Where to Find Molybdenite in the United States
15 mapped molybdenite spots across 7 U.S. states. Molybdenite 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 molybdenite across the United States, with 15 mapped spots
Top states for molybdenite
States ranked by number of molybdenite spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused molybdenite-in-state list.
Every molybdenite spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
Molybdenite rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find molybdenite in the U.S.?+
Utah, Maine, New Mexico have the highest concentrations of molybdenite in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many molybdenite rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
15 mapped spots across 7 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect molybdenite on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like molybdenite 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 molybdenite in the field?+
Field identification of molybdenite 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 molybdenite on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
