Blue Valley: Black Agate Rockhounding in Beaver County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Blue Valley is a mapped rockhounding spot in Beaver County, Utah. Reported finds include black agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Beaver County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 38.17445, -112.61561

Geology at Blue Valley

This spot sits on Markagunt Megabreccia, Mount Dutton Formation, alluvial facies component, mapped as volcaniclastic mudflow breccia that formed roughly 34 to 16 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: Markagunt Megabreccia, Mount Dutton Formation, alluvial facies component
Age: 34–16 Ma (Early Oligocene to Early Miocene)
Rock types: volcaniclastic mudflow breccia
Elevation: 6,420 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 Blue Valley

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BEAVER CANYON PWR HOUSE station (10 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.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Utah — Rockhounding overview
Utah Geological Survey — collecting guidelines
SITLA — surface use rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Blue Valley

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Black Agate Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Blue Valley.

Blue Valley FAQ

Where is Blue Valley?+

Blue Valley is in Beaver County, Utah, at 38.17445, -112.61561.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Blue Valley?+

Blue Valley is reported to produce Black Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Blue Valley?+

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 Blue Valley?+

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 Blue Valley?+

The most comfortable months at Blue Valley are March to November.

How do I get to Blue Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.17445, -112.61561 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Blue Valley on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.