North Carolina

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • Very limited BLM land in North Carolina
  • • Most collecting on private fee-dig mines
  • • National Forest lands allow small handheld tools only
  • • No motorized equipment on National Forest lands
  • • Materials must be for personal use

Permits & Licenses

  • • State Parks require collecting permits for scientific/educational purposes
  • • USFS lands generally don't require permits for personal use
  • • Commercial mines charge admission fees
  • • Commercial collecting requires special permits

Restrictions

  • • State Parks prohibit removing rocks without permit
  • • National Parks prohibit all collecting
  • • No suction dredges on National Forest land
  • • Many areas are private commercial operations only

Contacts

  • • North Carolina State Parks: (919) 707-9300
  • • North Carolina Geological Survey: (919) 707-9200
  • • US Forest Service (National Forests in NC): (828) 257-4200