Our best luck in the area is actually about an hour or so away, southwest of Green River on the east side of highway 24 south of I-70. As far as the shop, they have great stuff in the back. Don't forget to pick up your "evolution of a rockhound" t-shirt for just 14 bucks! It's a huge conglomerate field with tons of interesting specimens. How did it go, did you find good stuff? The time it takes to get there is worth the fun you'll have digging for sapphires. Box 146100, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6100 info@utahpaleo.org Colors: Clear, Amber, Pale Blue Along the back left side of the pile you will find large boulders loaded full of geodes. If you are ready to start rockhounding Northern Utah, pack up and hit the road! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rockhounding Near Salt Lake City, Utah: Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils The Salt Lake City area is home to a fascinating geological history and, as a result, many interesting rocks to find. We were up there for hours today, most of the area is now being bulldozed under for a new multi billion dollar neighborhood and equestrian project. They have some great stuff (even quite a few fluorescing specimens if you are into that). Here's a calcite geode with bright citrine and some light smoky crystals towards the bottom. Inside the store there is a pretty small selection so I would recommend going outside where he has additional tables and piles of stuff. It was a little pricey, but that might be the price to pay for it being so close to home. If you discover an artifact, do NOT touch or remove it. Canyon Rock Shop at Rubys Inn (Bryce Canyon City), Website: http://www.rubysinn.com/old-bryce-town.html, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Canyon-Rock-Shop-at-Rubys-Inn/226476884051312, -Note: The directions above are actually to the hotel/general store/restaurant across the street, but there is a crosswalk between the two to get to the Old Bryce Town.. Anyway, I figure now that we have somewhat of a reader base here, that Id promote a new rock show. Usually there are one or two things that jump out at me at each shop I go to and so my collection grows ha ha ha. Copyright 2023 Utah.com. For example, yellow and maroon bands are caused by the iron oxides. Take Exit 317 onto 400 W. North and travel this road east for 3.4 miles as it becomes 400 E. North. Garnet Hill is the only designated rock hounding area in the Ely District, an internationally known site for gem collectors looking for garnets. Turn left (East) onto US-20 toward US-89/Panguitch/Kanab, 3. In Vernon hills, there is Wonderstone Quarry. Have you found any other good geode locations around the area? About a mile down the road is the Golden Spike National Historic Site. The Great Salt Lake is called Americas Dead Sea. Rockhounding Utah: A Guide To The State's Best Rockhounding Sites (Rockhounding Series) $19.59 Completely updated and revised Full color images Each description of the 86 state's sites includes concise information on the material to be found there, the tools to bring, the best season to visit and what type of vehicle to drive. A high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle is best, since you may be going over rocks and down into ruts making it a bumpy ride. Let me know if you have any questions. If you start digging above or below that layer youll probably end up doing a whole lot of work for nothing. I should mention that this whole mountain was full of material (especially up and over the other side). Good luck to you on your hounding and happy digging. Collecting for commercial purposes is never allowed without a permit. Although there are laws regulating rockhounding, most of our public land is open and rocks can be collected freely by the public. It is $49 for four hours and $90 per adult for eight. The area is known for its impressive hematite and quartz. Ranging from smaller collections to one of the worlds largest collections of complete dinosaur skeletons, theres something for every dinosaur lover to enjoy! Agate beds here are typically not marked as Wendover is not known for their rock hounding the way other areas are. And, someone who has some. Will definitely stop again! That entire area of the Morrison Formation is rich in rockhounding sites. Rockhounding near Jordanelle Reservoir, Park City, Utah. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. It's often found underwater when the water level rises. Gypsum (sometimes called dirty diamonds) is a common sulfate mineral that is created from salt in evaporated water. Garden Park near Caon City, rich in geodes, quartz and fossils, is world-famous for its Jurassic dinosaurs and the role the specimens played in the infamous bone wars of the late 1880s. Enjoy! You will need a shovel and crowbar to loosen them. Thanks everyone! Who do you have to contact for permission? See if he will take you to the back of the shop and show you the current stuff he is working on. Utah rockhounding locations. * At the end of the road, you will come to Farmington. Millions of years ago, volcanic activity at the site of current-day Topaz Mountain jump-started this minerals over-abundance in Utahs western counties. Rockhound State Park Campground, Deming New Mexico. Here gypsum can be found. North Seattle Lapidary & Mineral Club. Rockhounders can find amphibolite, which may contain hornblende, actinolite, and plagioclase. There are many places in the United States where you can pan for gold, wash gravel for gemstones, or split rocks to find fossils and have a reasonable chance of being very successful. Otherwise, youll have to walk up the road and pop on over to the site. Like many other shows, theyll have field trips, craft demonstrations, workshops, the whole bit! Information: An excellent location for several kinds of fossils. We are obsessed with the outdoors, and work constantly to bring you the information you need to enjoy the rocks and minerals you've added to your collection. Wonderstone is a variety of jasper. for a little bit of heavy/dirty work to get the bigger pieces. Birdeye Marble Quarry is about a 73-mile drive from Salt Lake City. Can anyone tell me what Im looking for? Fossils of Brachiopods, sponges, worm tracks, and phylocarids can also be found. Turn left (East) on the road that goes up the hill (back toward Mt. Come one come all! Take I-15 north from Salt Lake City for 28.5 miles to Exit 332 (Antelope Drive/state Route 127). Garnet Hill is also an excellent location to view the excavations of the massive open pit copper mines near Ruth, Nevada. These round shapes were created by algae that formed around debris and were then fossilized. So, the area surrounding Guardsman Pass is full of metallic sheets of hematite. Id like to get this blog back up and going again and make sure everything is current and that I am always adding to it. Rockhounding for Thompson Agate - Near Crescent Junction (Moab, UT) June 23, 2019. Types of rocks/minerals: Agate, jasper, chert, petrified wood, oysters Speaking of rock and mineral shows, Ive updated the https://rockhoundingutah.com/miscellaneous/rock-shows/ page for 2017. Here youll find a road veering off to the left (South) through a ravine and up a small canyon. Website: http://www.simpleelegancerockshop.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simple-Elegance-Rock-Shop/111240292273823. This shop is run out of the back room of a convenience store on main street in Enterprise Utah. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator. Website: http://thebughouse.net/ or http://www.u-digfossils.com/, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bug-House/150966084945032. Some people believe that the Gap was considered a special place at certain times. Schedule an appointment with your local museum or university to help identify your specimen. Box 1113 350 East 300 South Delta, Utah 84624 (435) 864-3638 (435) 864-4294 FAX E-mail: udig@xmission.com website A New Dig P.O. It's outlined in the book. Previous Group The vein itself appeared to run vertically right up the mountain. Drive 20.5 miles on US-20 until you run into US-89. Jim specializes in opals (hes got several cases of different opals from all over the world). Information: This rock hounding destination offers a wide variety of rock and mineral specimens, including oyster shells and other Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. Vernal, Utah, is an adventure base camp to the best of eastern Utah. We broke two chisels trying to get one of the larger pieces out. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I'm happy to share this new rockhounding spot with everybody and hope you all find something outstanding. Rockhounding is all about the thrill of discovery. When we went, he was getting ready for a rock show out in California and had some great Topaz and cabs to show us. nothing huge, but happy with what I found. Accepts cash and/or credit/debit card ===== Rock Shop at Elbow Ranch (near Marysvale Utah) Dont forget to pick up your evolution of a rockhound t-shirt for just 14 bucks! Rockhounding Reports, Locations, Trips and Shows Rockhounding near Yellowstone and Grand Tetons We are a community supported free lapidary hobby forum and all are welcome to join us! I will be heading up this weekend. Although free or at a low cost, all collections come with some restrictions. Advice? Rockhounding is free to the public at this geode-hunting hotspot in Utah's West Desert. From the intersection of St. George Blvd and Utah Hwy 18, drive NW for 25.7 miles to the Pine Valley Recreation Area turnoff. It changes in mass according to the rain it receives and what it receives from its tributaries. I asked the locals and they said the owner was murdered last year by her husband so the shop is no longer in business. Culver City, CA. The most popular rockhounding sites in Utah are the Dugway Geode Beds and Topaz Mountain. In remote Park Valley, Utah, a short stretch of the Rocky Mountains seem to be tinted green by the exposed earth jutting out from the sagebrush. Keep to the right at the fork and travel to the digging area up the mountain. You may need a hammer and chisel to break apart the geodes, but it promises to be a great addition to any mineral collection. https://rockhoundingutah.com/miscellaneous/rock-shows/, Lake Mountains-Goethite Pseudomorph After Pyrite. A unique blend of intrusions in the local quartzite have produced a striking aquamarine quartzite often complemented by fired tawny layering on seam faces. I havent had the chance to visit this location yet. Depending on the water level of the Great Salt Lake, this hidden gem in Utah is sometimes literally hidden. Garnet Hill Recreation Area The museum also has three wonderfully preserved petrified trees and unique movie memorabilia. At any rate, Im excited to hear what you all find. Turn left (Southwest) after the 2.76 miles for about 640 feet to a meeting of the roads, Id recommend walking the last bit for step 8, 8. Trilobites are small, prehistoric marine invertebrates that roamed the shallow sea which covered Utah millions of years ago. You can drive your passenger car and park along the sides of the highway to snap photos or get out and explore the rocks and minerals found in the area. These geodes are primarily made of different types of quartz. . Destinations throughout Central Utah provide the most diverse and unique rock hounding sites in the state. I look forward to going back and seeing the finished work. Cowboys and dinosaurs dont always come to mind in tandem. Travel 3.1 miles to the parking area. We have been open now for over a year and try to just sell Utah rocks and stuff we find locally. We're not really rockhounds but enjoy poking around. It is a wonderful place to observe some really fantastic geology and to do some great rockhounding. From what I understand, just about any cut or dig you come across in this area should have some type of calcite coming out of it and this proved to be true in our wanderings. Before rock hunters begin traversing Southern Utah's thick forests and red rock deserts in search of fossils, rocks and minerals, they should do their research. Ive seen really tiny ones up on top where the road first comes onto the pits so I can only imagine that larger ones exist. The Rock Corral is an ideal home base for exploring this granite mountain and the surrounding hills which offer a pristine, secluded wonderland of climbing, scrambling, rock-hounding, and. Amateur and professional rock and fossil hunters in Utah enjoy some of the best rockhounding sites in the country. Ancient erosion and modern cinema joined forces to elevate Monument Valley to one of the world's most iconic places to visit but it's also the sacred home of the Navajo people. Types of rocks/minerals: Topaz, red beryl, bixbyite, pseudobrookite, hematite, garnet, chalcedony, amethyst, flourite, calcite, cassiterite, durangite. Things to note: There are four picnic sites with grills and a handicap accessible restroom available. There are two informal areas for tents or small campers. Youre doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. apparently and open public right of way. The colors ranged from a honey yellow all the way to the rootbeer dark brown. Many enjoy hiking in the area, even if they are not avid rock hunters. Tons of dinosaur fossils have been found in Utah, and plenty of them are on display in museums in the Utah Valley area. Garnet Hill is the only designated rock hounding area in the Ely District, an internationally known site for gem collectors looking for garnets. It is located just below Brighton, which is another worthwhile spot to stop at. A billion years of geological history surrounds Salt Lake City, where a modern landscape reflects ancient constraints. A lock ( All Rights Reserved. Be sure to bring water-proof boots and containers with you, as you will need to go into the lake to find the non-broken crystals. Thank you for the tip. It is one of the most populated areas and has over 85% of Utahs population living within 15 miles of the mountains. Colors: Multicolored The Park City Mining District is home to many mines and dump sites, both active and abandoned. I was fond of the buckets of raw fire agate and shelves of petrified wood, dino bone, and slabs of agate. But I do feel this spot would be worthwhile. Colors: Purple, Blue, White A few years back we purchased a book Rock hounding Idaho: A Guide to 99 of the State's Best Rock hounding Sites (Rock hounding Series) by Garret Romaine. (Or A Mixture? Because of the algae present in the lake, crystals can be found in a variety of colors including pink. Every corner of the state has something unique to offer. Nevertheless, many people are still able to find amazing quality cubes and clusters. Location: West of Delta off of Highway 6 So sad. Guardsman Pass is just another great spot to stop and try your luck searching for rocks and stones. Drive 2.13 miles on this main dirt road, (Not quite a half mile in the road splits in three and youll take the middle one that wraps around and to the left), (Note: at about 1.4 miles the road runs right through a large quarry). As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. PureRadiancePhoto / Shutterstock. This area is inaccessible. Click herefor more information about rockhounding. Colors: Multi, Usually Brown & Gray Hey there! He was extremely nice and told me that there is a phone number on the door you can always call if it is outside normal business hours and he can jump right on over. This fine family owns the claims at the U-Dig trilobite site as well as the Dugway geode beds. Learn how your comment data is processed. **Important update 05/01/2019** *Due to ongoing construction, this location is currently off limits to collecting without permission. State-specific rockhounding books (including the books listed here as well as other books), regional rockhounding site guides, and other helpful rockhounding resources are identified - by category - in the Books & Gear section of Gator Girl Rocks with a link to the Gator Girl Rocks Amazon Store where you may easily browse selected resources and . You may be drawn to the fact that the price of Septarian nodules is still quite high nowadays or perhaps your interest in the latest HBO series Game of Thrones has you searching out these Dragon Stone eggs or maybe you just like cracking open rocks with pretty crystals inside. Information: The variety of rocks available for collection at this former volcanic site make it one of Utah's most popular rock hounding destinations. Take a photo, note the location and contact your local BLM office. Sometimes, the ground has shifted and the layers wont exactly line up, but I found more success when I followed a particular layer. ). http://geology.com/store/geology-books/gem-trails-of-utah.shtml. Larry and Vickies jewelry Rockh sShop, here if you come to our shop it is on the north side of the house. Found mostly shale rocks. The outer clay shell of the Septarian is made up of bentonite. * Types of rocks/minerals: Geodes Utah rockhounding locations. This transparent, semi-precious mineral was designated as Utahs official state gemstone in the 1960s. Discover dinosaurs in Utah. In talking to the lady it sounds like they are owned by some larger parent company elsewhere so it kind of lacked that mom and pop small business feel. It is fairly small as rock shops go, but they have some great stuff. Bowenite vs Nephrite: What Are They, And Whats The Difference? It is always good to see rock shops so close to home! **Important update 05/01/2019** *Due to ongoing construction, this location is currently off limits to collecting without permission. Looking for things to do in Vernal, Utah? Location: All around the Caineville, Utah, area (between Capitol Reef National Park and Hanksville, Utah on Highway 24) It has gone from a low of 950 square miles in 1963 and expanded in 1988 to a historic high of 3,300 square miles. All state endowment trust lands are open to casual exploration for gemstones and mineral specimens, provided the lands are not under a valid exploration location or mineral lease. Plus find backcountry maps, Lake Powell maps and so much more. Your email address will not be published. I did see them at the rock show so I do know that they exist ha ha ha. Fee mining sites are places where you can pay a fee to dig, pan, or search for rocks, minerals or gemstones and keep whatever you find. The road up the hill is very narrow, in many places, there is barely enough room for two cars to squeeze through. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Hi Larry! cedar ponds washington rockhounding 27 Feb. cedar ponds washington rockhounding. Among veins of gold, silver, zinc, and lead, there are many different minerals and crystals. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Cost: $20/Adults per year; $45/family per year; $15/Students per year. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-78464863', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Torry related attractions like Escalanta Park, Little Wildhourse Canyon, Goblin Valley Park, Petrified Trail, etc). The Mineral Mountains, one of Utahs most magnificent but least known natural wonders, offer superb hikes through a rugged granite wonderland of cliffs, domes and valleys. I'll be in the southern Utah parks next week (Bryce, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Smoky quartz geode with yellow striped calcite crystals. There are tons of great places in Northern Utah outside of the campgrounds and state parks to add to your rock collecting locales. UFOP, c/o Utah Geological Survey, P.O. Popular finds include trilobites, gem quality topaz, red beryl, geodes and sun stones. It's a remarkable resource, we use it often. Escalantes Petrified Forest is one of the greatest preserves of petrified wood in the world, although collecting here is strictly prohibited. Stopped this summer at Joes rock shop! It is difficult, however, to find a complete, unbroken fossil. Very small store with great stuff. Go 115 miles to exit 4 and turn right on Leppy Pass Road where you will turn left and travel 3.15 miles. Once you start your quest, you are committed to it as there is no place to turn around in the mountain area. Yellow calcite with small smoky quartz crystals. Despite monthly rent averaging at $1,223, there are still a . Turn right (West) on the dirt road there (NOT the one into the Geneva gravel pit), 6. Maybe it is the proximity to the city or maybe it is the numerous people shooting their guns everywhere, but many pass right by without a second thought. Spread out all over his desk and in the glass cases are lots of cut and ready to be set jewelry pieces. Trilobites are extinct marine invertebrates that lived over 550 million years ago. US-50 Cinnabar, alunite, calcite, chlorite, fluorite, amethyst, quartz, selenite, opal, and other minerals can all be found in the area. In 1973, three people died while digging in the area, where there was a low overhang. Limestone shale is a type of sedimentary rock made from a compressed mixture of clay and silt. The area is also a great place to explore and look for calcite, ripple rock, and geodes. Maplewood Rock & Gem Club - Lynnwood. Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. The whole geode is the size of a softball and filled with smoky and calcite clusters like the one above. Exploring Horseshoe Canyon isnt for everyone. This will likely include a hammer and chisel for the best topaz sample. Vernon Hills, in Utah, is also public land under the Bureau of Land Management. Here's a link to a nearby Geocache that will get you into the area. Information: Make sure to register at the turnoff into this area. He says that is where you are most likely to find a few treasures. Spiral Jetty is on the northern shore of the Great Salt Lake. These guys also do a lot of rock shows around the world so he might be able to point you in the right direction for whatever you are looking for. Getting to Wendover can be a bumpy and dirty ride. Utah's "Dinosaurland" is an exciting destination for outdoor recreation and taking a step back into prehistory. Website: https://sites.google.com/site/braunlapidaryjr/ or http://braunlapidary.blogspot.com/. AndShesDopeToo is a worldwide adventure community of women run by Jennifer and Taylor Killian from Ogden, Utah. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. This 123 mile (198 km) highway connects US-89, just south of Panguitch and Torrey (intersection with Utah State Route 24). Just 7,963 people live in this city, east of Salt Lake City in Summit County. Located west of the Wasatch Mountains and Skyline Drive, Interstate 15 is the north-south roadway that takes most travelers to their destinations. Moqui Marbles formed underground as iron-rich groundwater slowly coated and compacted sandstone into spheres. Thanks for the information! From what I understand, the current owners are actually trying to sell this rock shop (as well as the septarian claim that goes along with it) so that they might spend more time with their family. Website: I cant find a website for this location, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Desert-Collectors/164408473584960. They own a septarian claim about 15 minutes South of here that they might let you collect at if you ask.