahPerson County, North Carolina · 19 mi awayActinolite, Hematite, Limonite
- MoriaPerson County, North Carolina · 20 mi awayPyrite, Limonite Cubes
Across the state line from Hillsborough
Hillsborough 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.
- AxtonHenry County, Virginia · 51 mi awayGarnet
- GretnaPittsylvania County, Virginia · 62 mi awayBlue Quartz
- Henry CountyHenry County, Virginia · 66 mi awayBlue Quartz
- BrooknealCampbell County, Virginia · 69 mi awayAmethyst
- Glade HillFranklin County, Virginia · 71 mi awayYellow Apatite
- HurtPittsylvania County, Virginia · 71 mi awayBlue Quartz
Hillsborough FAQ
Where is Hillsborough?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Hillsborough?+
Is collecting allowed at Hillsborough?+
How do I get to Hillsborough?+
More rockhounding in North Carolina
See all 198 North Carolina spots →Open Hillsborough on the map
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