Its water has provided food and habitat for humans and wildlife . You can also find agates a few miles west of Saratoga, Carbon County. So pack up your stuff, since once you read this, you might want to move to Wyoming and start rockhounding! It will help show how non-descript the host is. Some icons at default view contain 5+ hikes when zoomed in. Whether you're one of the thousands who come to Wyoming each year to admire its unique geologic features or you've come to rockhound and prospect for gemstones and gold, Precambrian metamorphic rocks are abundant in Wyoming. Specimens may become depleted from other collectors, the location may have been built on or altered, locality information in literature may be inaccurate, and property ownership may have changed hands. In the Absaroka Mountains, you may discover opal, galena, or molybdenite. This new version of the guide arranges the sites into counties and regions, with a different chapter for each county. Wyoming rockhounding map on Google maps click link below. circumstances since the article was originally published in 1989, it remains a valuable guide for anyone seeking additional resources in the pursuit of their interests, Another good place would be the 100 miles west of Casper County, discovered by a local rockhound. These rockhounding sights ofWyoming are mostly on public land but a good blm ownership map isrecommended allowing you to stay off private land. Jades are present in Carbon County as well. Anyway, follow that Jeep trail down toward the bottom, where it first starts getting pretty flat, and youll find a ton of fossils. Please take our survey about how you use and access the data we provide on our website. I had an odd experience last year. This book is a 6" x 9" paperback with 246 pages, descriptions, maps and photos. Sharktooth Ridge teeth and trace fossils near Rawlins, WY: 6.) TIP:Agates are one of the most popular minerals among rockhounds in the United States. Welcome to the Wyoming State Geological Survey Interpreting the past, providing for the future. Rock Hound Etiquette 7. hobby, or education. You never know what type of crystals or patterns youre going to find inside and it makes them incredibly exciting. So where to rockbound in Wyoming, and what can you find? The Absaroka Mountains are an excellent place to explore. Located east of Boysen reservoir on the south flank of the owl creeks. We are here for any questions or concerns that might arise about your adventures in mineral collecting. If youre unsure where to start, try looking into some of Wyomings rockhound clubs and societies. at Cedar Mountain. Various outcrops along the road contain specimens. Rainbow agates are located along the Wind River near Riverton, in Fremont County. The Hartville district within Platte County is said to contain some copper minerals. Gator Girl Rocks provides useful information about Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution. Posted on Published: September 29, 2020- Last updated: July 26, 2022. TIP: A great deal of petrified wood is not suitable for rock tumbling or lapidary work because it has too many faults and fractures. If opals are something you hope to find, check around Smith Creek. In fact, everywhere in the blackened areas has petrified wood on both sides of the draw. The Hot Park Area is near the Sierra Madre Mountains, and barite is commonly found a few miles southwest of Encampment. A lot of theseWyomingrock collecting sights have mining claims that come and go. The Triceratops was designated as the official state dinosaur of Wyoming in 1994, while the Knightia Fish gained the status of state fossil in 1987. Select locations particularly the tailings of old mines are prime spots for specimens of minerals like azurite, malachite, beryl, tourmaline, and garnet. Luckily, Wyoming is a prime spot for hunting your own crystals and gemstones. Rockhounds have several excellent locations to choose from in Wyoming. We wont be over that area probably until June but I like to plan ahead. To this general information we might add: The article Places to See Geologic Displays in Wyoming The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them! If youre looking for individual hiking tracks (rather than single-point GPS data), please see my GaiaGPS page, which is hosted off-site, and is free. Wolsey Shale yields abundant articulated trilobites (Albertella helena, Kochina gordonensis, Strotocephalus gordonensis, Ptarmigania gordonensis, and Vanuxemella contracta), as well as brachiopods (Acrothele colleni and Micromitra scuptilis) and hyoliths (Hyolithus convexus). However, I have compiled a list of resources here so that you may investigate and obtain permission for any locations (found here or elsewhere) for yourself. Wyoming is among the top rockhounding locations in the United States. Wyoming is perhaps most well known for its world-class National Parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. i am wondering if we can even make it to the top. ArcGIS login. Since rockhounds are highly prize geodes, we have made a special section on where to find these sedimentary rocks in Wyoming. On top of that, weve created a resource page to assist with answering all of your gem and mineral collecting questions. Below is a list of rockhounding locations in wyoming with a description of the minerals found there and pictures. The Owl Creek Mountains, Fremont, and Hot Spring counties also have jade. The specimens found here vary from blue, and light gray, to deep colors such as violet. In the case of petrified wood, you are only allowed to take around 25 pounds, plus one piece, each day, and you cant exceed 250 pounds of petrified wood in any calendar year without a permit. Phosphate rock is also located here. Congleton Hollow; Glass Buttes; Maury Mountain; Pigeon Springs; Skokomish River; . This publication can be downloaded directly from the WSGS The ant hills are basically everywhere if you get out and walk around, and your biggest issue will most likely be needing 44 to get there, and especially across the creek to the north. I am uploading a couple of pictures that my friend Henri took of me hunting it with his kids. Check out my article about how to identify a geode. The most commonly found and collected rocks and minerals in Wyoming are: If youve already found a rock and youre not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. You can find many types of feldspar minerals in Goshen County, including mica minerals, and in the Muskrat Canyon area of the county, you can find the marble. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; Western Wyoming is hard to beat if youre a rockhound. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Wyoming which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. This is a great resource for anyone who loves rockhounding, from beginners to experts alike! As you can see, opals are found in many places in Wyoming, so let us dive into where to find chalcedony in Wyoming. We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Petrified wood, Silicified wood, Quartz crystals, Agate (Turritella agate), Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Quartz crystals, Silicified wood, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Silicified wood, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Petrified wood, Agate, Jasper, Opalized wood, Silicified wood, Silicified algae, Agate (Turritella agate), Chalcedony, Jasper, Quartz crystals, Petrified wood, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper (red, yellow), Quartzite, Agate (Turritella agate), Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Quartz crystals, Petrified wood, Silicified wood, Coffinite, Ilsemannite, Autunite, Pyrite, Uranophane, Uraninite, Cobaltite, Erythrite, Linnaeit, Pyrrhotite, Agate, Chalcedony, Gastroliths, Jasper, Petrified wood, Quartz crystals, Azurite, Bornite, Chalcocite, Chrysocolla, Malachite. Public access. 5 Crucial Signs. I mention all this as it helps explain how to find the peridot. For additional reading, Id highly recommend these books you can find on Amazon: Please remember that rock collecting locations are constantly changing. Agates also happen to be some of the most commonly collected rocks in the United States, including Wyoming. If its sapphires you fancy, you may want to check out Grizzly Creek and Sweeny Basin. ), let me know. The best we have for GPS is cell phones. Wyoming isnt just rich in rocks and minerals; it also has gold, fossils, and petrified wood. Black jade is a real prize to find. Belemnites and other fossils near Bridger, MT: Winton petrified wood near Rock Springs, WY: Sharktooth Ridge teeth and trace fossils near Rawlins, WY: Interesting sedimentary features near Adobe Town, WY: Fossil Mountain & Darby Wind Cave near Jackson, WY: Red Gulch Dino Track Site near Shell, WY: Devils Kitchen walk-in access near Red Gulch, Wyoming: Moonshine Arch near Vernal, UT along with a dinosaur track site at Red Fleet: Blue forest petrified wood near Granger, WY: Fish fossils and some shark teeth near Farson, WY: Agatized fossil shells near Rock Springs, WY: Calcite for making lamps and also nice bots in roadside cut near Lander. Jade can be found in the Sweetwater River district southeast of the Wind River Mountains in Fremont County. Wyoming is full of jades, mostly of the nephrite class, and the jadeite class, which sounds like something out of Star Wars. It is located in the northwestern part of Wyoming, and you can find amethyst, opals, and many other types of valuable gems and minerals. | Library for the books I use when I go out rock hunting. Let me know if this is useful or if I can improve it in any way! Thanks again for this site. Obsidian isnt listed here since we know how much rockhounds love this igneous rock, so let us talk about obsidian separately. I'm starting with the most popular and working my way to the more obscure. However, there are no charges for attending club-led outings, and you dont have to be a resident of Wyoming to join. This is a simple guide to my website. Black jade can be found in Fremont County as well. If youre into gemstones like amethyst, I suggest checking out Amethyst Mountain; it got its name for a reason. TIP: Opal is a one-of-a-kind, highly valuable gemstone. Carbon County is another prime rockhounding location in Wyoming. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Peridot in ant hills and arroyos near Black Rock Butte. Obsidian is plentiful in Wyoming, especially abundant in Yellowstone National Park, where the Obsidian Cliff is located in the northwest part of the Park. Second edition. If you want to find sapphires, you may go to the Palmer Canyon in Albany. 5 Crucial Signs, Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home), Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids), Difference Between Real & Fake Geodes: Focus on These Signs, What Is Agate And How Do Agates Form? If you want to hunt for Jade in Wyoming, you can start from the northern part of the Granite Mountains, or to the south of Crooks Countys Gap-Green Mountain. Do NOT attempt unless dry. 15. Black Hills, South Dakota: 1. Geology of WyomingCompile digital bedrock and surficial geologic maps at 1:100,000 scale for the state in order to revise the 1:500,000 scale geologic map of Wyoming and surficial geologic map of Wyoming. Jade can be found in the Sweetwater River district southeast of the Wind River Mountains in Fremont County. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below. Zoom in for full list. Copyright 2022 Rockhound Resource | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Greybull, area washes and draws btwn Big Horn River and Mountains, Lovell, E to Big Horn Mountains in draws and washes, Fremont County, all regional washes and draws. I will update this to add many locations as I am able, but its one of my lower priorities. Rockhounding Site And Information Near Me (Clickable Map) - Rock Seeker Rockhounding Site And Information Near Me (Clickable Map) Must Have! The link in the heading goes to what I consider the best egress point, whereas the pin in the main map shows a better location for finding material. may be of interest to rockhounds. popular museums of interest to rockhounders, places to visit, and rockhounding sites for children and families. Geodes can also reportedly be found in gravels in the southern reaches of the Absaroka mountain range. Teepee Canyon Agates 13. Cryptocrystalline quartz varieties like agate, jasper, chalcedony, and petrified wood are prevalent over much of the region. Also explore the WSMGS Topic Library for articles such as Use caution. Sapphires and other treasures lie north of Yellowstone. Follow posted signage and always get permission from the landowner to collect. Go to Albany County, since agates are commonly found near Marshall, located in northwestern Albany. National forest and national grassland maps are also available from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) USGS Store, which offers secure, online ordering ($5 service charge applies), along with ordering by phone . 08-07-11 Elusive Wyoming fluorite specimens. google_ad_height=600; In fact, Wyoming is home to a unique variety of agate called Turritella agate that is extremely popular with local collectors. Here at Rockhounding Maps, we give you access and information to the best dig sites for crystals and minerals in Wyoming. google_color_url="FFFFFF"; This is missing a ton of great places, but I do update it every few months with a new location or two from my past explorations. Check out how valuable different types of opal can be in the article below:8 Factors Why Opal is Valuable (Prices for Different Types). These include allanite, beryl, calcite-aragonite, columbite-tantalite, cordierite, feldspar minerals such as orthoclase, plagioclase, galena, graphite, kyanite, magnetite, manganese minerals, mica minerals, uranium minerals, and varieties of quartz. Wyoming State Mineral & Gem Society Pegmatite and sedimentary rocks such as bentonite are also found in Johnson County. The best place to find geodes in Wyoming is in Box Elder Canyon near the town of Glenrock. The higher hills to the west (the mesas and buttes) are all ultrapotassic and mafic rocks. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. So, this saves us precious time. Members can expect various educational speakers and a lot of group interaction. Rockhounding in Wyoming is a great way to get out and enjoy the states expansive landscapes and beautifully unique terrain. TOP amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Moonshine Arch near Vernal, UT along with a dinosaur track site at Red Fleet: 10.) Its an excellent society that provides education and experience to its members. In the Casper Mountains, you can find chromite, feldspar minerals, or beryl. Wyoming is among the best rockhounding places in the U.S., and this is partly because around 50% of its lands are public! In general, the best places to find crystals and gemstones in Wyoming are washes and draws across the western half of the state, particularly near Kemmerer, Atlantic City, and Rock Springs. These public lands administered by the BLM are open to everyone to take limited amounts of rock material for noncommercial purposes without charge. Hi Frank. Map of the area. Atlantic City, area stream gravels, draws, etc. google_ad_width=120; They are widespread and fairly easy to find if you have a general idea of where to look. Im out of the US as I update this revision, so I dont have photos of the really good specimensgo figure. I mention all this as it helps explain how to find the peridot. But where else can rockhounds explore, and what can they find? I am wondering what it looks like on top of canyon. Rockhounding is recognized as a legitimate recreational pursuit on nearly all of the 18 million acres of public land in Wyoming. Keep me signed in. (I do not live in the US right now.). This is where you will find what is legal or not in Wyoming, in regards to rockhounding, where you are allowed to rockhound, what, and how much. Tip: Not sure if the rock youve found is a geode? Turritella agates are most commonly found in southwest Wyoming, especially near the town of Granger. You can also read through my free rock identification guide and mineral identification guide which are filled with useful information and tools. Here are 10 of the best rockhounding sites for rocks and minerals in Montana: Crystal Park - Amethyst, Quartz crystals Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine - Sapphire Jefferson River - Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper American Bar - Sapphire, Garnet, Kyanite Yellowstone River, Custer County - Moss Agate Pryor Mountains - Agate, Geodes, Fossils The Wasatch Formation is a great place to find manganese and uranium minerals. Here are 10 of the best rockhounding sites for rocks and minerals in Wyoming: Fremont County - Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Jade Split Rock - Ruby, 'Sweetwater' Agate Sweetwater County - Agate, Quartz crystals, Chert Rock Springs - Silicified wood, Agate, Jasper Box Elder Canyon - Geodes, quartz crystals Wamsutter Agate Beds - Turritella agates you can access Utah rockhounding locations https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=17-pa3pYy0AqN0D2Zh4cXklR9A7g&ll=39.483150381536596%2C-111.60763899999999&z=8. 08-07-11 Elusive Wyoming fluorite specimens. . Petrified wood occurs in the Specimen Ridge and Amethyst Mountain area of Yellowstone. Thanks! Proceed up canyon dirt road (12) until you reach the top plateau and it is flat. google_color_link="000000"; These are mostly comprised of old mining prospects, washes, streams, and historically known rock and mineral collecting sites. If you want to find nephrite-type jades in Carbon County, which is the state mineral of Wyoming, you may want to look in the Kortes Dam area or the Sierra Madre Mountains. If you have limited time and want to have the best chance of success, you might prefer to use either of these private areas which have fees associated: Both are located near Kemmerer! From beginners to advanced collectors, everyone will find something in Wyoming! Hello and thank you for posting this information. Note: magnetite is also present. Is the watermelon rock you mentioned in article of the tourmaline family? Below you will find maps published by the Wyoming State Geological Survey. Most of the collectible material in the area is in the quartz family. This paper has an alternate location along the logging road. Quartz crystals are abundant in the feldspar pits south of Laramie. Most of the mining has been less than 20 feet . Belemnites and other fossils near Bridger, MT: 4.) The most commonly found gems and crystals in Wyoming are quartz and feldspar, but you can also find many others including garnet, tourmaline, and opal. The state of Wyoming is noted for its copper minerals, lithium minerals, uranium minerals, feldspar minerals, manganese minerals, mica minerals, and quartz minerals. Suitable for the advanced backpacker. Introduction 1. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you. //-->, Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. You can probably find it just about anywhere in the area, though I had good success looking along the eastern flank of Black Rock. google_color_bg="1B1B1B"; google_color_text="FFFFFF"; google_ad_client="pub-2930148589555936"; google_color_url="FFFFFF"; The Sand Creek and Red Buttes areas of Albany County are full of sedimentary rocks. Check out recommended tools for rockhounding here:Recommended tools and equipment for rockhounding, What Rocks Are Good For Tumbling? Here you can find minerals, rocks, and varieties of quartz such as allanite, beryl, calcite-aragonite, columbite-tantalite, copper minerals, euxenite, galena, hematite, jade, mica minerals, monazite, opal, pyrite, agates, uranium minerals, vermiculite, gabbro, pegmatite, sedimentary rocks, taconite, and slate, among other things. Garnets near Custer Gold can also be panned in Douglas Creek in the Medicine Bow Mountains of southeastern Wyoming, or the Sweetwater River and tributaries in the southern part of the Wind River Mountains. Winton petrified wood near Rock Springs, WY: 5.) As you There are a couple of metamorphic rocks that you can find in the state of Wyoming. RedLong-duration hikes, typically 5+days. google_color_text="FFFFFF"; 44 is recommended for this ingress, but if you access it from the table to the east, 44 is required. The GemHunter (Dan Hausel) found peridot and garnets in the area, the latter of which can also be found NNW of Cedar Mountain. If you have a public-lands GPS map, you can proceed up the Plumbago Canyon road to the top, where people dont go, and find some nice specimens lying on the roadside. If you would like to read some of the source material for yourself I have listed them below. The ant hills are basically everywhere if you get out and walk around, and your biggest issue will most likely be needing 44 to get there, and especially across the creek to the north. I spent about an hour at this location, and . Rockhounding Wyoming Table of Contents: About This Book ix. I will as usual get a BLM map and make necessary calls for sure after reading reply. google_ad_width=120; There is plenty of BLM and National Forest land to collect on in Wyoming which is, in general, open for public use. Palmer Canyon is the place to be if you want to find sapphire. google_color_border="1B1B1B"; The Wyoming State Mineral and Gem Society is an umbrella organization. You can find these in the Mississippian limestone beds a few miles northwest of Guernsey, Wyoming. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; LOCATIONS FOR ROCKHOUNDING IN WYOMING Includes descriptions and maps. That said, lab is pretty much a plagioclase feldspar. Fossils in the escarpment. To determine what type of public land a particular location is on, I would recommend starting with the Wyoming Game & Fish Departments Public Access Summary. Membership is only $15 for adults 18 and up. Bookmarked. Opal is found near Smith Creek in Carbon County, and if you want to find quartz minerals, they are located from north of Saratoga along Wyoming Highway no. Check out the table down below to see where these specimens of sedimentary rocks are found in Wyoming. All 50 States Answered, contacting the assessor in whatever county youre inte, Gastroliths, Petrified dinosaur bones, Fossils, Gypsum, Dinosaur bones, Gastroliths, Fossils, Fossils, Ammonites, Dinosaur bones, Gastroliths, Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, Nephrite jade, Jade, Jasper, Muscovite, Quartz crystals, Agatized wood, Opalized wood, Tourmaline, Agate (banded, moss), Aventurine, Garnet, Sapphire, Agate (Sweetwater agate), Nephrite jade, Jade, Aquamarine, Beryl, Feldspar crystals, Muscovite, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Jade, Nephrite jade, Quartz crystals, Silicified wood. Albany is among the best rock-hounding places in Wyoming since you can find various rocks and minerals. You can even find geodes in Wyoming. Interesting sedimentary features near Adobe Town, WY: 7.) Find out where to find minerals in Wyoming down below. 11 Essential Rock Tumbling Tips - Get Better Results! Members can participate in outings, monthly meetings and be a part of a fantastic rockhounding community. Rainbow agates have been found along the Wind River near Riverton.