Where to Find Copper in Arizona
Arizona has 5 mapped collecting spots that report copper, spread across 4 counties. The largest share sits in Pima County County with 2 spots. 5 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Map of 5 copper collecting spots in Arizona
Best counties for copper in Arizona
Ranked by the number of mapped copper spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Every copper spot we track in Arizona
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxbow & Silver Butte MinesOld Payson Road | Gila County | 34.1684, -111.3540 | Public | |
| Area around Go John MineSlate Trail | Maricopa County | 33.8257, -111.9930 | Public | |
| Dumps near Esperanza MineElams Loop | Pima County |
| 31.8670, -111.1298 | Public |
| Sierrita Mountain Mine Dumps | Pima County | 31.8777, -111.1950 | Public | |
| Rock Springs Digging AreaPhoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | Yavapai County | 34.0484, -112.1434 | Public |
Before you go
Read the copper identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Copper in the encyclopedia.
Copper in Arizona FAQ
Where can you find copper in Arizona?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Pima County County, Gila County County, and Maricopa County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many copper spots are mapped in Arizona?+
5 spots across 4 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect copper in Arizona?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 5 of the 5 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find copper
More minerals to hunt in Arizona
Hunt copper in Arizona with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
