San Francisco Mountains: Diopside & Fluorite Rockhounding in Beaver County, Utah

Updated June 2026

San Francisco Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Beaver County, Utah. Reported finds include diopside, fluorite, galena, garnet, pyrite, and more. 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: 38.45914, -113.30671

Geology at San Francisco Mountains

This spot sits on Ely Springs Dm, Eureka Qtz, Crystal Peak Dm, Watson Ranch Qzt, and the Pogonip Group, mapped as limestone and siltstone mudstone that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit: Ely Springs Dm, Eureka Qtz, Crystal Peak Dm, Watson Ranch Qzt, and the Pogonip Group
Age: 485–445 Ma (Early Ordovician to Late Ordovician)
Rock types: limestone and siltstone mudstone
Elevation: 6,220 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 San Francisco Mountains

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 9°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WAH WAH RCH station (7 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 San Francisco Mountains

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 San Francisco Mountains.

Across the state line from San Francisco Mountains

San Francisco Mountains 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.

San Francisco Mountains FAQ

Where is San Francisco Mountains?+

San Francisco Mountains is in Beaver County, Utah, at 38.45914, -113.30671. Nearest road: Ely Highway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at San Francisco Mountains?+

San Francisco Mountains is reported to produce Diopside, Fluorite, Galena, Garnet, Pyrite, Scheelite, Sphalerite, Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Goethite, Copper, Magnetite, Quartz, Zircon.

Is collecting allowed at San Francisco Mountains?+

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 San Francisco Mountains?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit San Francisco Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at San Francisco Mountains are February to June.

How do I get to San Francisco Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.45914, -113.30671 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ely Highway.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open San Francisco Mountains on the map

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