Rapid Creek: Rockhounding in Inuvik Region, Yukon

Rapid Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Inuvik Region, Yukon, Canada. Reported finds include lazulite, wardite, gormanite, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, and nearby spots.

About Rapid Creek

Rapid Creek, in the far northern Yukon, is one of the world's great phosphate mineral localities: the Geological Survey of Canada has documented more than thirty phosphate species from the area. The host is the Rapid Creek Formation, a Cretaceous sequence of phosphate- and siderite-rich ironstone interbedded with shale and sandstone, fractured during folding and mineralized by low-temperature fluids. Since its discovery in the 1970s, the locality's sharp indigo lazulite crystals have been regarded as the finest in the world, and lazulite is the official gemstone of Yukon; wardite and gormanite occur alongside. The site is among the most remote in Canada, historically reached by helicopter, and collecting is no longer permitted.

Minera Emporium: Lazulite from Rapid Creek →

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Inuvik Region
Province: Yukon
Coordinates: 68.54000, -136.79960

Land & collecting status

Confirm rules before collecting

Land status here is not confirmed. National and provincial parks prohibit collecting, while Crown land and many beaches allow it. Verify with the managing agency before you collect.

Collecting rules in Canada are set provincially and by land owner. Crown land and many public beaches allow casual hand collecting, while provincial and national parks are off-limits. Confirm the rules for this site before you dig.

Found at Rapid Creek

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots in Yukon within driving distance of Rapid Creek.

Big Fish RiverInuvik Region · 15 km awayLazulite, Wardite, Gormanite

Rapid Creek FAQ

Where is Rapid Creek?+

Rapid Creek is in Inuvik Region, Yukon, Canada, at 68.54000, -136.79960.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rapid Creek?+

Rapid Creek is reported to produce Lazulite, Wardite, Gormanite, Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Rapid Creek?+

Confirm rules before collecting. Land status here is not confirmed. National and provincial parks prohibit collecting, while Crown land and many beaches allow it. Verify with the managing agency before you collect. Collecting rules in Canada are set provincially, so always confirm with the managing agency before a trip.

More rockhounding in Yukon

See all 2 Yukon spots →

Open Rapid Creek on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.