Limestone Gulch: Agate Rockhounding in Greenlee County, Arizona

Updated June 2026

Limestone Gulch is a mapped rockhounding spot in Greenlee County, Arizona. Reported finds include agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Greenlee County
State: Arizona
Nearest road: Limestone Trail 84
Postcode: 85533
Coordinates: 33.07618, -109.29158

Geology at Limestone Gulch

This spot sits on volcanic rocks, mapped as basalt, andesite, and dacite that formed roughly 41 to 7 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: volcanic rocks
Age: 41–7 Ma (Late Eocene to Late Miocene)
Rock types: basalt, andesite, and dacite
Elevation: 3,590 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 Limestone Gulch

Best months: October to May. Typical highs run 100°F in midsummer and 61°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 35°F. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CLIFTON station (2 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 Limestone Gulch

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

Agate Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Limestone Gulch.

Across the state line from Limestone Gulch

Limestone Gulch is close enough to the Arizona border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Limestone Gulch FAQ

Where is Limestone Gulch?+

Limestone Gulch is in Greenlee County, Arizona, at 33.07618, -109.29158. Nearest road: Limestone Trail 84.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Limestone Gulch?+

Limestone Gulch is reported to produce Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Limestone Gulch?+

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 Limestone Gulch?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Limestone Gulch?+

The most comfortable months at Limestone Gulch are October to May. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

How do I get to Limestone Gulch?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.07618, -109.29158 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Limestone Trail 84.

More rockhounding in Arizona

See all 53 Arizona spots →

Open Limestone Gulch on the map

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