Best spot

Burnsville — Rockhounding in Yancey County, North Carolina

Ray Mine gives North Carolina a rare free public pegmatite locality, with Mindat documenting aquamarine, beryl, amazonite, muscovite, rutile, tourmaline, and other Spruce Pine district minerals. Its strength is the combination of a historically worked mica mine and Forest Service surface-collecting access, provided current closures and mine hazards are respected. Reported finds include albite, amazonite, apatite, aquamarine, autunite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Burnsville photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.

1 photo

Summer resorts and points of interest of Virginia, western North Carolina, and north Georgia (1884) (14574403757) at Burnsville, Yancey County, North Carolina

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Yancey County
State: North Carolina
Nearest road: Ray Mine Trail
Postcode: 28714
Coordinates: 35.88832, -82.27474

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: April 1, 2026

North Carolina Geological Survey
Nantahala/Pisgah National Forests
Emerald Hollow Mine (fee-dig operator)
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Burnsville

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 Burnsville.

Across the state line from Burnsville

Burnsville 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.

Burnsville FAQ

Why is Burnsville one of the best rockhounding spots in North Carolina?+

Where is Burnsville?+

Burnsville is in Yancey County, North Carolina, at 35.88832, -82.27474. Nearest road: Ray Mine Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Burnsville?+

Burnsville is reported to produce Albite, Amazonite, Apatite, Aquamarine, Autunite, Beryl, Emerald, Fluorite, Garnet, Kyanite, Muscovite, Feldspar, Rutile, Quartz, Sunstone, Tourmaline.

Is collecting allowed at Burnsville?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

How do I get to Burnsville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.88832, -82.27474 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ray Mine Trail.

More rockhounding in North Carolina

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