Rockhounding Spots by State

Yes. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals 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. Specific rules vary by state and managing agency.

BLM-managed land in the western states (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming) and U.S. National Forests in those regions offer the most free public-access rockhounding. Many states also designate specific public-collecting areas. See the state pages for site-specific guidance.

For casual, hobby-level collecting of common rocks, minerals, and petrified wood, you generally do not need a permit or a claim on BLM and Forest Service land, as long as you stay within the published daily and annual limits and use only hand tools. Selling what you collect, using power equipment, or removing vertebrate fossils requires permits. Confirm current rules with the local field office before you dig.

RockHoundR currently maps 2,800+ rockhounding spots across 48 states and 1,125 counties. Each spot includes coordinates, mineral lists, public-land status, and access notes.

Oregon, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, and Utah consistently rank among the most productive states, combining diverse geology, generous public-collecting rules, and well-known producing localities. Browse each state page for the top spots.

Spring and fall are ideal in most regions: temperatures are mild and recent rain often exposes fresh material in washes and road cuts. Deserts in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are best from late fall through spring, while higher-elevation sites in the Mountain West open up in summer once the snow clears.