Congress Mine: Gold Prospecting in Yavapai County, Arizona

Updated June 2026

Congress Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Yavapai County, Arizona. Reported finds include gold, pyrite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Yavapai County
State: Arizona
Nearest road: Ghost Town Road
Postcode: 85332
Coordinates: 34.19919, -112.85347

Geology at Congress Mine

This spot sits on granitic rocks, mapped as granite that formed roughly 1600 to 1400 million years ago. Gold in granitic terrain like this is typically tied to quartz veins along contacts and shear zones, with placer color in the streams that drain them.

Mapped unit: granitic rocks
Age: 1600–1400 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 3,290 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 Congress Mine

Best months: October to May. Typical highs run 100°F in midsummer and 61°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 30°F. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WICKENBURG station (17 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Congress Mine

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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Congress Mine.

Congress Mine FAQ

Where is Congress Mine?+

Congress Mine is in Yavapai County, Arizona, at 34.19919, -112.85347. Nearest road: Ghost Town Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Congress Mine?+

Congress Mine is reported to produce Gold, Pyrite.

Is collecting allowed at Congress Mine?+

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 Congress Mine?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Congress Mine?+

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

How do I get to Congress Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.19919, -112.85347 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ghost Town Road.

More rockhounding in Arizona

See all 53 Arizona spots →

Open Congress Mine on the map

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