Bedford: Moonstone Rockhounding in Bedford County, Virginia

Updated June 2026

Bedford is a mapped rockhounding spot in Bedford County, Virginia. Reported finds include moonstone. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bedford County
State: Virginia
Nearest road: Falling Creek Road
Postcode: 24523
Coordinates: 37.27223, -79.42000

Geology at Bedford

This spot sits on Mafic Igneous Complex Undivided, mapped as metagabbro that formed roughly 1000 to 485 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Mafic Igneous Complex Undivided
Age: 1000–485 Ma (Neoproterozoic to Cambrian)
Rock types: metagabbro
Elevation: 630 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Bedford

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 48°F in winter to 87°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BEDFORD station (6 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Bedford

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Moonstone Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Bedford.

Across the state line from Bedford

Bedford is close enough to the Virginia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Bedford FAQ

Where is Bedford?+

Bedford is in Bedford County, Virginia, at 37.27223, -79.42000. Nearest road: Falling Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bedford?+

Bedford is reported to produce Moonstone.

Is collecting allowed at Bedford?+

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.

What tools should I bring to Bedford?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Bedford?+

Bedford is workable year-round.

How do I get to Bedford?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.27223, -79.42000 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Falling Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Virginia

See all 93 Virginia spots →

Open Bedford on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.