Copper Gulch: Garnet & Tourmaline Rockhounding in Beaver County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Copper Gulch is a mapped rockhounding spot in Beaver County, Utah. Reported finds include garnet, tourmaline. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Beaver County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Ely Highway
Coordinates: 38.47438, -113.27457

Geology at Copper Gulch

This spot sits on Intrusions, chiefly granitic, of various dates, mapped as granodiorite that formed roughly 38 to 16 million years ago. Granitic rock like this is where pegmatite pockets tend to occur, the coarse-crystal settings that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, mica, and feldspar.

Mapped unit: Intrusions, chiefly granitic, of various dates
Age: 38–16 Ma (Late Eocene to Early Miocene)
Rock types: granodiorite
Elevation: 7,150 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 Copper Gulch

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 5°F. At about 7,150 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WAH WAH RCH station (8 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 Copper Gulch

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 Copper Gulch.

Across the state line from Copper Gulch

Copper Gulch is close enough to the Utah border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Copper Gulch FAQ

Where is Copper Gulch?+

Copper Gulch is in Beaver County, Utah, at 38.47438, -113.27457. Nearest road: Ely Highway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Copper Gulch?+

Copper Gulch is reported to produce Garnet, Tourmaline.

Is collecting allowed at Copper Gulch?+

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 Copper Gulch?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Copper Gulch?+

The most comfortable months at Copper Gulch are March to November. At about 7,150 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Copper Gulch?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.47438, -113.27457 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ely Highway.

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