Rockhounding near Denver, CO

34 mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Denver — most are inside a 2 to 3 hour drive. Below: a map, the closest spots, what they produce, and full coordinates with access notes.

Covering parts of Colorado, Wyoming.

Closest rockhounding spots to Denver

The 6 nearest mapped spots, with straight-line distance and an approximate drive time.

Table Mountains (North and South)Jefferson County, Colorado11 mi · 14 min driveApophyllite, Aragonite, Calcite
Unnamed Area (Jefferson Co.)Jefferson County, Colorado19 mi · 24 min driveFluorite, Gold, Silver
Centennial ConeJefferson County, Colorado20 mi · 25 min driveAquamarine, Bertrandite, Beryl
Wigwam CreekJefferson County, Colorado39 mi · 48 min driveAmazonite, Fluorite, Smoky Quartz
Austin BluffsEl Paso County, Colorado58 mi · 1 hr 13 min driveAgate, Carnelian, Chalcedony
Crystal MountainLarimer County, Colorado60 mi · 1 hr 15 min driveBeryl, Bismutite, Fluorapatite

Most-reported finds near Denver

Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each material.

Every spot within 150 miles of Denver

Sorted by distance from Denver. Tap a row to open the spot detail page with full directions, access status, and nearby trips.

Spot	County	Minerals	Coordinates	Access
Table Mountains (North and South)North Table Loop Trail	Jefferson County	Apophyllite Aragonite Calcite Halloysite Zeolite	39.7740, -105.2009	Public
Unnamed Area (Jefferson Co.)CH 73	Jefferson County	Fluorite Gold Silver Chalcocite Sphalerite	39.6171, -105.3207	Public
Centennial ConeElk Range Trail	Jefferson County	Aquamarine Bertrandite Beryl Smoky Quartz	39.7554, -105.3607	Public
Wigwam CreekStoney Pass Road	Jefferson County	Amazonite Fluorite Smoky Quartz Clear Quartz	39.2487, -105.3387	Public
Austin BluffsWittenberg Court	El Paso County	Agate Carnelian Chalcedony Jasper	38.9072, -104.7973	Public
Crystal MountainNorth Crystal Mountain Road	Larimer County	Beryl Bismutite Fluorapatite Muscovite Autunite	40.5418, -105.4114	Public
Howes Gulch MinesClear Ridge Road	Larimer County	Chalcopyrite Gold Pyrite Copper	40.5911, -105.2250	Public
Wisdom RanchParadise Park Road	Larimer County	Beryl Chrysoberyl Garnet Graphic Granite	40.5978, -105.3644	Public
Unnamed Mine Dump (Zircon)High Drive	El Paso County	Zircon	38.8204, -104.8979	Public
Sentinel Rock and Specimen Rock	El Paso County	Amazonite Fluorite Goethite Hematite Quartz	38.8046, -104.9178	Public
Specimen Mountain	Larimer County	Allophane Calcite Agate Quartz Topaz	40.4428, -105.8084	Public
Cook Mountain (southern side)Gold Camp Road	El Paso County	Amazonite Smoky Quartz Topaz	38.7607, -104.9176	Public
Unnamed Area (Zircon/Fluorite)Gold Camp Road	El Paso County	Zircon Fluorite	38.7527, -104.9052	Public
Sugarloaf & Ruby MountainsCR 300	Chaffee County	Rhyolite Perlite Apache Tears Spessartine Topaz	38.7602, -106.0722	Public
Diamond Peak	Larimer County	Diamond	40.9802, -105.5594	Public
Calumet Iron MineAustin Trail	Chaffee County	Amphibole Chalcopyrite Corundum Epidote Pyrite	38.6333, -106.0003	Public
Sedalia Copper MineHappy Jack Lane	Chaffee County	Actinolite Almandine Azurite Beryl Chrysocolla	38.6036, -106.0306	Public
Chalk Creek gravelsChalk Creek Drive	Chaffee County	Sapphire	38.7138, -106.2278	Public
Copper King MineRoad 210	Laramie County	Barite Copper	41.1449, -105.1860	Public
Summit of Mount AnteroMount Antero Trail	Chaffee County	Apatite Aquamarine Beryl Bismutite Calcite	38.6738, -106.2467	Public
Sportman Lake	Albany County	Gypsum	41.1226, -105.6232	Public
Red Buttes	Albany County	Gypsum	41.1692, -105.6221	Public
Jelm MountainJelm Mountain Road	Albany County	Bismutite Bismuth	41.0761, -105.9915	Public
Italian Mountain	Gunnison County	Lapis Lazuli Garnet	38.9442, -106.7624	Public
Cement Creek Rd.Cement Creek Road 740	Gunnison County	Albite Ankerite Chlorite Diopside Epidote	38.9312, -106.7699	Public

Denver rockhounding FAQ

Where can I go rockhounding near Denver?+

There are 34 mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of Denver, Colorado. The closest is Table Mountains (North and South) in Jefferson County, roughly 11 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.

What rocks and minerals can you find near Denver?+

Spots within driving distance of Denver most commonly produce beryl, fluorite, agate, amazonite, bismutite, calcite.

Is rockhounding legal near Denver?+

Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Each spot page on this site lists access status; always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

How far do most rockhounders drive from Denver?+

Most weekend trips from Denver fall inside a 2 to 3 hour drive, which is roughly the 150-mile radius shown on this page. Closer spots are good for half-day outings; the outer ones are better as overnight trips.

More state coverage

The spots above span 2 states. Open the state page for the full county-by-county view.

Pack Denver's rockhounding map in your pocket

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