Ward Canyon: Red Agate Rockhounding in Greenlee County, Arizona

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Greenlee County
State: Arizona
Nearest road: Ward Canyon Road
Postcode: 85540
Coordinates: 33.04010, -109.28586

Geology at Ward Canyon

This spot sits on ground mapped as conglomerate and sandstone that formed roughly 20 to 2 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.

Age: 20–2 Ma (Early Miocene to Pleistocene)
Rock types: conglomerate and sandstone
Elevation: 3,530 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 Ward Canyon

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 Ward Canyon

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

Red Agate Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Ward Canyon.

Across the state line from Ward Canyon

Ward Canyon 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.

Ward Canyon FAQ

Where is Ward Canyon?+

Ward Canyon is in Greenlee County, Arizona, at 33.04010, -109.28586. Nearest road: Ward Canyon Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ward Canyon?+

Ward Canyon is reported to produce Red Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Ward Canyon?+

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 Ward Canyon?+

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 Ward Canyon?+

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

How do I get to Ward Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.04010, -109.28586 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ward Canyon Road.

More rockhounding in Arizona

See all 53 Arizona spots →

Open Ward Canyon on the map

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