Where to Find Lead in the United States
40 mapped lead spots across 5 U.S. states. Lead is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Map showing where to find lead across the United States, with 40 mapped spots
Top states for lead
States ranked by number of lead spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused lead-in-state list.
Every lead spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
Lead rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find lead in the U.S.?+
Nevada, Idaho, Utah have the highest concentrations of lead in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many lead rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
40 mapped spots across 5 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect lead on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like lead is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify lead in the field?+
Field identification of lead comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt lead on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
