Area of Natural Bridge: Serpentine Rockhounding in Gila County, Arizona

Updated June 2026

Area of Natural Bridge is a mapped rockhounding spot in Gila County, Arizona. Reported finds include serpentine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Gila County
State: Arizona
Nearest road: Forest Service Road 583A
Coordinates: 34.32068, -111.45715

Geology at Area of Natural Bridge

This spot sits on Devonian, and Cambrian sedimentary rocks, mapped as sandstone, shale, and limestone that formed roughly 540 to 325 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Devonian, and Cambrian sedimentary rocks
Age: 540–325 Ma (Early Cambrian to Mississippian)
Rock types: sandstone, shale, and limestone
Elevation: 4,550 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Area of Natural Bridge

Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 54°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 30°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NATURAL BRG station (0 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Arizona — Recreational Mineral Collecting
Arizona Geological Survey
Arizona State Land Department recreation permits
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Area of Natural Bridge

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Serpentine Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Area of Natural Bridge.

Area of Natural Bridge FAQ

Where is Area of Natural Bridge?+

Area of Natural Bridge is in Gila County, Arizona, at 34.32068, -111.45715. Nearest road: Forest Service Road 583A.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Area of Natural Bridge?+

Area of Natural Bridge is reported to produce Serpentine.

Is collecting allowed at Area of Natural Bridge?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Area of Natural Bridge?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Area of Natural Bridge?+

The most comfortable months at Area of Natural Bridge are August to June.

How do I get to Area of Natural Bridge?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.32068, -111.45715 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Forest Service Road 583A.

More rockhounding in Arizona

See all 53 Arizona spots →

Open Area of Natural Bridge on the map

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