Woods Mine: Bementite & Neotocite Rockhounding in Humboldt County, California

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County

Humboldt County

State

California

Nearest road

Dyerville Loop Road

Coordinates

40.20458, -123.70504

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Best time to visit Woods Mine

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 31°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RICHARDSON GR SP station (13 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Woods Mine

This spot sits on Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges), mapped as sandstone and mudstone that formed roughly 200 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

Franciscan Complex, unit 1 (Coast Ranges)

Age

200–66 Ma (Jurassic to Cretaceous)

Rock types

sandstone and mudstone

Elevation

2,840 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.

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