Rock Springs Digging Area: Copper Rockhounding in Yavapai County, Arizona

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Yavapai County

State

Arizona

Nearest road

Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

Postcode

85324

Coordinates

34.04839, -112.14340

Geology at Rock Springs Digging Area

This spot sits on volcanic rocks, mapped as basalt, andesite, and dacite that formed roughly 41 to 7 million years ago. Copper minerals such as malachite and chrysocolla typically show up where mineralized rock like this has weathered and oxidized near old workings.

Mapped unit

volcanic rocks

Age

41–7 Ma (Late Eocene to Late Miocene)

Rock types

basalt, andesite, and dacite

Elevation

2,060 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 Rock Springs Digging Area

Best months: October to April. Typical highs run 105°F in midsummer and 69°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 43°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CASTLE HOT SPRINGS station (13 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 Rock Springs Digging Area

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

• CopperEncyclopedia →