Best spot

Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove): Smoky Quartz & Topaz Rockhounding in Park County, Colorado

Updated June 2026

The Tarryall Mountains are one of the better topaz localities in the Pikes Peak region, with smoky quartz and pale amazonite in pegmatites of the Redskin Stock. Trails from Spruce Grove Campground on Pike National Forest lead to mine tailings where collectors have found smoky topaz. Personal-use collecting with hand tools is allowed on the surrounding open Forest Service ground. Reported finds include smoky quartz, topaz, amazonite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove) photos

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

1 photo

Clear topaz crystals, like the smoky and clear topaz found in the Tarryall Mountains

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Park County
State: Colorado
Coordinates: 39.13820, -105.46170

Geology at Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)

This spot sits on Rocks of Pikes Peak Batholith (1000-m.y. age group), mapped as granite and alkali feldspar granite that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 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: Rocks of Pikes Peak Batholith (1000-m.y. age group)
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: granite and alkali feldspar granite
Elevation: 8,500 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 Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F. At about 8,500 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CHEESMAN station (11 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 Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)

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 Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove).

Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove) FAQ

Where is Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)?+

Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove) is in Park County, Colorado, at 39.13820, -105.46170.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)?+

Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove) is reported to produce Smoky Quartz, Topaz, Amazonite.

Is collecting allowed at Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)?+

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 Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)?+

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 Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)?+

The most comfortable months at Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove) are March to November. At about 8,500 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Tarryall Mountains (Spruce Grove)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.13820, -105.46170 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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