Benitoite Mining Company: Rockhounding in Fresno County, California

Updated June 2026

Benitoite Mining Company is a mapped rockhounding spot in Fresno County, California. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Fresno County
State: California
Nearest road: Los Gatos Road
Postcode: 93210
Coordinates: 36.24241, -120.59728

Geology at Benitoite Mining Company

This spot sits on marine rocks, unit 1 (Upper Great Valley Sequence), mapped as sandstone and siltstone mudstone that formed roughly 100 to 66 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: marine rocks, unit 1 (Upper Great Valley Sequence)
Age: 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: sandstone and siltstone mudstone
Elevation: 1,810 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 Benitoite Mining Company

Best months: October to June. Typical highs run 97°F in midsummer and 61°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°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, PRIEST VALLEY station (7 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

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 California — Recreational mineral collecting
California Geological Survey
CDFW — Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Benitoite Mining Company.

Benitoite Mining Company FAQ

Where is Benitoite Mining Company?+

Benitoite Mining Company is in Fresno County, California, at 36.24241, -120.59728. Nearest road: Los Gatos Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Benitoite Mining Company?+

Benitoite Mining Company is on the rockhounding map but no minerals are listed in our reference. Open RockHoundR to see what other rockhounds have logged.

Is collecting allowed at Benitoite Mining Company?+

Pay-to-dig site. This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Benitoite Mining Company?+

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 Benitoite Mining Company?+

The most comfortable months at Benitoite Mining Company are October to June. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Benitoite Mining Company?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.24241, -120.59728 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Los Gatos Road.

More rockhounding in California

See all 97 California spots →

Open Benitoite Mining Company on the map

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