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With its diversity of landscape features and geologic complexity, Colorado is one of the best states to rockhound in. This state has a huge variety of rocks and minerals, and coupled with dramatic landscapes, makes Colorado a fantastic place to spend time in. Colorado has thousands of good rockhounding sites; some of the best are presented in this article. Given the harsh winters, spring, summer, and autumn are the best times to rockhound in Colorado.
The Best Rockhounding Spots in Colorado Are:
| Site | Public or Private | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Mt. Antero | Public | 38.673594, -106.246717 |
| Ruby Mountain | Public | 38.759655, -106.074353 |
| Bear Creek | Public | 39.597442, -105.641388 |
| Stove Mountain | Public | 38.77611, -104.90083 |
| Unaweep Canyon | Public | 38.85354, -108.55445 |
| Sadalia Copper Mine | Private | 38.590153, -106.017690 |
| Turret Mining District | Private | 38.640169, -105.988874 |
| Trout Creek Pass | Public | 38.780479, -106.062487 |
| Upper Brown’s Creek | Public | 38.741548, -106.068740 |
| Wellesville Area | Private | 38.505606, -105.879467 |
In Colorado, you can find and collect a wide variety of nice rock and mineral specimens, including amethyst, agate, fluorite, fossils, garnet, rhodonite, sphalerite, gold, silver, copper, among many, many others.
If you are interested in checking out the best book about rockhounding in Colorado you can find it by clicking here (Amazon link).
Rockhounding Regulations and Laws in Colorado
Rockhounding on federal tracts of land (those managed by the Bureau of Land Management) is allowed. Some state parks permit the collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils from their lands.
As the rules regarding rockhounding on public and private lands are always changing, be sure to check with the state parks or landowners before you head out to new sites on your rockhounding adventures. The rules for collecting on BLM land in Colorado can be found here.
The Best Public Rockhounding Sites in Colorado
You can find the best rockhounding sites in Colorado that are open to the public below. And if you want, here is a map with GPS for all public and paid locations mentioned in this article:
Mt. Antero
The Mt. Antero area is the gem field with the highest elevation in the United States and the third highest in the world. With the heavy snowfall that happens in this region, the site is only accessible during the summer months.
A four-wheel drive car with high clearance is highly recommended for rockhounders interested in exploring Mt. Antero. The talus slopes of the mountain are good places to start your search for interesting rock and mineral specimens.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Aquamarine | Occasional |
| Beryl | Occasional |
| Smoky Quartz | Occasional |
| Topaz | Occasional |
| Fluorite | Common |
| Apatite | Common |
Ruby Mountain
Ruby Mountain, misnamed as the red garnets that can be found on this site, were mistaken for rubies. The mountain is situated near the town of Nathrop. Land here is owned by both private landowners and the Bureau of Land Management; be sure to seek permission from the relevant landowners if you’re keen to hunt for rocks and minerals on their private land, otherwise it’d be best to stick to rockhounding on BLM land. There is a campground at the north end of Ruby Mountain.
The two other hills nearby (Dorothy Hill and Sugarloaf Mountain) are also excellent locations to rockhound, particularly the pegmatites in the region. Smoky quartz and sanidine can be found on these two hills.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Garnet | Common |
| Topaz | Occasional |
| Obsidian | Common |
| Apache Tears | Common |
| Smoky quartz | Common |
| Sanidine | Occasional |
Bear Creek
The Bear Creek site has a history that goes back to the days of the gold rush in the middle of the 19th century. These days, Bear Creek is more of a destination for rockhounders than gold prospectors, although gold can still be found on occasion. This is a site known for its diversity of geologic terrain, which provides rich rock hunting grounds.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Amazonite | Occasional |
| Fluorite | Common |
| Quartz | Common |
| Smoky Quartz | Occasional |
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- BEST OPTION: Convoy 8+ 365nm UV LED Flashlight with Patented Glass Filter
- BUDGET OPTION: Karrong Rechargeable 1200 Lumen 395nm UV Flashlight
- OPTION FOR INDOOR USAGE: Prime Upgraded Big Chip 396nm UV
Stove Mountain
Stove Mountain is an excellent place to rockhound, given the wide range of rocks and minerals that can be found there. This site was a popular place for prospectors back in the 19th century, and you can still find galena (lead ore) and silver to this day.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Amazonite | Occasional |
| Fluorite | Common |
| Galena | Common |
| Smoky Quartz | Occasional |
| Quartz | Common |
| Topaz | Rare |
Unaweep Canyon
Unaweep Canyon is a very unique place as two creeks run out of opposite ends of the canyon, separated by a small landform called the Unaweep Divide. In addition to this geological oddity, Unaweep Canyon is an excellent rockhounding place, especially the cliffs and creeks.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Amethyst | Occasional |
| Calcite | Common |
| Fluorite | Occasional |
| Hematite | Common |
| Limonite | Occasional |
Sedalia Copper Mine
This abandoned copper mine was once the largest in the state, which closed in 1910. This site is located on private property, and permission is required to access it. The tailings produce a wide variety of rocks and minerals, but perhaps the most notable are the bowling ball-sized almandine garnet crystals.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Actinolite | Occasional |
| Epidote | Occasional |
| Corundum | Occasional |
| Chrysocolla | Occasional |
| Spinel | Occasional |
| Malachite | Occasional |
Turret Mining District
A collection of adjoining sites comprises the Turret Mining District, including the ghost town of Turret, several gold mines, and the Calumet Iron Mine. The Calumet Mine is private property, so rockhounds interested in searching there would need to get permission to do so.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Epidotet | Occasional |
| Beryl | Occasional |
| Muscovite | Common |
| Garnet | Common |
| Jasper | Common |
| Quartz | Common |
| Corundum | Occasional |
| Hematite | Common |
Trout Creek Pass
The south and east slopes of the Trout Creek Pass region are the best places to look for rocks and minerals at this site. Fossils can be found in the sedimentary layers. The pegmatites of Trout Creek Pass are excellent places to start your search for this prime location.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Quartz | Common |
| Pink feldspar | Common |
| Biotite mica | Common |
| Muscovite mica | Common |
| Rose quartz | Common |
| Feldspar | Common |
| Green fluorite | Occasional |
| Garnet | Occasional |
| Fossils | Occasional |
Upper Brown’s Creek
The California Mine at Upper Brown’s Creek is located two miles southwest of Mt. Antero. This is a high-elevation mine, situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet. The mine can be accessed from the Mt. Antero road where it intersects another road on the saddle between Mt. Antero and Mt. White.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Aquamarine | Occasional |
| Biotite mica | Common |
| Brannerite | Occasional |
| Fluorite | Common |
| Molybdenite | Occasional |
| Quartz | Common |
| Topaz | Rare |
Wellsville Area
The area around Wellsville is a good place to rockhound. The largest travertine deposit in the state is located here on the border of Chaffee and Fremont Counties, in Wells Gulch. This stone was a popular building material, and the Department of Commerce building used it in its construction. This is a privately owned location, so be sure to ask permission from the landowner before rockhounding at this site.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Calcite | Common |
| Jasper | Common |
| Manganese | Occsaional |
| Fossils | Common |
Best Pay-to-Dig Sites for Rockhounding in Colorado
If you prefer to visit pay-to-dig sites, below you will find a list of the best ones in the state of Colorado.
Florissant Fossil Quarry
The Florissant Fossil Quarry offers visitors the chance to dig for their own fossils. The rock the fossils are found in is an easy-to-split shale, which makes finding the fossils contained within relatively simple. Fossils of both animals and plants can be found here.
There is no need to bring tools as everything you need will be provided, including personal instruction. There are no reservations required, and the cost to dig is $20.
| Rocks / Minerals | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Fossils | Common |
TIP: If you want to know more about gold prospecting in Colorado, check out the complete guide in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Colorado: 7 Best Locations & Laws
Other Notable Rockhounding Spots in Colorado
In addition to the sites listed above, here are some more places that are good locations to look for rocks and minerals.
Spots in Northern Colorado
Here are some additional rockhounding sites that you can find in northern Colorado.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen Mountain | Public | 40.442759, -105.808412 | Allophane, calcite, agate, quartz, topaz |
| Diamond Peak | Public | 40.980197, -105.559360 | Diamond |
| Crystal Mountain pegmatites | Public | 40.541783, -105.411371 | Beryl, bismutite, fluorapatite, muscovite mica, autunite |
| Wisdom Ranch | Public | 40.59778, -105.36444 | Beryl, chrysoberyl, granite |
| Howes Gulch Area Mines | Public | 40.591110, -105.225000 | Chalcopyrite, gold, pyrite, copper |
Spots in Central Colorado
Here are some additional rockhounding sites that can be found in central Colorado.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mines and quarries of the North and South Table Mountains | Public | 39.773985, -105.200943 | Apophyllite, aragonite, calcite, stilbite, zeolite |
| Pegmatites of Centennial Cone | Public | 39.755422, -105.360747 | Aquamarine, bertrandite, beryl, smoky quartz |
| Wigwam Creek west of Sugarloaf Peak | Public | 39.248687, -105.338700 | Amazonite, Fluorite, quartz, smoky quartz |
| Cement Creek | Public | 38.931201, -106.769938 | Albite, ankerite, chlorite, epidote, garnet, lazurite, magnetitie, talc |
| Austin Bluffs area | Public | 38.907151, -104.797300 | Agate, chalcedony, jasper, carnelian |
| Mine dump west of Gold Camp Road | Public | 38.820318, -104.879852 | Zircon |
| Sentinel Rock | Public | 38.804640, -104.917770 | Amazonite, quartz, hematite, goethite, fluorite |
| Chalk Creek | Public | Albite, ankerite, chlorite, epidote, garnet, lazurite, magnetite, talc | Sapphire |
| Opportunity Mine | Public | 38.517407, -106.667927 | Albite, beryl, mica, tourmaline |
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
Spots in Southern Colorado
You can find some additional places in southern Colorado to rockhound here.
| Site | Public / Pay | GPS Location | Common Rocks / Minerals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf Creek Pass | Public | 37.451401, -106.889473 | Agate, jasper, chalcedony, moonstone |
| Wolf Creek Streambed | Public | 37.487272, -106.820292 | Amethyst, geodes, agate, chalcedony, jasper, moonstone, quartz |
| Willow Creek | Public | 37.868355, -106.927488 | Tuquoise |
| Last Chance Mine | Pay | 37.884018, -106.936668 | Jasper, galena, copper, turquoise, agate, rhodonite |
Rockhounding Clubs in Colorado
Colorado has several good clubs and societies for rockhounds. Some of the best are listed below.
Colorado Mineral Society
Founded in 1936, the Colorado Mineral Society is a non-profit educational organisation. The society offers regular meetings and field trips where you can collect rocks, minerals, and fossils. Membership is $18 for a single membership, $20 for family memberships, and $15 for senior and under-18 memberships. A silent auction of minerals, fossils, gems, jewellery, equipment, and other relevant items is held once a year. You can find their website here.
Mile Hi Rock and Mineral Society
The Mile Hi Rock and Mineral Society is a non-profit organisation founded in 1953. Their objective is to educate their members on all the aspects as they pertain to rockhounding and the skills associated with it. The society maintains five mining claims for the use of its members.
The society offers members a monthly newsletter, field trips, and meetings held as needed by the society. A ‘Show and Tell’ is an annual event that the society puts on just before the Denver Gem and Mineral Show. Their website can be found here.
The Columbine Gem and Mineral Society
Located in Chaffee County, the Columbine Gem and Mineral Society is a group for amateur and professional prospectors, lapidaries, and jewellers. The society is based in Buena Vista and was founded in 1947. The membership ranges from casual hobbyists to fully-trained geologists.
The society hosts monthly meetings and has many field trips to local areas and different mining claims. Membership costs $15 for an individual and $30 for a family. You can find their website here.
State Gem, Mineral, Rock, and Fossil
Colorado’s state gem is aquamarine. Aquamarine can be found on Mount Antero and on the nearby White Mountain, located in Chaffee County. The gemstones range from pale blue to green. The stones found here are of the finest quality. This gem was declared the state gemstone in 1971.
Colorado’s state mineral is rhodochrosite. The Sweet Home Mine in Park County produces some of the highest quality rhodochrosite in the world; the crystals found there are large and red. This mineral was designated as the state mineral in 2002. Rhodochrosite is mainly utilised as an ore of manganese, and high-quality banded specimens are often used in jewellery.
Yule marble is the state rock of Colorado and was designated as such in 2004 due to the work of a Girl Scout Troop who gathered the information needed for the designation. This marble is of a fine white colour and has a luminous quality. This stone has been used in the floors of the Colorado state capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This variety of marble is found only in the Yule Creek Valley.
The state fossil of Colorado is the Stegosaurus. These dinosaurs lived approximately 150 million years ago in the Late Jurassic. They were large, sturdily-built, plant-eating quadrupeds with broad, upright plates on their backs and short forelimbs, and they also had spikes on their tails – these features making this one of the most easily-recognised dinosaurs.
Recommended Rockhounding Gear
While special gear is not required to find nice rocks and fossils, having the right tools will help you find more than what’s simply laying around on the open ground. Here are some of the more basic tools and safety gear for interested rockhounds.
Geological Hammer
This 22oz Pointed-Tip Rock Pick by Estwing (Amazon link) is recommended for its durability and shock-reducing grip.
A rock pick is essential when collecting mineral specimens from a hard substrate such as stone. The pick’s handle is shock-resistant, making it more comfortable for use for longer times in the field.
Geology Pick
The Geology pick by Estwing (Amazon link) is a good choice for those starting out in the hobby as well as seasoned professionals.
The hammer comes with a pointed tip on one side of the head and a chiseled end on the other. This pick is good for excavating interesting mineral and fossil specimens.
Mini Shovel
The Mini D-Handle Round Point Shovel by Stanley (Amazon link) pairs convenience with durability. Especially in areas of soft material such as sand or clay, it is nice to have a sturdy shovel that is easy to carry.
The D-shaped handle gives you more leverage when digging on your knees, which is something that similarly sized standard-handled shovels wouldn’t provide.
Heavy Duty Work Gloves by Ironclad
Working with your hands in rockhounding environments can be rough; it is easy to get cuts or abrasions when in the field. Protecting your hands is important, especially while working with sharp or abrasive rocks.
The Heavy Duty Work Gloves by Ironclad (Amazon link) protect your hands from sharp rocks and tools. They are machine washable, highly abrasion resistant, and durable.
Safety Glasses
Eye protection is a must when breaking up a rock or any sort of work where debris could cause injury to your eyes.
The 3M Safety Glasses (Amazon link) are anti-fog and have a corded earplug system, as well as a removable foam gasket. The clear, scratch-resistant lenses shield the eyes against harmful ultraviolet light as well as prevent eye injury from flying rock chips.
First Aid Kit
With its 299 pieces, the Only Emergency First Aid Kit (Amazon link) is a good one for rockhounds. Of course, it’s best to avoid injuring yourself but if things go wrong it’s good to be prepared.
Some of the items found in the kit include fabric and plastic bandages, painkillers, gauze and pads, cold packs, wound closers, and many more.
Conclusion
Colorado is an exceptional state to rockhound in. It is mountainous and diverse in geologic landforms, which produces excellent material for the rockhound to discover. There are a large number of good sites to collect rock and mineral specimens; nearly everywhere you look, you can find promising rockhounding sites. Some of these sites are quite difficult to reach, while others are located conveniently near towns and cities.
If you’re new to rockhounding in Colorado, a good place to begin is by contacting the various rock and mineral societies listed above; they can be an invaluable resource for new rockhounders.
TIP: While there are massive amounts of unique rocks and minerals in Colorado, it’s challenging to find a specific stone unless you know what to look for and where to go in the state. Find out more:
13 Common Rocks & Minerals You Can Find in Colorado