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Getting StartedRocks & Minerals In Utah
Utah rockhounding maps to hunt for crystals, gemstones, minerals, and ores. Utah is a treasure trove when it comes to rockhounding. There are plenty of places to go for free and find cool rocks, crystals, and minerals. Pictured above on the left is a geode found in the dugway geode beds. These geodes are some of the most spectacular in the world. In the middle is a stunning pieces of azurite and malachite. Due to Utah's rich copper mines, there is plenty of azurite and malachite to be found. On the right is the elusive red beryl. Red beryl is one of the most rare crystals in the world, Utah being home to one of only three known locations in the world where it can be found!
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Popular Rocks, Crystals, & Gemstones In Utah
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GeodeGeodes are hollow, spherical rocks filled with crystals. They can be found in the Dugway Geode Beds and the Juab County area. Geodes can have various colors, such as purple, yellow, and orange.
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AgateAgate is a banded, translucent, cryptocrystalline variety of silica. It can be found in Millard County and the Topaz Mountain area. Agates can exhibit a wide range of colors, including white, black, red, orange, yellow, and purple.
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MalachiteMalachite is a green copper carbonate hydroxide mineral. It can be found in the Copper Globe Mine and the Old Reliable Mine in Utah. Malachite typically comes in various shades of green.
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AzuriteAzurite is a blue copper carbonate mineral. It often occurs alongside Malachite, and can be found near old copper mines. Pictured here is a type of called blueberry azurite, which can be found in Moab, Ut.
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AmethystAmethyst is a purple variety of quartz. It can be found in the Thomas Range and the Spor Mountain area. Amethyst usually comes in shades of purple, ranging from light lavender to deep violet.
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Sherry TopazSherry Topaz is a variety of topaz that ranges in color from pale yellow to deep orange. It can also be found at Topaz Mountain in the Thomas Range. Sherry Topaz exhibits warm hues of yellow and orange.
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Copper OreCopper Ore consists of copper-bearing minerals such as malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla. Copper ores come in various colors, including blue, green, red, and orange.
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Silver OreSilver Ore consists of silver-bearing minerals such as acanthite and argentite. Silver ores usually have a metallic gray color and may exhibit a shiny appearance.
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TrilobitesTrilobites are extinct marine arthropods that can be found as fossils in sedimentary rocks. In Utah, trilobite fossils can be found in the U-Dig Fossil Quarry and the House Range area. Trilobite fossils typically appear as black or dark brown imprints on gray or tan-colored rocks.
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Red BerylRed Beryl is a rare red variety of beryl that can be found in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah. This gemstone exhibits a deep red color, sometimes referred to as "scarlet emerald."
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CalciteCalcite is a common calcium carbonate mineral that can be found in various colors, including yellow. In Utah, notable calcite deposits can be found in the Tintic Mining District and the Thomas Range.
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VarisciteVariscite is a rare green phosphate mineral that can be found in the Little Green Monster Mine in Utah. It typically comes in various shades of green, often with a spiderweb-like pattern.
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AquamarineAquamarine is a blue variety of beryl. It can be found in the Wah Wah Mountains and the Thomas Range in Utah. Aquamarine typically comes in shades of blue, ranging from pale to deep blue.
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GypsumGypsum is a common sulfate mineral that can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Spor Mountain area and the Great Salt Lake Desert. It is typically white or colorless and can form large, well-defined crystals.
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ObsidianObsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that can be found in the Black Rock Desert and the Mineral Mountains in Utah. It is typically black and can have a sharp, glass-like appearance.
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SulfurSulfur is a bright yellow element that can be found in its pure form in volcanic areas such as the Sulphurdale area in Utah. Sulfur is typically yellow and can form well-defined crystals.
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WonderstoneWonderstone is a type of rhyolite that is known for its striking patterns and colors. It can be found in the Vernon Hills area and the central Utah region. Wonderstone typically exhibits various shades of brown, red, and yellow in swirling or banded patterns.
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HaliteHalite, also known as rock salt, is a common mineral that can be found in the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. It is typically white or colorless but can also appear in shades of blue, pink, and yellow.
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Fish FossilsFish fossils from the Eocene Epoch can be found in the Green River Formation in eastern Utah. These fossils typically appear as detailed imprints of fish on tan or gray sedimentary rocks.
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Dinosaur BonesDinosaur bones can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. These fossils usually appear as brown or black petrified bone fragments in sedimentary rocks.
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AmmonitesAmmonites are extinct marine mollusks that can be found as fossils in sedimentary rocks. In Utah, ammonite fossils can be found in the Mancos Shale Formation and the House Range area. Ammonite fossils typically appear as coiled or spiral imprints on gray or tan-colored rocks.
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BariteBarite is a barium sulfate mineral that can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Confusion Range and the Thomas Range. Barite is typically colorless or white but can also appear in shades of blue, yellow, and brown.
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MagnetiteMagnetite is an iron oxide mineral that can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Oquirrh Mountains and the Mineral Mountains. Magnetite is typically black and has a metallic luster and strong magnetic properties.
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HematiteHematite is an iron oxide mineral that can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Iron Springs District and the San Rafael Swell. Hematite is typically black or red and has a metallic luster and non-magnetic properties.
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Gold OreGold Ore consists of gold-bearing minerals such as native gold and electrum. Gold ores can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Oquirrh Mountains and the Tushar Mountains. Gold ores usually have a metallic yellow color and may exhibit a shiny appearance.
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SeleniteSelenite is a transparent or translucent variety of gypsum that can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Great Salt Lake Desert and the Spor Mountain area. Selenite is typically colorless or white and can form large, well-defined crystals.
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PyritePyrite, also known as fool's gold, is an iron sulfide mineral that can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Oquirrh Mountains and the Bingham Canyon Mine. Pyrite is typically metallic yellow and can exhibit a shiny appearance.
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Plant FossilsPlant fossils can be found in various locations throughout Utah, including the Wasatch Plateau and the Uinta Basin. These fossils typically appear as detailed imprints of leaves, stems, and other plant parts on sedimentary rocks.
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Popular Rock Hunting Areas In Utah
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Dugway Geode Beds
The Dugway Geodge Beds are a popular place for rockhounders to find small and medium sized geodes. There are some rules about where you can dig, so read up before heading out.
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Topaz MountainTopaz Mountain is a rockhounders dream. It has a free and paid section where you can go bust open rocks in search of gorgeous topaz crystals.
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U-Dig Fossil QuarryThe U-Dig Fossil Quarry is a privately-owned quarry that offers the opportunity to collect well-preserved trilobite fossils. Visitors pay a fee and are provided with tools to dig and split the shale layers, revealing the fossils within.
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Dinosaur National MonumentDinosaur National Monument is a world-renowned site for dinosaur fossils. The Quarry Exhibit Hall allows visitors to view a preserved quarry face with numerous dinosaur bones still embedded in the rock, as well as participate in ranger-led programs.
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Wah Wah MountainsThe Wah Wah Mountains are home to rare red beryl, also known as bixbite, which is found in only a few locations worldwide. Some areas in the Wah Wah Mountains are privately owned and may charge a fee for collecting, while others may be open to public access.
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Spor MountainSpor Mountain is a famous locality for a variety of minerals, including bixbyite, pseudobrookite, and amethyst. The area is under the jurisdiction of the BLM, so ensure you follow proper collecting guidelines and respect the land.
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San Rafael SwellThe San Rafael Swell is a large geologic feature in central Utah known for its scenic beauty and variety of minerals, including agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Collecting is allowed on BLM land, but be sure to follow all regulations and stay on designated roads.
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Sunstone KnollSunstone Knoll is a volcanic formation located in Millard County, Utah. The area is known for sunstones, which are yellow to reddish-brown labradorite feldspar crystals. Collecting is allowed on BLM land, but follow all regulations and stay on designated roads.
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Tushar MountainsThe Tushar Mountains in southern Utah are home to several historic mining districts, including the Gold Mountain Mining District. Gold, silver, and other mineral specimens can be found in the area. When exploring, be aware of private property and mining claim boundaries.
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Bingham Canyon MineThe Bingham Canyon Mine, also known as the Kennecott Copper Mine, is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world. While collecting is not allowed within the mine itself, nearby areas offer opportunities to find copper minerals, such as azurite, malachite, and chrysocolla.
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Little Salt LakeLittle Salt Lake, located in Iron County, Utah, is known for its deposits of colorful agates and jaspers. Rockhounds can collect specimens on BLM land, but ensure you follow all regulations and stay on designated roads.
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Geology of Utah
Utah, located in the western United States, is renowned for its diverse and breathtaking geological features. The state's unique geology is a result of millions of years of tectonic and erosional processes. With an array of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, Utah showcases a rich geological history that spans from the Precambrian to the Cenozoic eras. The region's stunning landscapes, including the iconic red rock formations, salt flats, and rugged mountain ranges, attract geologists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
One of Utah's most fascinating geological features is the Colorado Plateau, a vast and elevated region covering parts of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. This area is well known for its striking sedimentary rock layers, which have been carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries into spectacular canyons, mesas, and buttes. The Plateau's red, orange, and white rock formations are made up of sandstone, shale, and limestone, and are the result of ancient depositional environments, such as deserts, swamps, and shallow seas.
Utah's Great Basin, located to the west of the Colorado Plateau, is another notable geological feature. This region is characterized by its semi-arid climate, large salt flats, and numerous mountain ranges. The Bonneville Salt Flats, a remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville, is an expansive salt pan that covers over 30,000 acres. The Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, is another impressive feature of the Great Basin and is a critical habitat for migratory birds and brine shrimp.
The Wasatch Range, a series of mountains that run north to south through central Utah, forms the western edge of the Rocky Mountains. These mountains were created by significant tectonic uplift during the Laramide orogeny, a period of mountain-building that began around 70 million years ago. The Wasatch Range is home to world-class ski resorts, and its steep terrain contributes to the formation of deep canyons and dramatic landscapes, such as the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Utah's diverse geology has also resulted in a wealth of mineral and fossil resources. The state is home to world-class mineral collecting sites, including Topaz Mountain and the Dugway Geode Beds, where rockhounds can uncover precious gems and minerals. Additionally, Utah's rich fossil record tells the story of its prehistoric past, with sites such as the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry and the U-Dig Fossil Quarry offering glimpses into the lives of ancient marine and terrestrial organisms. In summary, Utah's extraordinary geological features and resources provide countless opportunities for scientific study, recreation, and admiration of the Earth's history.