Where to Find Rhyolite in the United States
3 mapped rhyolite spots across 3 U.S. states. Rhyolite is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Learn about rhyolite: properties & identification →Map showing where to find rhyolite across the United States, with 3 mapped spots
Top states for rhyolite
States ranked by number of rhyolite spots in our database. States in bold link to a focused rhyolite-in-state list.
Every rhyolite spot we track
Sorted by state and county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugarloaf & Ruby MountainsCR 300 | Chaffee County |
| 38.7602, -106.0722 | Public |
| HillsboroNM 152 | Sierra County |
| 32.9156, -107.6058 | Public |
| Berlin & UtleyEast Huron Street | Green Lake County |
| 43.9684, -88.9442 | Public |
Rhyolite rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find rhyolite in the U.S.?+
Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin have the highest concentrations of rhyolite in this list. Each state's quality and access varies — open the linked state pages for a detailed view.
How many rhyolite rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
3 mapped spots across 3 states. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect rhyolite on public land?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like rhyolite 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 rhyolite in the field?+
Field identification of rhyolite 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 rhyolite on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
