Willow Creek (permission required): Amethyst & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Mineral County, Colorado

Updated June 2026

Willow Creek (permission required) is a mapped rockhounding spot in Mineral County, Colorado. Reported finds include amethyst, chalcedony, sphalerite, silver, agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Mineral County
State: Colorado
Nearest road: West Willow Creek Road
Coordinates: 37.86997, -106.92924

Geology at Willow Creek (permission required)

This spot sits on Ash-flow tuff of main volcanic sequence, mapped as volcanic that formed roughly 34 to 23 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: Ash-flow tuff of main volcanic sequence
Age: 34–23 Ma (Oligocene)
Rock types: volcanic
Elevation: 9,230 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 Willow Creek (permission required)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F. At about 9,230 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CREEDE station (1 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Willow Creek (permission required)

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 Willow Creek (permission required).

Willow Creek (permission required) FAQ

Where is Willow Creek (permission required)?+

Willow Creek (permission required) is in Mineral County, Colorado, at 37.86997, -106.92924. Nearest road: West Willow Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Willow Creek (permission required)?+

Willow Creek (permission required) is reported to produce Amethyst, Chalcedony, Sphalerite, Silver, Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Willow Creek (permission required)?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Willow Creek (permission required)?+

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 Willow Creek (permission required)?+

The most comfortable months at Willow Creek (permission required) are March to November. At about 9,230 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Willow Creek (permission required)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.86997, -106.92924 in Google Maps. The nearest road is West Willow Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Colorado

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Open Willow Creek (permission required) on the map

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