Rockhounding in Colorado: where to find gems and minerals
Good news for rockhounds: Colorado has gems and minerals to find. We've mapped 398 places where gems and minerals have been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 276 of them have no active mining claim: grab your rock hammer and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission. 122 are on someone's mining claim, so ask the claim holder before you dig at those.
See all 398 spots on the Colorado map
How to read the map
- Green: public land, no active claim. Go ahead with your rock hammer and hand tools, no permission needed.
- Yellow: public land with an active mining claim. Ask the claim holder before you dig.
Many recorded sites are old mines. Shafts, tunnels and bad air can kill: never go inside. Prospect in the creek and on the surface, and use common sense out there. See our terms.
What people find in Colorado
Beryl (86 spots), Fluorite (85 spots), Pegmatite (feldspar) (81 spots), Beryllium minerals (70 spots), Pegmatite (mica) (65 spots), Pegmatite (niobium) (32 spots), Quartz (31 spots), Jasper (31 spots), Gemstone (30 spots), Pegmatite (tantalum) (29 spots), Topaz (26 spots), Rhodochrosite (15 spots)
Questions we often get
Where can I go rockhounding in Colorado?
We haven't found a place in Colorado set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 276 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gem and mineral sites in Colorado under mining claims?
Some are. Every spot we map in Colorado is on public land open to prospecting, but 122 of the 398 fall inside an active mining claim. A claim means someone holds the mineral rights there, so you need their permission to dig. The other 276 have no active claim: those you can work with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there rock and mineral clubs in Colorado?
We haven't listed one in Colorado yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.