Rockhounding Spots by State

Browse 2,884 rockhounding locations across 48 U.S. states and 1,063 counties. Each state page lists named spots, the rocks and minerals you can find, public land context, and exact coordinates so you can plan a trip before you drive out.

Rockhounding near major cities

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Closest mapped spots within roughly a 2 to 3 hour drive of a major U.S. city. Most-searched starting points are below.

Browse by mineral instead

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Looking for one specific material? Open a mineral page to see every mapped spot in the country, ranked by state.

All states

U.S. rockhounding FAQ

Is rockhounding legal in the United States?+

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.

Where can I rockhound for free in the U.S.?+

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.

How many rockhounding spots does RockHoundR map in the United States?+

RockHoundR currently maps 2,884 rockhounding spots across 48 states and 1,063 counties. Each spot includes coordinates, mineral lists, public-land status, and access notes.

Which U.S. states are best for rockhounding?+

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.

Plan trips, save spots, check land in the app

The RockHoundR app turns this list into a map you can filter, save, and use offline. Public land overlays, geology, and weather built in.