Tick Canyon: Chalcedony & Banded Agate Rockhounding in Los Angeles County, California

Updated June 2026

Tick Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Los Angeles County, California. Reported finds include chalcedony, banded agate, bloodstone. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Los Angeles County
State: California
Nearest road: Lost Canyon Road
Postcode: 91387
Coordinates: 34.42666, -118.39158

Geology at Tick Canyon

This spot sits on ground mapped as Young colluvium that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.

Mapped unit: Young colluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene to Holocene)
Elevation: 1,690 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 Tick Canyon

Best months: October to June. Typical highs run 94°F in midsummer and 63°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 47°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, NEWHALL 5NW station (12 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 California — Recreational mineral collecting
California Geological Survey
CDFW — Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Tick Canyon

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 Tick Canyon.

Tick Canyon FAQ

Where is Tick Canyon?+

Tick Canyon is in Los Angeles County, California, at 34.42666, -118.39158. Nearest road: Lost Canyon Road.

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

Tick Canyon is reported to produce Chalcedony, Banded Agate, Bloodstone.

Is collecting allowed at Tick 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 Tick 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 Tick Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Tick Canyon 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 Tick Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.42666, -118.39158 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lost Canyon Road.

More rockhounding in California

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Open Tick Canyon on the map

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