Rockhounding in Utah: where to find gems and minerals
Good news for rockhounds: Utah has gems and minerals to find. We've mapped 278 places where gems and minerals have been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 126 of them have no active mining claim: grab your rock hammer and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission. 152 are on someone's mining claim, so ask the claim holder before you dig at those.
Utah is one of the best rockhounding states in the country. Topaz Mountain in the Thomas Range is famous for its sherry-colored topaz crystals, the Dugway Geode Beds give up geodes you can crack open on the spot, and the sunstones of Sunstone Knoll near Delta glitter right on the ground. Most of these spots are on BLM land and open to hobby collecting with hand tools. Go in spring or fall, carry plenty of water, and check road conditions: many sites sit at the end of long dirt roads.
See all 278 spots on the Utah 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.
Join a rock and mineral club in Utah
Clubs are the best shortcut: members share their know-how and their favorite spots, and many organize trips or have their own claims you can work once you join.
- Beehive Rock and Gem Club · Club field trips · Ogden
- Cache Rock and Gem Club · Club field trips · Logan
- Central Utah Rock Club · Club field trips · Mayfield
- Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society · Club field trips · Ogden
- Mineral Collectors of Utah · Club field trips · Salt Lake City
- Moab Rock Club · Club field trips · Moab
- Northern Utah Prospectors Association · Club field trips · Ogden
- R.O.C.K. (Rockhounders Outreach for Community Knowledge) · Club field trips · West Jordan
- Southern Utah Rock Club · Club field trips · Cedar City
- Timpanogos Gem & Mineral Society · Club field trips · Springville
- Tooele Gem & Mineral Society · Club field trips · Tooele
- Wasatch Gem Society · Club field trips · Sandy
What people find in Utah
Fluorite (96 spots), Gemstone (32 spots), Beryllium minerals (31 spots), Azurite (22 spots), Agate (19 spots), Jasper (17 spots), Tourmaline (15 spots), Wulfenite (12 spots), Obsidian (9 spots), Petrified wood (9 spots), Quartz (9 spots), Calcite (7 spots)
Questions we often get
Where can I go rockhounding in Utah?
We haven't found a place in Utah set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 126 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 Utah under mining claims?
Some are. Every spot we map in Utah is on public land open to prospecting, but 152 of the 278 fall inside an active mining claim. A claim means someone holds the mineral rights there, so you need their permission to dig. The other 126 have no active claim: those you can work with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there rock and mineral clubs in Utah?
Yes: Beehive Rock and Gem Club, Cache Rock and Gem Club, Central Utah Rock Club, Golden Spike Gem & Mineral Society and Mineral Collectors of Utah. Joining a club is the fastest way to learn.