Best spot

Mount Antero: Aquamarine & Beryl Rockhounding in Chaffee County, Colorado

Updated June 2026

Mount Antero is the highest gem locality in the United States, with aquamarine and beryl occurring in granite cavities above timberline near its 14,269-foot summit. Aquamarine is Colorado's state gemstone, and the peak also yields phenakite, topaz, smoky quartz, and fluorite. The collecting ground lies in San Isabel National Forest, where the Forest Service permits casual hand-tool collecting for personal use on open land. Reported finds include aquamarine, beryl, phenakite, smoky quartz, fluorite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Mount Antero photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Aquamarine crystals with black schorl on feldspar, the gem beryl that makes Mount Antero famous

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Chaffee County
State: Colorado
Nearest road: Mount Antero Trail
Postcode: 81236
Coordinates: 38.67382, -106.24667

Geology at Mount Antero

This spot sits on ground mapped as Leucogranite of the California Mine that formed roughly 34 to 28 million years ago. Granitic ground like this typically carries quartz veins and pockets, and weathered crystals tend to collect in the soils and drainages below.

Mapped unit: Leucogranite of the California Mine
Age: 34–28 Ma (Early Oligocene)
Elevation: 14,180 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 Mount Antero

Best months: May to October. Typical highs run 68°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near -4°F. At about 14,180 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BUENA VISTA 2S station (12 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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Mount Antero

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 Mount Antero.

Mount Antero FAQ

Where is Mount Antero?+

Mount Antero is in Chaffee County, Colorado, at 38.67382, -106.24667. Nearest road: Mount Antero Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mount Antero?+

Mount Antero is reported to produce Aquamarine, Beryl, Phenakite, Smoky Quartz, Fluorite.

Is collecting allowed at Mount Antero?+

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 Mount Antero?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Mount Antero?+

The most comfortable months at Mount Antero are May to October. At about 14,180 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Mount Antero?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.67382, -106.24667 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mount Antero Trail.

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